Nimbin & Lismore

Nimbin

Nimbin has been on visitors' lists since 1973, when it staged the Aquarius Festival, and hippiedom in Australia was entrenched here.  Today it's still a hippie haven, with a Hemp Embassy and a museum showcasing Kombi culture.  Funky, colourful and alternative, Nimbin is the centre of the Rainbow Region, which celebrates everything unmainstream.

The main street, Cullen Street, is lined with shops and cafes showcasing the rainbow culture, while the Nimbin Hotel offers lunch and cool drinks to thirsty travellers on a shady wooden deck.  There are various shuttle buses running day trips to Nimbin from Byron Bay.

On the third and fifth Sundays of each month, Nimbin Community Market is held in the primary school grounds.  The market offers handmade clothes and jewellery, children's clothes, food and homewares.  Contact the Nimbin Visitor Centre on (02) 6689 1388 for information about this area.

Directions: take the Bangalow Road exit from Byron Bay, turn right at the golf course and follow the road straight through to Bangalow.  At the top of the hill, carry on through the roundabout in the direction of Lismore.  At Clunes turn right towards Dunoon and follow the signs to Nimbin.

Lismore

Lismore is the Northern Rivers regional capital, situated on the Richmond River, which winds its way to the sea at Ballina.  It is a town with some fine old buildings and a definite Australian 'country' feel.

Lismore has plenty of shops and cafes, as well as the Lismore Regional Art Gallery.  It is home to NORPA, the Northern Rivers Performing Arts centre, and is well-equipped with a cinema, a workers club for entertainment and a well-funded visitor centre.  Call the Lismore Visitor Information Centre on 1300 369 795 for all enquiries relating to this area.

Directions: From Byron Bay take the Bangalow Road to Bangalow and follow the road straight through Clunes to Lismore.  You can continue to Nimbin from here by crossing the river to South Lismore and turning right towards Nimbin.