A warm day in Bellingen is the closest thing to paradise I think I’ve experienced. I think back on this particular day and I feel like my memories are being played through a mellow Instagram filter. This day was one of the most perfect I’ve had.

It was Easter-time 2013, and my parents and brother were up visiting me and Simon when we lived in Sawtell. The weather was exceptional, like the perfect warm day that Australia is so famous for. The sky was blue, the occasional white and wispy, cirrus cloud could be seen. There was a small, cool breeze.

We drove away from the coast, slightly inland through the farmlands to get there. When you arrive, you’re greeted with rows of pretty shops and pubs, most with pretty, ornate and old-fashioned verandahs. Bellingen likes its verandahs.

So once you’ve gotten over how adorable the main street is (and this may take a while), you’re instantly drawn down to the river. Yes, there’s a beautiful river that runs through the town, just off the main street. It’s called ‘The Bellinger’ and the locals come to swim here on hot days.

I sat on the riverbank with my feet in the cool and crystal clear water as my dad and brother floated downstream with the current.

My mum sat a little ways away from me with the family dogs: Gemma and Olive who also came on the trip to the North Coast. Simon, like mum, also a little further up the bank from me. It was as though we all needed our own time to remember the day, to put away the feeling, the scenery, the warmth, that river into a special place.

Simon laid back on the grass and a small poodle ran up to him and started licking his face. Her name was Noodles and she was adorable.

Everyone was in good spirits. Everyone was mesmerised by the natural beauty and serenity that Bellingen just gives off in spades.

Later in the afternoon, after many samplings of food around town, we drove into North Bellingen, also known as Glennifer or The Promised Land. Immense mountains loomed above us as we weaved through the valley. The Bellinger connecting it all, and branching off in all directions to create other rivers and creeks, other oases for visitors to scape to. We stopped at one of these, called the Never Never Creek. I sat on a rock by the water with Gemma, my parent’s border collie x cattle dog, where we just relaxed and watched as everyone explored the surroundings, skimmed rocks and paddled in the water once more.

We drove home late in the afternoon, tired but content, feeling like we’d all been a part of something bigger than ourselves.

I wish I could just keep going. I wish I knew more words to describe Bellingen and the surrounding scenery. I wish I could show you the memories. Sadly, I can’t. So you’ll just have to go there and create your own.