Nimbin

Nimbin is a lush hinterland town located 1 hour and 15 minutes inland from Byron Bay. Known as a hub for counterculture and alternative social activities, Nimbin is a significant and unique town in the Northern Rivers. Nimbin and surrounding localities make up the ‘Rainbow Region’. This term is of great cultural significance to the Traditional Owners of the land, the Bundjalung people

Almost 100 years after the colonisation of Australia in the 18th Century, loggers were attracted to rich forests of Red Cedar in the Nimbin area. In 1903, with the cedar forests gone, the land was divided and given to dairy and banana farmers. Nimbin’s dairy industry collapsed due to recession in the 1960s.

In 1973, the Aquarius Festival breathed new life into the struggling town. The festival saw a large number of students, hippies, and other alternative types flock to Nimbin with, for the first time in Australian history, permission from the Traditional Owners of the land.

Many festival-goers stayed in Nimbin, formed communes, and founded Nimbin as a hotspot for alternative culture.

Nimbin made the history books again when, in 1979, the community protested the destruction of a local rainforest. Known as the ‘Battle for Terania Creek’, the movement prompted the world’s first legislation that protected rainforest. Nimbin is home to the Nimbin Good Times monthly newspaper, and 2NIMFM, an independent radio station.

Today, Nimbin reflects the community spirit and history of the town, with shops and cafes, attractions, festivals, and events celebrating alternative social activities – particularly relating to environmental initiatives and cannabis counter-culture.

Details of the programme

Visit the site of the attraction to learn more:

2480 Nimbin, NSW