Happily deciding to only lunch at the chaotic Byron Bay instead of spending the night, we headed in to the mountains before experiencing the day at naughty Nimbin, New South Wales.

Recalling the strict instruction, “Only use the campervan on dirt tracks leading to campsites,” from Apollo’s campervan hire assistant, we briefly reconsidered our plight. “What’s the worst that could happen?” “Exactly!” Resistance is futile! Shake, rattle and roll, lasting over an hour, over what should have been termed, or should that be warned, ‘4×4 only track’ where any vehicles are concerned. At least we made it, and even more impressive so did the sleeper van, and surprisingly even so, all the crockery arrived in one piece too.

Exciting, right? Well, wait until you step foot inside a place where not another on this Earth could touch it.

Welcome to Nimbin – “Australia’s weed capital” – a quaint place with psychedelic buildings. People gaudily coated in tie-dye clothing strolled around aimlessly without a care in the world. Cafés filled with all sorts of people, from businessmen to tramps. Anything goes. Outside, at the back of a café we noticed the kites flying high, how everyone was clearly stoned. The pungent smell gave it away too. Stores filled with smoking instruments. A “Hemp Embassy” loomed in the main street:

“…The Embassy Shop also provides cannabis information and education. The Embassy does not sell any drugs. That trade is quite adequately catered for on the street. We are drug law reform advocates.”

Posters on just about every lamppost advocate the legalisation of marijuana.

Do the police, stationed at the end of the high street, simply turn a blind eye?

I’m sorry I missed the annual MardiGrass – “One of the best organised and most peaceful protestivals in Australia.” – that took place earlier this month.