Byron Bay And Nimbin

The Peak Of Mount Warning Volcano

I left the skyscraper filled, party chaos Gold Coast, known as Australia's version of Miami and continued south to the more pleasant, relaxed atmosphere that welcomes you at Byron Bay. It's a very short trip from Surfers Paradise to Byron and when I arrived I immediately checked into my hostel known as the Arts Factory. I only mention this hostel because it deserves a mention. Hostels around Australia vary considerably. Some are huge modern apartment blocks with all the latest facilities, others are small and cosy with a very homely feel. Some have lots of character or are designed on a theme, whilst others are cheap - designed specifically for somewhere for you to rest your head for the night. The Arts Factory is in a league of it's own. The area of Byron Bay is a beautiful spot with a very hippy vibe. That vibe has extended into the Arts factory. The hostel has hammocks overlooking a small lake. Apart from your normal dorm rooms - you can also stay in a teepee, they have didgeridoo making classes, yoga classes, their own cinema and an assortment of quests who all looked as though they wished it was the 1960's. It's the only hostel that was recommended to me before I left home, is a great place to stay and I also recommend it to any young backpacker heading out to Byron.

Byron Bay is a great little spot. Admittedly it only consists of two roads, but the beach is perfect, Mount Warning Volcano looms in the background and there is a great walk up to the lighthouse which provides perfect views of the surrounding area. The town has a very unique feel to it and they don't allow any fast food chains or any other commercial giants to ruin that.

Matt had joined me from Brisbane and the two of us, now reunited headed up to the famous lighthouse. From the top you can search the waters for whales and dolphins which can often be seen here but luck was not on our side that day. It also claims fame to being the most Easterly point on the Australian mainland so I can now say that I have been to the most Westerly and Easterly points of this vast country!!!

We spent 5 days in total at Byron Bay. However, only our first and last days did we have clear blue skies - which is really what you need in a place like Byron. The three days in between it rained hard and constant. We did manage to get out of bed though and take a day trip to the wonder that is Nimbin. As mentioned - Byron has a very hippy atmosphere, with characters dressed in clothes that goes against all conformity. It is a brilliant place to while away a few days. Nimbin is similar to Byron except that it is a much more intense version. Known as the Bush Amsterdam, Nimbin is only a short distance west of Byron and is synonymous with hippies and marijuana, yet unlike Amsterdam - it's not legal (the marijuana that is not the hippies)!!!

Nimbin consists of one small road which you can walk up and down in about 4 minutes. Like being stuck in a 1970's time capsule - it makes an interesting day trip. The colourful street is full of shops selling hemp clothes, smoking equipment and tarrot cards. The very small Nimbin museum is a collection of rooms that make you feel like your tripping out - with the unified message that we are hippies and we can smoke if we want too. On the day trip, we also headed to a National Park, trekked to a great waterfall and of course had an Aussie BBQ.

Our nights in Byron Bay mainly consisted of going to the only real night-club / bar in the area known as Cheeky Monkeys, where all the youngsters go and have fun. Every night something is going on at the place and often till the very early hours of the morning.

I apologise to anyone who may ever read this who comes from somewhere in between Byron Bay and Sydney and I know there are a few places along that south eastern coast which would appeal to many, but for me, a bit short on time - decided to skip that section. Instead Matt and I booked a flight, flying past Sydney - to the countries main rival city, known as Australia's cultural heart........Melbourne.