The Australian Town Of Hemp, Hippies & Bitcoin - And Why You Have To Go!

Roll yourself a joint (if that's your thing), but make your first stop the Bitcoin ATM in the old Butter Factory and then let this land of rainbow colour steal your heart.

Nestled in the foothills behind our brilliant blue beaches on the north coast of Australia, is a town called Nimbin. In political protest, the residents openly flaunt their love and use of all things marijuana.

For well over 10 years now, this town has been our favourite escape for a good dose of hippie love. During our campervan days (see my #introduceyourself to Steemit Post), we spent the first nine weeks of our new life in this district. Far from a well kept secret, Nimbins reputation as the "alternative capital" of Australia, has firmly cemented it on the international backpacker trail. I could not find Nimbin mentioned in the Steemit Community yet. It is probably Australia's craziest town and the only place in the area with a Bitcoin ATM, so I figured this place is definetely worth sharing here.

Nimbin is even more awesome since BringABong, a shop situated in the old butter factory down by the river, got a Bitcoin ATM. You can pay for in-store purchases in the shop with Bitcoin too. My husband loves to have a good yarn with the owner David, about all things crypto-currency, while I watch our twin daugthers explore the gardens, stage and courtyard. The neighbouring cafe, Phoenix Rising serves up world class Australian grown Arabica coffee and organic food. I hope over time more places in Nimbin start accepting Bitcoin, it really is the perfect fit for the towns counter-culture and freedom ideals.

In 1973 thousands of people flocked to Nimbin for an Aquarius Festival that turned the quiet dairy settlement into a sprawling new grass roots commune movement that forever changed the towns culture.

Nowadays the town is synonymous with the fight to legalise marijuana in Australia, where it is still an offence to buy, supply or cultivate. Politically motivated, the town hosts an annual Mardi-Grass Festival with the mission to bring about cannabis law reform in the most entertaining means possible.

During this three day festival, tens of thousands of people fill the town to join in the march for cannabis reform that ends at the local police station. The festival program includes live music, prominent guest speakers, bong throwing competitions in a Hemp Olympix and finishes with a Kombi Convoy, fifty vans long, puttering through the streets.

Aside from this peaceful protest and over saturation of all things glorifying weed, thousands of people come simply as an excuse to pull out the tie-dye, camp under the stars, wear crazy hats, dance on the streets with the iconic gunja faeries and join in the raw earthy hippie revelry.

Weed is just EVERYWHERE in this town, you can't walk from the car into a shop without being offered weed or cookies. But Nimbin is still a magical place even if pot or radical social causes is not your thing. It's peace loving history form the fabric of this town and guaranteed you will chat to some pretty interesting folk. The food is awesome. Most cafes serve local grown coffee and organic food, often picked out of the establishments garden right in front of you.

The whole "Northern Rivers" region as it is called sits inside an ancient volcano ring. The scenery is spectacular with volcanic rocks protruding out of the mountains, crystal clear bubbling creeks and enchanting rainforest to explore. Lush fertile rolling hills meet the ocean below, that glistens an exquisite turquoise in the prevalent sunshine. The national parks are worth visiting as are the other small villages in the area that each contribute to the regions famous artistic reputation.

The roads in and around Nimbin are notoriously neglected by local government, littered with deep potholes. A local vigilante artist, known as Roadart, uses the roads as his own art gallery. A local hero he marks pothole dangers on the roads with colourful spray painted designs of hearts, dots and snakes. Once you notice one, you will see his artpieces everywhere and your car tyres will appreciate his talents more than you.

Nimbin lies in a valley with significant meaning in Aboriginal dreamtime. Said to be the resting place of the rainbow serpent and a place of healing. There is a distinct and respected Indigenious cultural presence in the town that adds to the experience.