Have you had enough of Byron Bay? That’s hard to believe anyone could get bored of the beautiful Byron Bay beaches. But I understand you could be keen to explore somewhere new and different. Here’s an itinerary that will take you to Byron Bay hinterland with things to do in Nimbin for nature lovers. And you can be back on time on the coast for your Sunday morning surfing session.

Nimbin: an Australian village with character

Nimbin - Byron Bay hinterland 0

Nimbin is known for being Australia‘s capital of cannabis.

I’m not a smoker, so Nimbin has never made it to the top of the places I wanted to visit in the region. Still, it sounded like an original destination with a hippie lifestyle that aroused my curiosity so I kept it on the list. And I’m glad I did.

Although I wouldn’t drive 1.5 hours from Byron Bay just to check out Nimbin, it was worth a short detour from our more nature-oriented activities in Byron Bay hinterland.

I often complain that all Australia towns look too similar: the main road with the same kinds of buildings on each side. Nimbin definitely has its own style. You still have the main road, but in Nimbin, the buildings are a lot more colourful and unique. And they carry messages: marijuana leaves and rainbows are painted almost everywhere.

But when you make some research, you quickly find out there’s a lot more in Nimbin than cannabis.

Nimbin - Byron Bay Hinterland 02

Cannabis is what brings most tourists there, but not what makes locals stay. The community is highly focused on sustainable living and alternative solutions. In the 70s, Nimbin was a dairy town left almost deserted after an economic crisis. Some hippies purchased cheap large lands and created from scratch communities around their ideals of freedom and sustainability. Decades later, these communities are still around.

I realise it wouldn’t attract crowds as cannabis does, but I wish a part of tourism was focused on this interesting history of Nimbin. I found the information online, not in town. You can visit Djanbung Permaculture Gardens nearby and the HEMP Embassy shop promotes sustainable products from seeds, but that’s about it. It would make the visit a lot more interesting if the shops and the town centre shared aboutĀ sustainable living lifestyle.

We only had a short visit to the main street and I was disappointed not to feel the local way of life. In the cafes where we stopped for food, the focus on sustainability wasn’t there. Smoothies even came in single-use cups with a plastic lid and a straw…! On a positive note, it will be interesting to follow how tourism activities evolve in Nimbin, and I hope to update this list of things to do in Nimbin with more green activities.

On your way to Nimbin, keep your eyes open for the Nimbin Rocks.

Nimbin Rocks are the most remarkable natural landmark in Nimbin. These funny-looking rocks areĀ volcanic extrusions from the leftovers of Mount Warning volcano. You can stop on the side of the road for a photo, and that’s as far as your visit will go. I was surprised there was no sign to explain the history of the rocks.

Like many natural landmarks in Australia, they have a significant cultural meaning for Aboriginals. Note that access is prohibited; you won’t be able to see them closer without special authorisation.

Things to do in the Nimbin region: waterfalls

Protesters Falls - Byron Bay Waterfalls

There are a few waterfalls that are accessible on a day trip from Byron Bay (click here to view the list). Two of them are in Byron Bay Hinterland and can be visited on the way to Nimbin.

Protesters Falls is a short detour from the road that connects Nimbin to the coast, but it’s worth the drive. The 15-minute walk is lovely and the falls looked fantastic. Read more about Protesters Falls here.

There are other walks to do in the Nightcap National Park if you want to spend more time there. Click here for more ideas.

Minyon Falls are the most famous falls in the region. The lookout is less than one hour away from Byron Bay. You can view the top of the falls from a lookout near the car park, or hike for about four hours through the forest to reach the pool at the base for a refreshing swim.Ā Click here for more information and photos.

Things to do in the Nimbin region: Spot a platypus

Byron Bay Hinterland Creek

Platypuses are hard to spot in the wild but there are places where you’ll have greater chances than others. Rocky Dam Creek has a platypus viewing platform so it is promising. Never get your expectations too high when you go for platypus spotting. Patience is part of the game.

It may be the most exciting thing to do in Nimbin for a nature lover, but this stop ended up being an epic fail for us. We woke up before sunrise to reach a closed gate. They closed the access to the creek because of construction work. We’ll be back to try our luck again next time we’re in the Byron Bay hinterland. We still had a quick look at the creek – not from the platform but much further down from the dam – with no luck.

There are tours to see a platypus in the wild run from Byron Bay. Click here for more information*.

If you want to spot a platypus, you’ll need to get up early or stay until it gets darker. They are easier to spot at dusk and dawn. We decided to sleep in the area and stayed at the campground in The Channon (booking recommended: it was full both nights). The place was great and I particularly appreciated their efforts in recycling and reusing items. If you’re lucky, you may even spot a koala.

If you wonder where to see a platypus and what to look for when you’re looking for a platypus, read this!

Markets in Byron Bay Hinterland

If you’re travelling to the Byron Hinterland on the right day, you may want to visit one of the famous markets in the region for some local entertainment, arts, crafts and fresh produce:

What are your favourite things to do in Nimbin? What did you like there? Share your experience in the comments below!

Where are these things to do in the Nimbin Region?

 

Nimbin is in New South Wales, near Byron Bay. It takes 1.5 hours to drive from Byron Bay to Nimbin.

Did you like this article about the things to do in Nimbin? Add it to your Pinterest board:

Eloise

Eloise is the creator and writer of MyFavouriteEscapes.com. She writes about her experiences exploring exotic destinations and finding hidden gems closer to home. Her goal is to share tips and stories to inspire and encourage others to go on their own adventures. She loves outdoor and nature-based activities like scuba diving, hiking, kayaking, and sailing. She grew up in France and has lived in England and Turkey before calling Australia home for the past decade. So let's get ready for another adventure!

This Post Has 10 Comments

  1. Jithin

    Nimbin has got an intereting story. Seems like a great place to explore in Australia. Very informative post, thanks for sharing.

    1. Eloise

      Thanks, Jithin. Yes, Nimbin’s story is extraordinary, and I don’t know why they don’t exploit it more!

  2. Marquita

    This is cool! Thanks for sharing. Iā€™m planning for an upcoming Australia trip. So this is something i will look into.

    1. Eloise

      Hi, Marquita! To be honest, unless you’re touring Australia for a few months, I think there are better places to explore down under before going to Nimbin šŸ˜‰

  3. Victoria B.

    Protester falls looks like a cute waterfall! Would love to go hiking here…

    1. Eloise

      Hi, Victoria. The falls were beautiful. I regretted the hike was that quick; I wouldn’t have minded spending more time in the beautiful forest!

  4. stsstaqtl

    I would hope there is more to Nimbin than cannabis. How did you find the locals and had there been aboriginals still in Nimbin?

    1. Eloise

      Hi there! We didn’t engage with any locals during our short visit as the opportunity didn’t arise, but we saw some at cafes and in the street, including aboriginals. The overall atmosphere was very easy going.

  5. Claire

    Great guide! I skipped out Nimbin but spent some time in Byron. Really miss Australia to be honest!

    1. Eloise

      Thank you, Claire. Byron is such an awesome place šŸ™‚

Leave a Reply