Native treasures of Nimbin

 

Nimbin is an iconic town in the Northern Rivers Region of Australia.  The name Nimbin comes from the local Whiyabul (Widgibal) clan’s dreamtime story which speaks of the Nimbinjee spirit people that protect the land.  The area is also referred to as the rainbow region by the Bundjalung people (Traditional owners of the land) as it is said to be the resting place of Warrajum, the Rainbow Serpent (a significant motif in First nations culture, representing a creation deity). Nimbin is a very diverse town and it’s known for it’s counter culture attitude and eco-friendly mantra. Nimbin has been responsible for many significant acts in history such as the first step in reconciliation, when the town sought permission for the use of land from the Bundjalung people to put on the Aquarius Festival in 1973. The festival promoted sustainable living and alternative lifestyles. The town was also successful in 1983 at protecting and forming the creation of the Night Cap national park which stopped the logging of now protected rainforest species. It is also a strong campaigner to legalise cannabis use.

 

 This was my first visit to Nimbin it was eye opening but also intriguing to see the marketing of cannabis and hemp so freely on the streets.  But Nimbin is not only known for it’s open mindedness to cannabis use, it also has a large community of artists, musicians and environmentalists.  The permaculture community is big in Nimbin with the promotion of sustainable agriculture. Djanbung Gardens located at 74 Cecil Street offers permaculture courses and provides tours to their farm and gardens.  The gardens are a beautiful place and the name Djanbung means platypus in the Wiyabul  dialect. The gardens feature two platypus themed murals. Bundjalung artist Gilbert Laurie painted the wonderful entrance mural on the wall of the training building. This mural was painted in honour of his grandfather, Uncle Eric Walker, who gifted Djanbung their name. The other platypus mural is on the water tank beside the entrance of the gardens this was painted by Burri Jerome a well known Bundjalung artist who has painted numerous murals within Nimbin and surrounding areas.

 

Beautiful mural by Gilbert Laurie

platypus mosaic

Mural by Burri Jerome

 

Djanbung gardens pond

 The street murals of Nimbin are vibrant and colourful and matches with the name of the rainbow region. The murals were created by local artists including Gilbert Laurie, Elspeth Jones, Helen Rodriguez, Richard Bingham, Bob Hopkins, Herbie Roberts, Alan Barker, Oral Roberts, Lewis Walker, Vernon Treweeke, Benny Zable, Kathy Stavro, Amanda Julie De Lorenzo and Burri Jerome. Check out more information on the murals here .

 

Mural by Burri Jerome

Mural by Elspeth Jones

Nimbin Rocks Mural by Burri Jerome

Mural by Elspeth Jones and Julie De Lorenzo

Mural by Amanda Williams

Mural by Oral Roberts and Gilbert Laurie in the Peace park mural

 Nimbin Rocks is also a recommended place to visit when in Nimbin. They are volcanic remains of rhyolite rock from the eruption of Mount Warning Volcano dating back to 20 million years ago.  It is a culturally significant site to the Bundjalung people, the rocks are believed to be the home of Nmbngee or Clever man (a traditional healer within First Nations Culture). They are beautiful scenery and they pop out from above the lush green rainforests below. 

 Nimbin is a once in a lifetime experience, the artistic expression and protecting the environment was what I loved about the place.

 Check out more footage from my adventures in Nimbin in the video below.