welcome

The word Nimbin comes from the legend of the Nyimbunji (clever man) of the original local Widjabul Wia-bal people. Referred to as ‘The Big Scrub’ by early Europeans, like most of Northern NSW, the area was originally covered by lush subtropical rainforest and sclerophyll eucalypt forests.

Following the pathways of the original custodians, early European settlers came into the Nimbin valley for timber-getting from the 1840s. The area was first subdivided in 1903 and gazetted in 1906. Following land clearing for timber, Nimbin became a thriving dairy and banana farming district and a bustling village within a decade.

With the later downturn in the dairy industry, many shops became empty and the village was in decline when locals approved the proposal by AUS to hold the Aquarius Festival in 1973. The village was reinvigorated with an influx of new settlers following the festival, seeking to build a new alternative lifestyle away from the city. A few decades later, Nimbin has become known internationally for its alternative culture and has attracted visitors ever since.

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Taking pride of place in the centre of town, Nimbin’s School of Arts, completed in 1904, determined the location of Nimbin village. From a frontier outpost it became a gazetted village within a few years.

Much of the current streetscape was built in the early 1900s and is in a heritage conservation zone, while the colourful murals, additions of the ‘new settlers’, are heritage listed. Public art abounds as well as a changing canvas of ‘pop-up’ installa- tions and street decoration.

Look out for the history plaques on buildings and take a tour of creative inspiration on our Art Walk.

Though small, Nimbin has most essential amenities and caters for the interests of a diverse popula- tion, with many shopping options, cafes, galleries, hospital and entertainment venues. Beyond the main street are some hidden treasures: the Nimbin Candle factory and Bush Theatre, Rainbow Power Company, Djanbung Permaculture Gardens, Nimbin’s Sustainable Living Hub at 7 Sibley Street.

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The Terania Creek campaign to stop logging in 1979 was the first environmental protest of its type, using blockades in the attempt to save old-growth forest. Lyle and John Roberts, worked alongside Nan and Hugh Nicholson who had spent several years of lobbying previous to this action. A protest camp was established on the Nicholson’s property, and through direct action attracting wide media attention, the logging ceased within 4 weeks!

In 1982 trouble stirred again with the threat of logging on the Nightcap Range when Andy Frame hosted months of block- ades with the newly formed Nightcap Action Group at Mt. Nardi resulting in the area being declared National Park, and given World Heritage status in 1989.

So much of the natural beauty of the Nimbin hills is due to the ongoing efforts of forest regeneration by local people - many visitors are surprised to learn that most of the area was cleared paddocks only decades ago! To this day, the local community continue to remain active in environmental protection, often spearheaded by Nimbin’s dedicated Envi- ronment Centre in the main street.

We are blessed to be surrounded by several National Parks within easy driving distance (see www.visitnimbin.com.au for maps). For a closer look at forest restoration projects and bush tucker plantings, be sure to take a stroll down to the Rainbow Road Walking Track and community-owned Aquarius Park, east of the village centre.

Walk softly upon the earth and leave only your footsteps behind you. Please remember that rural areas don’t have the luxury of garbage collection, be responsible with your waste! Remember, human food scraps and garbage are toxic to our wildlife and can kill them, and sunscreen and artificial fragrances are toxic to aquatic life in water ways.

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Whilst this unique place attracts many visitors, it is not an artificial tourist attraction, but an expression of a diverse, eclectic, often unorthodox community.

From its inception, from the early pioneers to the present day, the people of Nimbin have always ’done things their own way’, with many community-initiated public works and more community-owned properties than any comparable town.

You will find the full spectrum of human potential represented here, a credit to the respect, acceptance of difference and compassion of its people, allowing many who might otherwise be ostracised to find a place of belonging and healing.

With so many independent thinkers artists, musicians, dancers, poets, thespians, philosophers and makers of all kinds, creative expression is everywhere.

Concerned about the trajectory of mainstream society, many have settled here to seek sustainable alternatives. We have had almost 50 years of experimentation and innovation in the areas of social justice (cooperatives, land-sharing communities, drug law reform), environmental protection (landscape preservation and re-generation, organic growing and sustainable design systems), technology (renewable energy and affordable and sustainable building methods and design) and ways of living (land-sharing communities, community schools, personal growth, alternative healing modalities). Many of our once radical experiments are now becoming mainstream!

Although you may come across many colourful characters in the main street (tie-dye is not de rigueur), most of the population is as likely to be working, volunteering for one of our many community organisations or at home in their studios, gardens and farms. Generally, you will find the locals to be friendly and only too happy to chat and share their love for their beautiful home.

Nimbin is a very diverse community that embraces difference. The traditional owners who lived here before us all, the older settlers who were here before us, the 'new settlers' and those who have come since, are all part of this community. We share a diversity of views, but we are united by a sense of belonging. Life here can at times be raw and confronting, but it's also nurturing, supportive, honest and inclusive.

We hope you will be inspired by our vision for an abundant future and create a healthier way of being in the world. 

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For the original custodians, Nimbin has always been a sacred place of learning and transformation.

The valley where the village now lies was the gathering place of many, with the Nimbin Rocks to the south (men’s business) and places to the North and East (women’s business). These significant landmarks (estimated to be 20 million years old) are regarded as sacred sites of initiation and higher learning by the Original people.

Access is restricted to the general public, but you can check out the Rocks from the viewing area 2kms south of the village.

The Aquarius festival was one of the first times in Australia where indigenous custodianship was acknowledged, with organisers seeking approval from local Elders before proceeding, and opened with Australia’s first ‘Welcome to Country’ in language by the last lore man of the Widjiabul Wia-bal people (Bavi) GG Grandfather Lyle Roberts Snr. Many of our famous murals feature Dreamtime images from local Widjabul Wia-bal artists.

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Inside this brochure is a visual map of the village centre to help you explore. Click on the QR code for special interest tours, event guide and more info about our unique village or follow the sound trails app for stories by local identities.

• Visit the Nimbin Visitor Information Centre and Nimbin Candles at the beautiful Nimbin Bush Theatre at the Northern gateway to Nimbin.
• Find out more about our village history, murals and community ownership on building plaques.
• Take an art tour with public art and galleries listed on Art Walk Map.
• Play or relax in our community recreation precinct in Sibley St with basketball court, world class skate park, playgrounds, bowling club and swimming pool through to Nimbin Headers Sports Club, Nimbin Showgrounds and Djanbung Permaculture College on Cecil Street.
• Book a longer stay to enjoy regular live music venues, weekly farmers markets, nearby National Parks and annual special events.
• Grab a copy of the free monthly Nimbin Good Times at various venues for a heads-up on all things Nimbin.

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