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| Crystal Castle and Shambhala Gardens | |
|---|---|
  Crystal Castle Location in the Northern Rivers district of New South Wales | |
| Type | Botanical garden |
| Location | 81 Monet Drive, Montecollum, New South Wales, 2482 Australia |
| Nearest city | Lismore |
| Coordinates | 28°35′33″S 153°27′38″E / 28.592481192868075°S 153.4606944108292°E |
| Area | 10 hectares (25 acres) |
| Created | 1986 |
| Designer |
|
| Owned by | Naren King |
| Visitors | 90,000 (in 2022)[1] |
| Status | Open all year |
| Facilities |
|
| Website | https://crystalcastle.com.au/ |
Crystal Castle and Shambhala Gardens is a botanical garden in the Byron Bay hinterland set on 25 acres. On display are a number of the world's largest geodes and the only Kalachakra stupa in the southern hemisphere. The garden receives almost 100,000 visitors a year and is a key tourist attraction in the Northern Rivers region.[1]
It is located on the lands of the Arakwal and Widjabul Wia-bal people of the Bundjalung nation.[2][3]
History
Key Events:
- 1985 - Naren King visits the property for the first time
- 1986 - Naren & Dhira King purchase the property, consisting of 25 acres of land with an existing building designed by architect Edwin Kingsbury, for the previous owner, Mal Cooper. They name it 'Crystal Castle'.[4]
- 1999 - Design plans for Shambhala Garden begin [4]
- 2000 - Sacred labyrinth[4]
- 2003 - Playground installed[4]
- 2005 - Buddha Walk[4]
- 2006 - Rainforest Walk in collaboration with Rainforest Rescue[4]
- 2008 - Fountain of Peace[4]
- 2012 - World Peace Kalachakra Stupa built. Site renamed 'Crystal Castle and the Shambhala Gardens.'[4]
- 2013 - Sera Mey monks created a sand mandala of compassion. The dissolution was held on the 15th December.[5]
- 2014
- 2015
- hosted Rebuild Nepal Benefit concert with Toni Childs.[6] [7]
- Damanhur Spiral[4]
- 2016
Geography
The gardens are located on 25 acres of sloping land in the Byron Bay hinterland. The climate is sub-tropical with a high average rainfall. The soils are fertile volcanic red loam.
Flora
The gardens host a wide variety of tropical and sub-tropical species. Since 2006, over 7000 trees have been planted in collaboration with Rainforest Rescue.
Bodhi Tree - a Bodhi tree cutting was planted on the site and grows near the Stupa.
Fauna
Animals that have been seen in the gardens include the following:[11]
- koalas
- emerald doves
- brown cuckoo-doves
- topknot pigeons
- white headed pigeons
- figbirds
- scaly-breasted lorikeets
- Lewin's honey eaters
- grey fantails
- satin bowerbirds
- regent bowerbirds
- rose crowned fruit doves
- echindas
- pademelons
- butterflies
Geology
Within the gardens are an array of imported crystals, fossils, geodes and other geological exhibits, including:
Features
Attractions
- Shambhala Gardens - botanical gardens
- Crystal Labyrinth
- Dragon Egg - 10 tonne amethyst geode you can sit inside
- Crystal Guardians - two 5.5 metre Amethyst geodes[12] [13] [14]
- Enchanted cave - A 20 million-year-old amethyst geode from Artigas, Uruguay, that is 18 feet (5.5m) wide and weighs 44,000 lbs (20,000 kg).[15] [16]
- Fountain of Peace - a 310kg rotating rose quartz sphere suspended in a water fountain
- Wings to Eternity - several pairs amethyst geodes in the shape of fairy, or angel, wings
- World Peace Stupa - The first Kalachakra Stupa to be constructed in the Southern Hemisphere [17]
- Giant treasure chest - a 7 tonne composite geode
- Buddha Walk - the walk travels past several large statues
- Rainforest Walk
- Love Garden - a private alcove with a jasper seat and two heart-shaped amethyst crystals
- Reflexology Path - a cobblestone path surrounding a 4 tonne rose quartz
- Damanhur Spiral - a crystal labyrinth
- Fossil Garden
- Peace Dome - 15 metre geodesic sound dome where you can experience the acoustic phenomenon of a 'whispering wall.'
- Bodhi Tree
- Lotus Cafe - vegetarian cafe [18]
Experiences
- Crystal meditation
- Crystal sound healing
- Guided Tours
- Self-guided tours - a self-guided tour, with the aid of a 16-page booklet containing details of the park's flora, with various tree species identified throughout the park.
Access
Tickets can be pre-purchased online, or purchased at the entrance when you arrive. Accessible pathways, ramps, and bathroom facilities are available. Unlimited entry annual passes, and family packages, are available. As at 27 December 2024, tickets cost: $44.95 AUD(adults), $34.95 AUD (child), $44.95 AUD (concession).[19]. The gardens are closed Good Friday, Christmas Day and Boxing Day.
References
- ^ a b Schlesinger, Larry (28 October 2022). "Byron Bay's crystal wonderland pitched as $30m Rich Lister opportunity". Australian Financial Review. Archived from the original on 2022-10-28. Retrieved 2024-12-27.
- ^ "Welcome to Country & Acknowledgement of Country Protocols". www.byron.nsw.gov.au. Retrieved 2024-07-31.
- ^ "Arakwal People of Byron Bay". Retrieved 2024-07-31.
- ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m n "Crystal Castle Milestones" (PDF). Retrieved 2024-07-31.
- ^ "Sera Mey: Compassion at Crystal Castle". 11 December 2013. Archived from the original on 2024-04-11. Retrieved 2024-12-27.
- ^ "Rebuild Nepal benefit nets $50k". The Echo. 3 June 2015. Retrieved 2024-12-27.
- ^ "Rebuild Nepal Benefit Concert with Toni Childs & Laura Targett". 21 May 2015. Retrieved 2024-12-27.
- ^ "A glittering milestone" (PDF). Byron Shire Echo. 26 October 2016. Retrieved 2024-12-27.
- ^ "VENUE CHANGE: Rebuild Nepal Concert with Toni Childs Moves to Mullumbimby Civic Hall". 28 October 2016. Archived from the original on 2018-03-25. Retrieved 2024-12-27.
- ^ "Toni Childs leads line-up for Rebuild Nepal Benefit Concert in Mullumbimby". Gold Coast Bulletin. 27 October 2016. Archived from the original on 2016-10-29. Retrieved 2024-12-27.
- ^ "The Crystal Castle - Reflecting Magic". 26 September 2017. Archived from the original on 2018-02-20. Retrieved 2024-12-27.
- ^ Selleck, Emily (9 August 2016). "Mullumbimby man mortgages his house to purchase world's largest crystal guardians". Gold Coast Bulletin. Archived from the original on 2018-04-18. Retrieved 2024-12-27.
- ^ McElroy, Nicholas (21 June 2016). "Byron Bay man mortgages property to buy world's largest amethyst geode for Crystal Castle". Gold Coast Bulletin. Archived from the original on 2016-06-22. Retrieved 2024-12-27.
- ^ Fallon, Amy (26 Jan 2020). "Beyond Byron Bay: a local's guide to the NSW northern rivers' lesser-known towns". The Guardian. Archived from the original on 2020-01-26. Retrieved 2024-12-27.
- ^ "What is the largest geode in the world?". Archived from the original on 2020-11-13. Retrieved 2024-12-27.
- ^ Fallon, Amy (26 Jan 2020). "Beyond Byron Bay: a local's guide to the NSW northern rivers' lesser-known towns". The Guardian. Archived from the original on 2020-01-26. Retrieved 2024-12-27.
- ^ "First Kalachakra World Peace Stupa Inaugurated in Australia". 29 October 2012. Archived from the original on 2024-12-26. Retrieved 2024-12-27.
- ^ "Discover the incredible Crystal Castle outside Byron Bay Australia". 9 October 2019. Archived from the original on 2020-09-19. Retrieved 2024-12-27.
- ^ "Tickets & Offers".