Mullumbimby

We left Lismore and headed to the Mullumbimby Leagues club but turns out it was full, bugger.  We ended up going to the showgrounds and stalking our new friends the Ellis family and joining them again.  But am sure they loved it!!  Only $15 a night for power and water.  We stayed 5 nights.  It was the best place to see the north of NSW at a cheap rate.  Most days we headed out in the cruiser to see what was about.

The first day we went to Byron Bay and had a really fabulous day.  It was so beautiful and warm and sunny.  We spent the whole day at the beach.  I went for a nice long walk, oh the serenity, it was so quiet.  The kids and Mark made sand castle, went swimming and snorkeling.  Then I was very lazy and layed in the sun and read a book.  See what I mean, the perfect day.  We had fish and chips on the grassy bank for lunch.

Sand Angels

The Beach babe!

Come on Aussie come on.

Kids love the new wet suits

Mark in his element.  Byron Bay Brewery.

We went to the iconic Byron Bay light house right perfectly timed for sunset, accidental of course, we just ran late all day!  It was really beautiful.  We even got to check out the eastern most point of Australia.

We didn't seem to have spent enough time at the beach the day before so we went to Brunswick Heads.  We had a nice walk along the main beach, then set up for a picnic lunch by this great little beach right where the river meets the ocean, at the break water.  There were dolphins swimming right in close.

Over the years we had heard all sorts of opinions on Nimbin and had always wanted to go there, so we did.  It certainly was an interesting place, as everyone knows it has the reputation as being the drug capital of Australia.  The drive out there was spectacular, such pretty lush green country side.  Nimbin is a little country town with some very interesting people.  A lot of alternative people, rainbows and dreadlocks.  We were walking along the main street and were greeted by an older aboriginal man with dreadlock who said "Hello fellow beautiful people of mother earth"!!  We found most people were really friendly, but there were a few not so harmless looking people.  There are signs everywhere about no drinking or dealing drugs on the streets but they are just ignored!  Plenty of things to purchase if you so wished.
 We had a look at the environment centre, the museum and had lunch at the rainbow cafe.  Then we headed to the candle making factory.  They had some really pretty candles and we got to see how they were made.  We met up with the Ellis family and had a cuppa in a cafe on the main street then headed home.

An artwork on display at the Nimbin Museum...

A Kombi in the Museum

The main street

Will and Jake, good mates most of the time

Doing some knitting in Nimbin

We had read that the Minyon Fall were really pretty.  We had a lovely barbecue lunch with the Ellis family and then checked out the falls.  They were pretty impressive.  Was a great day out.  We were going to do some 4WD but all the roads were gated and we couldn't get in anywhere, oh well another day.

Will Jake Sam and Charlotte

Kaz, me, Mark and Dan

We then went to the Crystal Castle near Mullumbimby.  Was late in the day but we had time for a hot chocolate and a few photos.  Gorgeous gardens and a great cafe, would be lovely on a summers day.  Loads of crystals every where.

Pretty good message

We had a fabulous time in Mullumbimby and Northern NSW. Especially with our new friends the Ellis family.  We said a sad fairwell, is great to meet friends on the road.  Am certain we will catch up again on the road somewhere!!!  A really pretty lovely part of Australia.  Next stop Redland Bay near Brisbane to catch up with Meg, Lee and the girls.