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Draft:Crystal Castle and Shambhala Gardens

Coordinates: 28°35′33″S 153°27′38″E / 28.592481192868075°S 153.4606944108292°E / -28.592481192868075; 153.4606944108292
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This is an old revision of this page, as edited by Sallyrenee (talk | contribs) at 23:13, 27 December 2024 (→History: added reference). The present address (URL) is a permanent link to this revision, which may differ significantly from the current revision.


This page is about Crystal Castle and Shambhala Gardens in New South Wales, Australia. For other Crystal Castles, see Crystal_Castles_(disambiguation)).
Crystal Castle and Shambhala Gardens
map of new south wales with location of Crystal Castle marked
map of new south wales with location of Crystal Castle marked
Crystal Castle
Location in the Northern Rivers district of New South Wales
TypeBotanical garden
Location81 Monet Drive, Montecollum, New South Wales, 2482 Australia
Nearest cityLismore
Coordinates28°35′33″S 153°27′38″E / 28.592481192868075°S 153.4606944108292°E / -28.592481192868075; 153.4606944108292
Area10 hectares (25 acres)
Created1986
Designer
  • Edwin Kingsbury (architect)
  • Naren King
  • Sono King
  • Dave Rawlins (rainforest walk)
  • Mandy Lisson (rainforest walk)
Owned byNaren King
Visitors90,000 (in 2022)[1]
StatusOpen all year
Facilities
  • Botanical gardens
  • Geodesic sound dome
  • Labyrinths
  • Rainforest walk
  • Buddhist Stupa
  • Tibetan prayer wheels
  • Buddha and Hindu statues
  • Crystal Geodes
  • Fossils
  • Cafe
  • Playground
  • Ponds and water features
Websitehttps://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][2]

It is located on the lands of the Arakwal and Widjabul Wia-bal people of the Bundjalung nation.[3][4]

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'.[5]
  • 1999 - Design plans for Shambhala Garden begin [5]
  • 2000 - Sacred labyrinth[5]
  • 2003 - Playground installed[5]
  • 2005 - Buddha Walk[5][6]
  • 2006 - Rainforest Walk in collaboration with Rainforest Rescue[5]
  • 2008 - Fountain of Peace[5]
  • 2012 - World Peace Kalachakra Stupa built. Site renamed 'Crystal Castle and the Shambhala Gardens.'[5]
  • 2013 - Sera Mey monks created a sand mandala of compassion. The dissolution was held on the 15th December.[7]
  • 2014
    • Day of the Dead event.[5]
    • Forest & Friends established.[5]
    • Reflexology Walk.[5]
  • 2015
    • hosted Rebuild Nepal Benefit concert with Toni Childs.[8] [9]
    • Damanhur Spiral[5]
    • 'Green Frog shuttle' bus service begins ferrying passengers between key local tourist attractions and locations, including Crystal Castle and Shambhala Gardens.[10]
  • 2016
    • Enchanted Cave and Crystal Guardians purchased[5]
    • 30th birthday week celebrations[5]
    • a second benefit with Toni Childs, was organised but due to weather, it was moved to the Mullumbimby Civic Hall.[11] [12] [13]

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:[14]

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[15] [16] [17]
  • 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).[18] [19]
  • 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 [20]
  • 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 [21]

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).[22]. The gardens are closed Good Friday, Christmas Day and Boxing Day.

Awards

  • 2002 Best Regional Tourist Attraction, Northern Rivers Tourism Award[23]
  • 2003 Best Regional Tourist Attraction, Northern Rivers Tourism Award[23]
  • 2004 Best Regional Tourist Attraction, Northern Rivers Tourism Award[23]
  • 2004 Best Regional Tourist Attraction, Northern Rivers Tourism Award[23]
  • 2005 Best Regional Tourist Attraction, Northern Rivers Tourism Award[23]
  • 2005 Finalist, NSW State Tourism Awards[23]

References

  1. ^ 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.
  2. ^ "Council Meeting 27 September 2012 Attachments" (PDF). p. 237. Archived (PDF) from the original on 2024-12-27. Retrieved 2024-12-28. include as icons, the key attractions of Crystal Castle and Macadamia Castle
  3. ^ "Welcome to Country & Acknowledgement of Country Protocols". www.byron.nsw.gov.au. Retrieved 2024-07-31.
  4. ^ "Arakwal People of Byron Bay". Retrieved 2024-07-31.
  5. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m n "Crystal Castle Milestones" (PDF). Retrieved 2024-07-31.
  6. ^ "Fairy castle captures Byron spirit". The Gold Coast Bulletin. News Corp Australia. 18 Jul 2005. Retrieved 2024-12-28.{{cite news}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link)
  7. ^ "Sera Mey: Compassion at Crystal Castle". 11 December 2013. Archived from the original on 2024-04-11. Retrieved 2024-12-27.
  8. ^ "Rebuild Nepal benefit nets $50k". The Echo. 3 June 2015. Retrieved 2024-12-27.
  9. ^ "Rebuild Nepal Benefit Concert with Toni Childs & Laura Targett". 21 May 2015. Retrieved 2024-12-27.
  10. ^ "Coffs Coast Tourism Strategic Plan 2020" (PDF). Coffs Harbour City Council. 3 May 2016. p. 27. Archived (PDF) from the original on 2024-12-27. Retrieved 2024-12-28. A new hop-on hop-off shuttle service, 'Green Frog Shuttle', was launched by a local commercial tourism transport operator in October 2015 that connects the main towns, villages and attractions within Byron Shire (Byron Bay, Brunswick Heads, Mullumbimby, Crystal Castle, Bangalow and Suffolk Park)
  11. ^ "A glittering milestone" (PDF). Byron Shire Echo. 26 October 2016. Retrieved 2024-12-27.
  12. ^ "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.
  13. ^ "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.
  14. ^ "The Crystal Castle - Reflecting Magic". 26 September 2017. Archived from the original on 2018-02-20. Retrieved 2024-12-27.
  15. ^ 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.
  16. ^ 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.
  17. ^ 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.
  18. ^ "What is the largest geode in the world?". Archived from the original on 2020-11-13. Retrieved 2024-12-27.
  19. ^ 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.
  20. ^ "First Kalachakra World Peace Stupa Inaugurated in Australia". 29 October 2012. Archived from the original on 2024-12-26. Retrieved 2024-12-27.
  21. ^ "Discover the incredible Crystal Castle outside Byron Bay Australia". 9 October 2019. Archived from the original on 2020-09-19. Retrieved 2024-12-27.
  22. ^ "Tickets & Offers".
  23. ^ a b c d e f "Crystal Castle takes tourism award five years running" (PDF). Byron Shire Echo. 20 September 2005. Retrieved 2024-12-28.{{cite news}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link)
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