The cottage was superb for us. If only we had more time on the trip to sink into its attractions. It is a wonderfully finished, separate cottage sharing Shani's property but with as much or as little interaction as you wish - and that goes for the dog and chooks as well!
It is centrally located within Bellingen but very quiet, so you can use it as a base to meander around town, or retreat for a snooze on the day bed on the veranda, shaded by the Mulberry tree, or explore by car the localities nearby (e.g., Never Never, Dark Woods).
Shani was great - very helpful and a natural host, so if you want to stay in Bellingen or had not thought of it, be sure to plan to stay here.