Diptipur is on the lands of the Wiyabul people of the Bundjalung Nation. From the late nineteenth century, it was settled by way of ‘selections’, with the land cleared of its rainforest to enable dairying. The locality of Nashua (a name from North American indigenous peoples meaning ‘beautiful river with pebbly bottom’) is now a small hamlet of a number of families and mixed farming.

A small excision of 2.4 hectares was made from the thriving dairy farm run by the James’ family in 1985, transferring the custodianship for this patch to Jayne and Michael, who created their home from the local earth, raising family and forest over the ensuing 35-40 years. The character and ambience of Diptipur stems from its origins of the joy and love and beauty and connection that thrived within its walls. The reforestation of the land commenced from the late 90s. The diversity of fauna and the flourishing of forest provides an extraordinary depth of hope, testimony of the resilience of nature that lays patiently waiting to grace us with its wonder once again.

By 2018, Diptipur had fully transitioned to a place where others could find sanctuary and retreat. Diptipur provides a welcome place for those on a journey, with many now a part of the Diptipur story, and Diptipur a part of the story of their lives.

The many spaces for art, writing, meditation, yoga and connection provide journeyers with an opportunity to rest, retreat and reconnect, so that we step back into the world with a renewed sense of possibility and freedom.