Entries about nimbin

In May 1973, thousands of students and other 'alternative' groups arrived in the sleepy village of Nimbin. They came from all over Australia and overseas to attend the 'Aquarius Festival'. The festival captured the optimistic and reformist mood of the time - following and success of the national student struggle to end conscription and Australia's involvement in the Vietnam War.
The festival was an exploitation of the counter-culture and a reaction to consumerism. There was a vibrant exchange of ideas about different ways to achieve greater creative expression as well as harmony with nature and spirituality.

Nimbin was chosen because of the valley's natural beauty, the amenities of the village and its relative isolation from authorities. However, it was a tough economic time for Nimbin and many shop fronts were vacant. The festival organisers committed to 'recycle' and invigorate the village. The festival lasted ten days. Many left the festival and made lifestyle changes, while some decided to stay. In the following years, so-called 'new settlers' bought up farming properties and established alternative lifestyle communities.

For years after, Nimbin was known as the 'Alternative Capital of Australia' and the legacy of that cultural creativity and innovation can still be seen and heard in Nimbin today.

It's not often you can walk down a street an openly be offered drugs, but I think we found the 'park' for the evenings' entertainment so fth residents!

Across a bridge

we found Nimbin Candle Factory


For over 30 years, this family-run business has been making beautiful traditional, non-toxic candles using essential oils and vegetable dyes.

The distinctive pyramid candles can be seen for sale around the area

an iron is used to finish the candles and give a shiny finish


Their water powered dipping deck was inspired by similar equipment used in ancient monasteries.

Outside the factory were some curious bone stones!

Hemp Embassy

At Nimbin's Hemp Embassy you can find information and alternative hemp based products such as building materials, body products and vitamin supplements.
There was plenty of interesting reading material...


Innovative bongs

Nimbin Rocks
The towering Nimbin rocks are estimated to be 20 million years old and are of sacred significance to the traditional owners from the Bundjalung nation and for this reason access is restricted.

In the distance, Blue Knob watches over the town

Rocky Creek Dam

On the way home from Nimbin, we stopped to explore Rocky Creek Dam which is the principal source of water for the Rous Regional Supply and is supplemented by Emigrant Creek Dam, the Wilsons River Source and several bore sites in Alstonville and Woodburn

Rocky Creek Dam has a capacity of 14,000 mega litres at full supply level which is 187 metres above sea level. This high elevation allows high pressure gravity supply to most areas within the distribution system. The dam wall is 28 metres high and 220 metres long and is made of about 80,000 tonnes of rock, soil, clay and concrete. Water is released via the spillway which is designed to discharge more than 1000 m3/s under probable maximum flood conditions.
There are aoms beautiful walks around the dam

On the way back to the car, we couldnt' resit some fun on the swings!