One of the finest, hard runs on the Plateau with many sweet, runnable drops and challenging rapids. 
Although rumours exist of a descent in the mid 1970s, the first recorded descent of this section was by crafty Melbourne and Brisbane paddlers who ‘stole’ the run from under the noses of the snoozing local paddlers in 1997. Those sad locals are still shaking their heads at the irony of overlooking one of the best and most obvious runs while off paddling many other lesser and more obscure ones. 
The section consists of long, flat pools interspersed by some awesome grade II-V rapids. Many of the harder rapids feature deep, clean drops of 4 to 6m in height, all of which are runnable. There is one almost definite portage, a 15m+ high triple waterfall, about two thirds of the way down the section which is best portaged via a long bushwhack on river-right. Take care at the lead-in to this rapid, which is shortly after a clean 4-6m drop. Once the Nymboida is reached, there are also some of the best rapids on the Nymboida left to go. 
Popularity:★★★
Quality:★★★★★
Reliability:★★★
Grade:Generally IV with several harder, optional rapids.
Length17km on the Bielsdown plus 6km on the Nymboida
Elevation and average gradient640m at put-in, 410m at take-out, 10m/km average (take into account there is a fair bit of flat water and it drops up to 25m/km in some sections).
Paddling time:A long day. Generally around 8 hours for fast parties.
Gauge and level:Bielsdown@Charlstd electronic gauge: 0.8m minimum but 1.0-1.2m is optimal. Over 1.2m gets very pushy. 
Put-in:The bridge where Coramba Road crosses the river, about 4km north of Dorrigo. Many people also put in further along Billings Road to save a couple of kilometres of flat water paddling at the start of the trip. 
Take-out:Platypus Flat on the Nymboida River.
Shuttle:Easy (2WD in dry conditions, AWD in wet conditions). It is almost equal timing to drive to Platypus Flat via Cascade, Moses Rock Road and Moonpar Road or via Dorrigo, Tyringham Road, Moonpar Road and Mills Road. But only one option goes via the Dorrigo Bakery.  
Maps:Map 11 Bielsdown River and Wild Cattle Creek
Dorrigo 1:25,000
Dundurrabin 1:25,000