Former Commonwealth and NAB banks sold in Bellingen on NSW Mid-North Coast

Two former bank buildings in a small Mid-North Coast town have been sold within days of each other – sending the rumour mill into overdrive. Find out what’s going on.

The old NAB bank at 96 Hyde Street, Bellingen.

Two former bank buildings have been snapped up by the same owner in the heart of the picturesque Mid-North Coast town of Bellingen.

Sydneysiders Simon and Sarah Haggarty, who own luxury wedding venue Goonoo-Goonoo Station near Tamworth, have form when it comes to reimagining heritage buildings to offer unique venues and accommodation.

At Goonoo-Gonooo the original homestead, along with woolsheds and a gardener’s cottage, have been converted into luxury accommodation options.

They hope to do a similar thing with the two banks on Hyde Street.

Sarah and Simon Haggarty with their children Abigail and Imogen.

Goonoo Goonoo Station at Tamworth.

The Haggartys own a holiday house at the nearby coastal village of Repton and have often noticed the former NAB building on the western side of town up near the war memorial in need of some love.

“We’ve seen it sitting empty a number of times over the years and thought it deserved better,” Mr Haggarty said.

During their recent trip they were on their way to dinner at a local restaurant and noticed the for sale sign outside the former Commonwealth Bank building down the street which failed to sell at auction in October and has been used as a publishing house since the early 90s.

The former Commonwealth Bank building on Hyde Street in the heart of Bellingen.

“We had been looking at coastal areas to do something similar (to Goonoo-Goonoo Station) and these are two of the most impressive buildings in the main street,” Mr Haggarty said.

Bellingen is located in the Coffs Harbour hinterland, inland from the beaches at Urunga along the Waterfall Way – keep heading up the mountains and you’ll reach the stunning rainforest and waterfalls of Dorrigo.

The town is well known for its hippy heritage hosting festivals and monthly markets, with plenty of live music and fine dining options now available, including the new Bellingen outpost of Three Blue Ducks.

The former Commonwealth Bank building on Hyde Street in the heart of Bellingen .

The former Commonwealth Bank building on Hyde Street .

The former Commonwealth Bank building at 34 Hyde Street in the heart of Bellingen has been sold.

Both banks are situated in the heart of town with the iconic pink art deco building at 34 Hyde Street sold by Ray White’s Lindsay Tutt to the Haggartys for $2.5 million.

He had hoped to get $3 million for the building which has been fully renovated over two levels and includes three bedrooms, two bathrooms, a kitchen and kitchenette.

It features a landscaped garden on 937 square metres, with a large rear entertaining deck.

Next door is the renovated Memorial Hall and across the road is the Bellingen Shire Council offices and park, where concerts and community celebrations are often held.

The old NAB bank at 96 Hyde Street, Bellingen.

The old NAB bank at 96 Hyde Street, Bellingen.

The NAB building is zoned both commercial and residential with five bedrooms upstairs and deep verandas overlooking town and the distant mountains.

It has an impressive timber staircase and retains three of the original fireplaces - a true work of art according to agent John Simon from Open Home Online who sold it to the Haggartys for $2.6 million.

Mr Simon says the real estate market in Bellingen has taken a dive of about 15 per cent since the peak in 2021, but that interest in the town remains strong as it is such a popular destination.

“Many of my clients are deciding between the Byron Bay hinterland and Bellingen and eighty per cent end up here.”

He says the town is “crying out” for accommodation options.

The Haggartys haven’t put a timeframe on their boutique accommodation plans but say the next step is liaising with council to see what’s possible.