You only need to look at the various place names on a map of Coffs Coast to locate one of our purest and most magical places of all - Promised Land.
This tranquil part of the Bellinger Valley is rolling pastures of the greenest green you’ve ever seen. They are bordered by lush sub-tropical bushland and backed by the mountain escarpment of the Great Dividing Range in
Dorrigo National Park.
Promised Land starts at the township of Gleniffer, with a handful of houses and the Glennifer Hall and Church next to the Never Never Creek, 12km from
Bellingen.
On warmer weekends, Never Never Creek is a popular spot for families, couples and groups of friends enjoying a picnic and a swim or just a stroll around the shallow parts of the crystal clear river.
There are places along the river where people park their cars to roll out their picnic blanket or take a dip. One spot that’s easy to locate and access is Arthur Keough Park. This is on the north bank of the Never Never Creek, just after Gleniffer Road becomes Promised Land Road.
Make sure you bring everything you need, as there are no shops nearby. A towel and your swimmers are a must, because even if you hadn’t planned to go in, one look at the clear, refreshing water will make anyone want to get at least their feet wet.
If you’re keen to see more, bring your boots and go for a walk through the bush along the creek. Several deeper swimming holes are a bit further up-stream.
The quickest and probably most popular way to admire the breathtaking landscape is to take a drive along Promised Land Loop by following the Promised Land Road. Numerous stunning properties can be marvelled at along the way.
You can get to Promised Land via Bellingen by crossing the Bellinger River and following the signs to Glennifer. There is also a shortcut from Coffs Harbour by turning into Gleniffer Road to Valery from Pine Creek Way (the old Pacific Highway) at Bonville, and continuing east on Timboon Road (includes some unsealed sections) through Tuckers Nob State Forest until you reach Gleniffer.