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We dropped the caravan off at the repair centre at 9:30am. The ground was soggy underfoot but the sky was blue. This was looking promising! 

We headed to Nimbin an “alternative lifestyle” village 30km inland from Lismore. When I say “alternative” think organic, rainbow painted buildings fences and buses and the friendliest most helpful people we’ve met yet.

The street was buzzing with people, many unique in their own special way, all calm and smiling. We toured the Nimbin museum which was a rented house/shop in the Main Street. The museum showed the “creation” of Nimbin through the ages as the tour took you through a warren of rooms presented as caves. Paper mâché had been added to walls and everywhere you turned there were verses and declarations of the “right” ways to exist.

Nimbin was a failing community in the early 1970s until the Aquarius Festival was held there which attracted thousands of people. It resembled Woodstock and presented the “hippie” lifestyle although some Nimbin residents resent the tag. The community was revived as many people remained after the festival and made their homes in the area. Co-operatives were formed and from what we as observers could gather, the message coming from a modern Nimbin was to be true to yourself and others, give back to the community (including the earth) and enjoy a sustainable existence. I don’t think anyone could argue with that. 

We wandered through the shops, met some lovely people and were thanked sincerely for our donations (museum and gallery). We stopped for coffee and a sausage roll, Ray declaring that it was really good with not too much pastry. 
While Ray took a phone call, Caleb and I wandered into the gallery. It was full of local artists’ work ( including children) and it was sensational. There were so many art forms represented and I was seriously jealous about my inability to be creative in any of them. Caleb’s interest was also sparked and he pointed out particular pieces that he liked. Unfortunately, photos weren’t allowed but I highly recommend a visit there. 

Continuing our walk along the street Caleb commented on the “funny smell”. We hurried past a few shop doors where there was a distinct, as Ray puts it ” Hoochey Koochey” smell. It was very strong. The reputation that Nimbin had for an illegal marijuana trade is referenced in the museum. They openly state that the police visit Nimbin often to raid premises that allow drug trading inside. They make no apologies for wanting marijuana legalised for medicinal benefits and ask that you do any necessary business elsewhere away from the trading community. 

The road out of Nimbin is not very well maintained and there are a lot of cracks and potholes on the road. Someone artistic has made them into pictures of rainbow serpents and other things. This helped to make you aware of them while driving. That is something we have definitely noticed in NSW. The roads aren’t well maintained in comparison with the other states we have travelled in. When pulling a caravan it is very noticeable and we’ve had more travel mishaps (cupboards opening and things jumping around) inside the caravan than ever before. 

We took a detour on the way home to Casino. Casino is the beef capital of Australia but apparently this is hotly disputed by Rockhampton. It was set in lush green hills and looked like a perfect grazing area. We were called by the caravan repairer before we could explore too far and had to return to pick up the van. They reported that all was well and we returned to the park to set up again and have a late lunch. The afternoon flew by in a flurry of food shopping and a bit of relaxing. We leave tomorrow heading to Byron Bay.