Australia

Nimbin MardiGrass: A Guide to Australia’s Premier Cannabis Festival

Get High at the Nimbin Mardigrass!

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You’re probably wondering, what the heck is Nimbin? What is this silly name? I was the same way… Let me tell you all about it!

If you’re looking for a day trip you will never forget, head over to Nimbin. It’s a very small town roughly 1-hour drive from Byron Bay where they celebrate everything Cannabis. As you walk down the road, the smell of the air is filled with a skunky Marijuana odor that is sure to make you hungry.

Walking down the street, you will be greeted by sketchy locals carrying large wicker baskets filled with goodies, just waiting for you to consume. Some of this stuff is very potent! Fair warning.

Just note that Nimbin is not all about its cannabis culture. Sadly lots of backpackers miss out on these places. Don’t let that be you.

So, what exactly do you do in Nimbin apart from getting high? While visiting make sure to explore the following.

The farmers market

If you’re looking for fresh seasonal and homemade produce this is the place. The farmers market is usually held on Wednesday afternoons from 3-6 pm and attracts both locals and backpackers.

Nimbin Rocks

These sacred rocks were formed as a result of a volcanic eruption from the Mount Warning Tweed volcano and are protected by the Bundjalung tribe. They can only be viewed from the road unless authorized by the local indigenous people.

The Hemp Embassy

Make sure to stop by the Hemp Embassy to get all your Nimbin souvenirs. If you’re into hemp, this is the place to be.

Candle Factory

Yup, you guessed it. They sell candles, but not just any kind of candles. They sell organic, chemical-free, and non-toxic candles. So, if you love candles, check them out.

Djanbung Gardens

If you’re feeling lazy go visit the botanical Djanbung gardens, situated right in the middle of Nimbin. The gardens organize several workshops on holistic living, it’s worth a visit.

Popular Nimbin Festivals

Over the years several festivals have sprung up around this whole hippy lifestyle. Here are a few of them:

Mardigrass (Cannabis Festival)

Mardigrass happens on the first of May every year was created by a community of locals who decided to deviate from the normal way of life and protest the ongoing drug laws in Australia, educate people on the various uses of cannabis, and celebrate the culture that comes with marijuana all while having a good time with other fellow stoners.

It’s quite comical as they literally carry a giant joint down the road in celebration of cannabis. You got to see it to believe it. Just make sure to book your accommodations in advance as they will sell out.

The prices are as follows:

Passes	Cost
Golden Bud MardiGrass Pass WITHOUT camping	55$
Golden Bud MardiGrass Pass WITH Camping	150$

Roots Festival

The Roots festivals bring together people from all walks of life in order to celebrate sustainable living, it’s the ultimate hippy festival. Everything is vegan, solar-powered, and affordable so that everyone can join. So, if you’re into that kind of vibe, this hippy festival is totally for you. Check out all the details here.

Accommodation in Nimbin

There are a few Airbnbs and campgrounds in the area, but be quick as they do get booked up very fast. Apart from that it’s slim pickings when it comes to accommodations.

Nimbin Laws

When visiting Nimbin, you will notice that the town is very quiet, sleepy, or rather…stoned. This is definitely what this town is known for, but please be aware of the Marijuana Laws as it is not 100% legal yet.

So if you do decide you want to indulge in the various products Nimbin has to offer. Here are a few tips:

– Whether you decide to smoke or ingest the product. Please be aware that some of this stuff is very potent. You do not want to be found passed out. The price for brownies and cookies start at 20$

Police presence is at an all-time high as well. The various tours will inform you of this so buy at your own risk. There have been instances where the police conduct random checks, so please proceed with caution when entering and exciting Nimbin. Especially during the Mardigrass festival.

So while you’re Nimbin make sure to stock up your “stash” and enjoy the rest of your trip.

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