Nimbin Visitor Guide 2017

nimbin

v i s it n i mbin . co m. au

contents

2 nimbin on the cover: Chris Meagher, Aquarius Festival, Nimbin, May 1973 v i s it n i m b i n .co m .a u

v i si t n i m b i n.co m.a u

living nimbin

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living history

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wellbeing 8 scenic drives + walks

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nimbin map

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markets + events

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nimbin accommodation

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living nimbin west

Nimbin, tucked away in the hills was once a sleepy little dairying village in a lush setting of farmland and forest.

of Byron Bay,

The Aquarius Festival of 1973 changed the face and community of Nimbin forever.

The little village was transformed into the heart of Australia’s progressive alternative lifestyle movement.

Nimbin became a mecca for hippies, environmentalists, creatives and pioneers in alternative energy, agriculture and sustainable living.

Today, Nimbin is known the world over as Australia’s hippie destination and one of the world’s alternative lifestyle capitals.

This village is internationally famous for its intriguing and quirky streetscape, its enchanting Indigenous and psychedelic mural facades, and its colourful local characters.

With an eclectic array of cafés and shops the village also features fascinating places like the H.E.M.P. Embassy, Nimbin Environment Centre, the Rainbow Power Company, Nimbin Artists Gallery, the Djanbung Permaculture Gardens and the Nimbin Candle Factory.

3 Nimbin is known the world over as Australia’s hippie destination...

living nimbin

Nimbin is surrounded by three World Heritage-listed rainforests, including

Protesters Falls, the site

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‘May the long time sun shine upon you, all love surround you...’

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of Australia’s first successful anti-logging campaign.

The 1979 campaign, known as the Terania Creek Protest, lasted four weeks and assured the survival of NSW’s rainforests.

Nimbin is the perfect place to rest awhile, relax, rejuvenate and let Mother Nature work her charms. You can stay in cabins on the edge of the rainforest, in a guesthouse or backpackers, or perhaps in a

teepee with a gorgeous mountain view.

“May the long time sun shine upon you, all love surround you, and the pure light within you, guide your way home.”

– Aquarius Festival Anthem adapted from the “original string band’ song by Paul Joseph

nimbin visitor information centre Shop 3/46 Cullen Street Nimbin, NSW 2480 02 6689 1388

visitnimbin.com.au

• spelt, sourdough & artisan breads • pies, pasties & sausage rolls • rolls, sandwiches & burgers • Botero coffee, cakes, slices & treats • birthday & special order cakes 52 Cullen Street, Nimbin Monday to Friday 6am to 4.30pm Saturday 6am to 3pm

02 6689 1769

Manufacturing non-toxic, handdipped, traditionally made candles

open 7 days 9 to 5 Monday to Friday 11 to 4 weekends & public holidays.

Unit 5, Old Butter Factory 2 Blue Knob Rd, Nimbin NSW 2480

nimbincandles.com.au 02 6689 1010

living history

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a few intrepid souls stayed on to live the dreams

Nimbin holds a special place in the Aboriginal culture.

Nimbin and its surrounding ranges are rich with stories reaching back to the dreamtime. Nimbin Rocks is an extremely significant cultural site, home to Nyimbunji, a little spirit man with great powers who watched over country.

The early European settlers penetrated the Nimbin valley for timber in the 1840s.

The area was first subdivided in 1903 and gazetted in 1906.

As the timber industry declined, cleared land was turned into a thriving dairy and banana farming district.

Bundjalung

visit nimbin.com. au

Nimbin shot to fame when it hosted the 1973 Aquarius Festival, attracting students, hippies and visionaries from all over Australia.

Once the bands left and the dust settled, a few intrepid souls stayed on to live the dreams and ideology of Aquarius, sowing the seeds for today’s vibrant sustainable community.

The international fame that followed the Aquarius Festival also brought an influx of new settlers seeking an alternative lifestyle away from the city.

Four decades later, it is this alternative culture for which Nimbin is still internationally renowned.

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wellbeing

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unwind with yoga, pilates, acupuncture, reflexology, aromatherapy, massage...

Invigorate your mind, body and soul in a region renowned for its therapies, practitioners and retreats. Find inner peace at a meditation retreat, take a walk on a rainforest trail, or explore ways to save the earth.

alternative

Unwind with yoga, acupuncture, reflexology, aromatherapy, massage, reiki and day spa treatments with one of our many qualified practitioners. You’re sure to find something to lift your spirits!

If you’re seeking spiritual guidance, get an astrology, tarot or psychic reading

30 YEARS OF SOLAR SOLUTIONS! 2017 marks our 30th year in business at the Rainbow Power Company!

Clients past and present have come to appreciate our reputable and reliable service in solar solutions.

We provide systems that suit your budget, consisting of top quality components and skilled installation.

We stand by our warranties and are still here after 30 years to be able to do that.

Providing the latest in technologies including top quality brands like Tesla, Trina, SMA, Victron, Pramac, Lorentz, Grundfos, Aquatec, BAE, LG, Raylite, Sonnenschein and Sundaya.

Call the company you can trust ... Going strong since 1987

Phone: 02 6689 1430 or visit www.rpc.com.au v i si t n i m b i n.co m.a u

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or commune with one of our local swamis, gurus, shamans, soothsayers or prognosticators. It’s all part of the enchanting Nimbin experience.

Getting in touch with nature is certainly a great way to give your mind and body a well-deserved

hemp & bamboo clothes wacky souvenirs & novelties

break. You could take a leisurely stroll, bushwalk in a nearby national park or take a more extensive hike.

There are beautiful rainforests and waterfalls to keep you thoroughly enthralled and delighted.

local products ethical choices sustainable living massage

a healthy lifestyle investment

4/45 cullen street nimbin

02 6689 0024

shop online at hempingaround.com

1/39 cullen street nimbin

02 6689 1881

facebook.com/TheGreenBankNimbin instagram.com/thegreenbanknimbin

scenic drives + walks

as beautiful

With a countryside there are just so many scenic drives that we’ll have you exploring for days, even weeks, if you like!

as ours

To get you started we have a couple of recommended drives below and a few more of our scenic drives in the Lismore section of this publication.

Nimbin to Border Ranges (Full day, easy-moderate)

the track meanders through rainforest for a kilometre

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Head out along Blue Knob Road until you reach Blue Knob Hall Gallery & Café. After the Blue Knob Gallery & Cafe, take the next left down Lillian Rock Road. At the end turn right, towards Murwillumbah, on the Kyogle/Muwillumbah Road, and then left into Creegan Road, which becomes Tweed Range Scenic Drive. This 64km gravel road traverses the eastern plateau of the World Heritage rainforest from Lillian Rock to Wiangaree and takes a leisurely 3-4 hours. highlights • Blue Knob Hall Gallery & Café (open Thursday to Sunday) is perfect for lunch

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• Lillian Rock is a sacred landmark • The Pinnacle walk and lookout offers dramatic views of the Wollumbin (Mt Warning) Caldera

Nimbin to Nightcap National Park (3km, 1.5 hours, easy-moderate) Enjoy Mt Nardi and the Matheson Loop by heading out through the lush rainforest encircling Mt Matheson. Drier vegetation communities are found near cliff edges.

Depart Nimbin along Sibley St past the Bowling Club. Several kilometres out of town on the Tuntable Falls Road turn right for the Channon. Follow this road which becomes Newton Drive to Mount Nardi.)

Pholis Gap (4km, 1.5 hours, moderate) Beginning at Mt Nardi the track meanders through rainforest for a kilometre before splitting off the Mt Matheson Loop and descending towards the escarpment edge.

Walk to Pholis Gap which offers views of the surrounding valleys.

fto

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Factory Candle and ong Bringabnix Rising e o & Ph Café

Nimbin Backpackers Granny's Farm

GUNGA

Tennis Courts

VILLAGE MAP S ROA D

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Cullen Bridge

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SILKY OAK DRIVE

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To Blue Knob Gallery & Murwillumbah

YHA Hoste l Rainbo Retrea w t

Catholic Church

THORB

Nimbin Markets held here

URN S TREET Uniting Church

URN S TREET

Oasis Cafe

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Pizza

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InformationP Centre (

Cafés Telephone Post Office The Green Bank

no ca ravan s)

Swimming Pool

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Rainbow Power Company

Susukka Trading Craft Gallery Hotel & Bistro (ATM) Hemp Embassy & Hemp Bar Artists Gallery Town Hall P Perceptio

Daizy Happy High Herbs

Hemping Around, and Laundry

Presbyterian Church Vinnies Op Shop Police

Medical Centre

CECIL Anglican Church

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Sports Field

Hospital

CULLE N ST REET

et (ATM) Supermark ) Bank (ATM Chemist Café ntre Ce t en Environm ecary th po A , Naturopath kery Nimbin Ba Café -Op Nimbin Co ery tt a H Mad ng Fashionati Tattoo Terra Creative

Bowling Club Picnic Area

Caravan Park

STREET

Optometrist Rainbow Lane

“Peace Park”

Park

P Café Tribal Magic

Skate Park

AY

NNIC

CULLEN

Ozkat Newsagent

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n no an h C e ap k Th htc Par g o i T N nal & atio N

ER

Art Gallery

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REET SIBLEY ST

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ALT

Community Centre

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Toilet Hairdressers

Petrol & Auto Centre

THORB

STREE

T to Dja n Permac bung ulture Garden s

Nimbin Showground

to Lismore and Nimbin Rocks viewing area (no access to Nimbin Rock s)

P Parking B Bus Stop

NIMBIN ROAD

Grey Gum Lodge

HIGH STREET (PLEASE RECYCLE THIS MAP , OR PASS IT ON)

Teretre Cabins

Nimbin Visitor Centre 02 6689 1388 www.visitnimbin.com.au NOT TO SCALE The publisher accepts no responsibility for any damage, loss, or action by any party arising from the use of this map.

markets+events

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April

September

Autumn Arts Extravaganza An annual exhibition curated by the Nimbin Artists’ Gallery. The 4-week show is staged in the Nimbin Town Hall and is one of the largest

Blue Moon Cabaret Held in March, September and November.

A wonderfully diverse array of the performance arts: comedy, poetry, music, dance, acrobatics and circus. The licensed events feature an evening of fine food, wines and stunning entertainment that has developed into sell-out shows over the years.

exhibitions in the region. May Nimbin MardiGrass A law reform rally held on the first weekend in May. Highlights of the Nimbin MardiGrass include the street parade, Hemp Olympics, workshops, forums, comedy, live music and political discussions.

Nimbin A&I Show A traditional agricultural show with horses, cattle, poultry, wood chopping, dog trials, art, craft, fruit, vegetables and horticulture. It’s a sustainable farming expo, promoting natural farming methods and building technologies, with an opportunity to sample food and wares from paddock to plate.

August Performance Poetry World Cup Poets from all over Australia and beyond gather to perform at this entertaining event.

Heats are held in the School of Arts Town Hall allwith the grand final on Sunday evening.

H BU S

F A C T O R Y M U LT I V

Spring Arts Exhibition The exhibition presents an incredible variety of works by Nimbin’s finest artists, craft workers, designers, photographers and installation artists. The show is held annually during the spring school holidays with many local, interstate and international visitors attending.

markets Nimbin Market 4th & 5th Sunday Nimbin Community Centre, Cullen St, Nimbin 8am-3pm Farmers’ Market Every Wednesday The Greenbank Carpark, 39 Cullen St, Nimbin.

3pm-6pm Blue Knob Farmers’ Market Every Saturday 719 Blue Knob Rd, Lillian Rock. 8.30am-12pm.

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R e Music * Theatre * C SE v i L afé ts * OPEN EVERY DAY Ar

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... a visit to Nimbin isn’t truly complete until you’ve been here

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immerse yourself...

soundtrails Nimbin Soundtrails is an immersive audio experience.

From Dreamtime to farming time to Aquarius time, this Soundtrail is a sonic journey through the heart of Australia’s most famous alternative lifestyle destination.

Download the app onto your smart phone or iPad, see yourself on a GPS map and walk freely in and out of sound fields; a rich weave of memories, voices, myths and archival footage.

nimbin accommodation

With original compositions, local voices, and world class production.

Crofton’s Retreat Motel & Eco Cabins Self-contained 360 Crofton Road, Nimbin 02 6689 0030 croftonsretreat.com.au

• Air-conditioning • Pet friendly • WiFi • Pool • Bush walking tracks and creek • Views of Nimbin Rocks • Short scenic 5 min drive from Nimbin • Farm Animals

retreat

b&b/guesthouse

Nimbin Caravan Park

Teretre Cabins

Caravan Park 29 Sibley Street, Nimbin 02 6689 1402

Self-contained 5 High Street, Nimbin 02 6689 1908 teretre.com.au

An oasis within the vibrant and colourful village of Nimbin.

• Perfect base to discover Nimbin • Adjacent to Nimbin Pool and skate park • Large shaded camping area • Powered and non powered van sites • BBQ facilities, camp kitchen and Laundry • 2 double cabins plus a 12 bed bunk house

self-contained

caravan park

backpackers

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Teretre welcomes you to experience colourful Nimbin in a relaxed bushland setting.

Nestled on 33 acres are 4 cosy one-bedroom timber cabins within easy walking distance to the village.

We offer all the mods and cons at an affordable price. Group booking requests in advance and pets are most welcome upon request.