Whether you are looking for a romantic getaway, adventure or to rejuvenate, NSW Northern Rivers offers an exceptional holiday escape. Nimbin is one place you should add to your bucket list!
Nimbin Village NSW Australia
Nimbin has its own unique lifestyle and culture that’s unlike any place you will find in the Northern NSW region. It is located 30 minutes north of Lismore, which is one of the largest town and coastal cities in the region and the coast of Byron Bay is approximately an 80-minute drive.
Northern Rivers region of NSW Australia is managed by seven local government areas which encompass the shires of Ballina, Byron, Clarence, Kyogle, Lismore, Richmond and Tweed. Situated on the far north coast of NSW, the region extends south from the Queensland border to the Clarence Valley, and inland from the Pacific to the Great Dividing Range.
Northern Rivers Region
The region is renowned for its beautiful beaches, scenic drives, lush rainforests, country towns, quirky villages and major waterways such as the Clarence, Richmond and Tweed. Nearby to Nimbin are three World Heritage Listed rainforests including Protesters Falls, the site of Australia’s first successful anti-logging campaign.
The Nightcap National Park is part of the Gondwana Rainforests of Australia World Heritage Area. The beautiful park is an ancient rainforest with enchanting waterways and remarkable views. With easy access from Nimbin, visitors can enjoy a picnic, bushwalk or overnight camping expedition amid the park's escarpments, waterfalls and crystal-clear creeks and soak up the incredible views of the 20 million-year-old Wollumbin Tweed shield volcano.
History of Nimbin and 1973 Aquarius Festival
In the 1840s, Nimbin was predominately ‘timber’ until the industry declined, and later turned to dairy and banana farming country, until its decline in the 1960s.
Back in the 1960s, Northern NSW was a ‘Hippies’ Haven. Today, the village of Nimbin is internationally famous and infamous after the 12-day Aquarius Festival in 1973. Large groups of university students, alternative lifestyle practitioners, visionaries, 'hippies' and party people ascended on the village, like the ‘Woodstock’ festival in the United States.
The festival event organised by the Australian Union of Students was the first in Australia that sought permission for use of land from the traditional owners and an important attempt at reconciliation. Nimbin was also the first-ever lodged application of group title ownership of land in Australia. Hundreds of festival goers remained in Nimbin after the festival and communes sprouted in the hills in the 70s and 80s in search of an alternative lifestyle.
Long after the Aquarius Festival the region attracts writers, artists, musicians, actors, film makers, hippies, alternate therapists, environmentalists and permaculture enthusiasts by the thousands, as well as curious tourists and young families escaping city living. Although, Byron Bay, Australia is referred to as the ‘Hippie Capital’, Nimbin is 100% Hippieville and is the ‘alternative’ capital of Australia!
Cannabis
It is prohibited to cultivation, possession or sell cannabis in NSW and is punishable by law, however, cannabis is openly bought, sold and consumed in Nimbin and most visitors are offered ‘pot’ whilst walking around the village.
The Nimbin Hemp Embassy is a non-profit making organisation established in 1992 that actively promotes cannabis law reform by educating the community. The Embassy generates some of it operating costs by selling hemp-based products and local art and craft.
Nimbin Today
Today, Nimbin is a popular tourist destination with visitors from around the globe. The quirky streetscape is the heart of the existing village with its brightly coloured bench seats, psychedelic mural shopfronts, distinctive indigenous art and abundance of buzzing cafes serving wholesome and unusual food.
The village also features captivating places such as the H.E.M.P. Embassy, Rainbow Power Company, Art Galleries, Djanbung Permaculture Gardens, Candle Factory, Information and Environment Centres. Visitors are entertained by local and international buskers’ and can sample delicious foods from street stalls.
Nimbin Markets
The unique and colourful ‘Nimbin Markets’ are held every 4th and 5th Sunday of each month in the Nimbin Community Centre on Cullen Street. The markets feature a variety of arts and craft stalls, local handmade jewellery, upcycled, vintage and new clothing as well as homewares, great local and organic gourmet produce stalls.
A ‘Farmers Market’ is held every Wednesday in the Greenbank Carpark on Cullen Street where market visitors are delightfully entertained by local musicians and buskers in a relaxed festive atmosphere. A visit to the markets is a unique experience and extremely satisfying day out. Check out the Nimbin Market Calendar and online events at the https://www.visitnimbin.com.au/market-calendar
Nimbin Candle Factory
Nimbin Candle Factory is located in the historic Nimbin Butter Factory, just north of the township. Rob Allan started the business in 1973 after Rob joined the wave of students travelling to Nimbin for the Alternative Lifestyle festival known as the Aquarius Festival and stayed. He established himself on a farm on the outskirts of Nimbin and set about providing the expanding population of Nimbin and its surrounding areas, with a smokeless candle which could be burnt in confined conditions such as tents, tepees, caravans and huts. Word soon spread, and demand grew allowing Nimbin candles to expand its production by relocating into the Old Nimbin Butter Factory in 1990. Rob sold his legacy to the current owners Craig and Lisa Fry in 2004, a family passionate and dedicated to keeping the dying craft of candle making alive. All the Nimbin Candles are handcrafted using the traditional method of dipping the wicks continuously to produce a perfect candle every time. For further information and opening hours visit: Nimbin Candle Factory website.
Nimbin Major Events
May Event
Since 1993, the Nimbin MardiGrass Festival has become an annual May event that celebrates and protests the current drug laws, an opportunity to educate the public on the various uses of cannabis (medicinal, industrial, recreational and spiritual) and a colourful celebration of the culture that has grown in Nimbin over the last 40 plus years.
August Event
The Nimbin Poetry World Cup is held each year in August, where hundreds of poets perform in heats held in various cafes in Nimbin. The grand final event is held on the Sunday at the Nimbin Town Hall.
September Event
The Nimbin Show is a traditional agricultural show with livestock, poultry and dog trials plus arts and crafts and delicious fresh produce. The agricultural show promotes sustainable natural farming methods and visitors can taste test food from paddock to plate.
Nimbin Accommodation
The accommodation options are endless in Nimbin and surrounding areas from B&B, youth hostels, backpackers, cottages, cabins, farmhouses, guesthouses and retreats. For further accommodation options book online at Visit Lismore website
Happy Coach Tours
Jump on board a psychedelic bus for the ultimate tour experience to Australia’s most iconic hippie destination and alternative lifestyle capital, Nimbin. The coach departs from Byron Bay and visits several iconic destinations and landmarks. Experienced tour guides share their fascinating knowledge of the area whilst you soak up the picturesque views on the region. Enjoy an afternoon exploring the vibrant and quirky streets of Nimbin and a gourmet lunch prepared by your tour guide before journeying back to beautiful Byron Bay. For Happy Coach Tours information visit the website
The Final Word on Nimbin
There's more to Nimbin than just the colourful shop fronts and its eye-catching residents. It's a cultural melting pot of interesting people coming together with diverse life-skills from different lifestyles. This is the reason why Nimbin is both unique and special.
