Your guide to the New England to Mid North Coast independent bookstore trail

Bibliophiles, this one’s for you. From Armidale to the Mid North Coast and back, this independent book trail is designed for those seeking a slow-paced adventure that soaks up the beauty of the stunning New England, Waterfall Way and Mid North Coast regions, with a special emphasis on the sense of community bookstores bring us. Beginning in Armidale at the much-loved Reader’s Companion and Boobooks, this loop will take you through Bellingen, Woolgoolga, Nambucca, Port Macquarie, Wauchope, Walcha and Uralla. Take two days or five, but from the bottom of our regional lovin’ hearts, we hope you enjoy this journey just as much as we did writing it.

1. The Reader’s Companion, Armidale

Kicking off our independent bookstore trail is The Reader’s Companion in Armidale – an institution for book lovers everywhere. Located at the east end of the Armidale Mall, this bookstore boasts stunning aesthetics and is devoted to supplying the New England region with quality books from a diverse range of authors. Owned by Michelle and Roy Wheatly, The Reader’s Companion offers a cosy space to get lost among the huge selection of fiction, non-fiction, LPs, CDs, kids’ books and the kind of stationery everyone needs in their life. Best set aside an hour (at least) for your visit here – you can thank us later.

124 Beardy Street | Armidale NSW 2350 | (02) 6771 2544 | Website | Instagram | Facebook | Monday to Friday 10.00am–5.00pm (closed for lunch 12.15pm–1.00pm | Saturday 9.00am–1.00pm

2. Boobooks, Armidale

Boobooks in Armidale is another crowd favourite when searching for bookstores in the New England North West region. Stocking over 50,000 secondhand books as well as new titles, this bookstore also boasts a cafe, events space and online store. Discover a wide range of genres and titles including those that are rare and collectable, local, and classic. Find literature on local and Australian history, role-playing games and much more. A regular hangout for those who love books, coffee, tea and board games, this bookstore is more than a store – it’s a cherished place for many who come together and celebrate their mutual adoration of art, words, music and community. PS – did you know that Boobooks also hosts regular open mic nights and live music events? Be sure to check out their social media pages for more info.

176 Beardy Street | Armidale NSW 2350 | (02) 6771 2994 | Website | Facebook | Instagram | Monday to Friday 10.00am–5.00pm | Saturday 9.00am–1.00pm | Last Sunday of the month (in conjunction with the Armidale Markets in the Mall) 9.00am–1.00pm

3. Bellinger Book Nook, Bellingen

Now it’s time to hit the road! After spending some time exploring treasures within The Reader’s Companion and Boobooks in Armidale, it’s time to head down the mountain along the breathtaking Waterfall Way. Known as the place where you’ll find ‘olde books and recycled reading’ Bellinger Book Nook in Bellingen is home to secondhand books you’ll be hard-pressed to find elsewhere, and is the first stop along our Mid North Coast route. Boasting books for all ages at affordable prices, work written by local authors as well as your cult classics, you’re sure to find something you’ll love here.

4/25 Hyde Street | Bellingen NSW 2454 | 0448 795 924 | Facebook | Instagram | Thursday to Saturday 10.00am–4.00pm

4. Alternatives Bookshop, Bellingen

Alternatives Bookshop in Bellingen is also conveniently located on Hyde Street, close to cafes, boutiques and just a hop, skip and a jump away from  the town’s world-class gelato shop. Owned by local climate change warrior John Ross, this bookstore sells books by authors from all walks of life, with a special focus on – you guessed it – books that are alternative or stray from mainstream media. Check them out next time you’re in Bello!

105 Hyde Street | Bellingen NSW 2454 | (02) 6655 2249 | Monday to Tuesday 10.00am–3.00pm | Thursday to Saturday 10.00am–3.00pm

5. Magpie Books, Woolgoolga

After visiting Bellingen it’s time to merge onto the Pacific Highway, following it all the way to the seaside town of Woolgoolga (lovingly known as Woopi). Selling both secondhand and new books, books on new age spirituality and card decks, vinyls and CDs, this store in Woopi is much loved for its diverse range of reading material. You’ll find Magpie Books on Beach Street, perfectly positioned to grab some new reading material before heading to the beach.

Unit 1/44 Beach Street | Woolgoolga NSW 2456 | 0418 651 723 | Website | Facebook | Monday 10.00am–4.00pm | Tuesday to Friday 10.00am–5.00pm | Saturday 10.00am–2.00pm

6. Bookshop Cafe, Nambucca Heads

Is there a better combination than books and hot beverages? We don’t think so, especially if that hot beverage is coffee. From Woolgoolga to Nambucca Heads, we find ourselves at the Bookshop Cafe (just in time for morning tea). Selling delicious food made from fresh ingredients, piping hot coffee and a wonderful selection of books, this store on the Coffs Coast deserves a spot on your book trail list. Loosely translated to ‘entrance to the waters’ in the local First Nations language, Nambucca Heads is a stunning destination framed by gorgeous sandy white beaches and top-notch fishing spots. So, if it’s a beachside vacay you’re after, kicking back in Nambucca with a book in hand might be just the kind of break you’ve been dreaming of.

21-23 Bowra Street | Nambucca Heads NSW 2448 | (02) 6568 5855 | Website | Facebook | Monday to Friday 8.30am–3.30pm | Saturday 8.00am–12.00pm

7. Flynns Book and Record Cafe, Port Macquarie

Next, we take a turn down the Pacific Highway and keep driving until we arrive at Flynn’s Beach Book and Record shop in Port Macquarie. Selling secondhand and antique books and records, this store is packed to the rafters with books, CDs, records, DVDs and old magazines just waiting to be discovered. Feeling peckish after your drive? Lucky for you, this quirky bookstore is just around the corner from the Coco Cartel Bakery, Roam cafe, and restaurants selling woodfired pizza and delicious Italian-style pasta.

1/4 Flynn Street | Port Macquarie NSW 2444 | 0419 143 134 | Facebook | Instagram | Tuesday to Friday 10.00am–5.00pm | Saturday 10.00am–3.00pm

8. RetroMe, Wauchope

Now it’s time we turn home, dear bibliophile, but not before we make a pit stop in Wauchope. If it’s nostalgia you’re seeking, you’ll love RetroMe, located in Cameron Street. Although not technically a bookstore, RetroMe has shelves lined with secondhand books that will practically beg you to take them home, and with prices this good, it would be rude not to. Whether it’s the Harry Potter collection or an antique book you’re searching for, there’s a good chance you’ll find it hidden here among the Betty Boop paraphernalia, vintage teapots and 1980s smocks that RetroMe is bursting with – talk about vibes. And now that your bags are full of good reads, we need to talk about Baked Culture – Wauchope’s home of fresh pastries, strong coffee, and darn good sourdough bread. We 10/10 recommend you stop by this bakery before heading back up the mountain.

1/68 Cameron Street | Wauchope NSW 2446 | 0401 186 367 | Facebook | Instagram | Monday to Friday 10.00am–3.00pm | Saturday 10.00am–2.00pm

9. Burnett’s Books, Uralla

Ending our independent bookstore trail is Burnett’s Books in Uralla. Located on Bridge Street, the town’s main drag, this bookstore is conveniently situated right next door to the Alternate Root Cafe. Packed from floor to ceiling with old books, maps and prints, Burnett’s is a book collector’s heaven – people could lose hours (and do) browsing through owner Ross Burnett’s collection. Visiting during winter? Escape the crisp Highland air and cosy up next to the roaring wood-fired heater inside with your new favourite book, or meander through and read each title, spine by spine. Open daily, Burnett’s Books is a welcome escape from the world outside, perfectly suited to those who enjoy browsing with minimal interruption.

46 Bridge Street | Uralla NSW 2358 | (02) 6778 4682 | Monday to Friday 9.00am–4.00pm | Saturday to Sunday 10.00am–3.00pm

Meg Miller

Digital Marketing Manager. Adventure seeking writer, free spirit, smitten aunt and dog mum.