Thousands of hippies in barely-there costumes descend on small Aussie town for annual MardiGrass festival
Thousands of brightly-coloured Aussies have called for cannabis to be legalised at the country's annual MardiGrass parade over the weekend.
Thousands flocked to the small town of Nimbin, 75km west of Byron Bay in northern NSW, for the 33rd Mardigrass festival from Friday to Sunday.
With events ranging from law advocacy seminars to 'educational' talks about the wonders of magic mushrooms, there was something for all psychedelic fans.
The festival peaked with its famous pro-weed parade on Sunday.
Participants included the dancing Ganja Faeries dressed in green and a convoy of Kombi vans, a classic icon of the area's hippie culture.
Tickets for the event started at $30 for a day pass and jumped to $150 for those looking to attend the entire festival and stay at the campsite.
Nimbin's relationship with the alternative community began in 1973 with the 10-day Aquarius Festival. The music, art and cultural event invited those at the forefront of counterculture movements to unite.
Many of those who attended the festival stayed in Nimbin following its end, using cheap property to set up communes.
The new population saw Nimbin, and nearby Byron Bay, established as the homeland for Australian hippies.
Nimbin MardiGrass is held on the first weekend of May every year.
Its main focus is to protest drug laws and educate people on cannabis' various uses, including its medicinal properties.
The festival also helps recreational weed users understand the existing laws surrounding cannabis in Australia.
The Nimbin HEMP Embassy, a volunteer-led organisation, is a major sponsor of the event.
'MardiGrass is one of the best organised and most peaceful pro-testivals in Australia,' it said on its website.
'The event features an international conference, The Hemposium, which provides cutting edge information on industrial hemp, medicinal cannabis and drug law reform.
'MardiGrass is a major boost to the local economy and a huge drawcard for Australian and international tourists.'
Sober drivers were available to ferry festivalgoers to and from their accommodation while volunteer group Jungle Patrol assisted with crowd control.
This year's festival also marked the 30th anniversary of the festival's Hemp Olympix which included 'bong throw' and 'joint rolling' competitions.
Cannabis use at the festival is not legal under Australian law.
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