Aquarius Festival

The Nimbin Aquarius Festival was a counter-cultural arts and music festival organised by the Australian Union of Students. It was the fourth in a biannual series of festivals, first organised by the National Union of Australian University Students. The first Australian Universities Arts Festival was held in Sydney in 1967, and the second Australian Universities Arts Festival was held in Melbourne in 1969. The third added "Aquarius" to its name and was held in Canberra in 1971.^[1] The fourth and last was held in Nimbin, New South Wales in 1973.^[2]

The Aquarius Festival aimed to celebrate alternative thinking and sustainable lifestyles.^[3] The ten-day event was held from 12 to 23 May 1973 and co-directed by Johnny Allen and Graeme Dunstan. Vernon Treweeke also played a part in organising the event. It is often described as Australia's equivalent to the Woodstock Festival and the birthplace for Australia's hippie movement.^[4] It has also been credited with being the first event that sought the permission to use the land from traditional owners, and included a Welcome to Country ceremony.^[5] The estimated attendance at Nimbin was between 5,000 and 10,000 people.^[6]