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Draft:Crystal Castle and Shambhala Gardens


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 (Shambhala Gardens)
  • Dave Rawlins (rainforest walk)
  • Mandy Lisson (rainforest walk)
  • Alok Eggenberger (Stupa architect)[1]
Owned byNaren King
Visitors90,000 (in 2022)[2]
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.[2][3]

It is located on the lands of the Arakwal and Widjabul Wia-bal people of the Bundjalung nation.[4][5]

History

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Key Events:

  • 1980 - Primary building erected, the architect was Edwin Kingsbury, for owner Mal Cooper[6]
  • 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. They name it 'Crystal Castle'.[7]
  • 1999 - Design plans for Shambhala Garden begin [7]
  • 2000 - Sacred labyrinth[7]
  • 2003 - Playground installed[7]
  • 2005 - Buddha Walk[7][8]
  • 2006 - Rainforest Walk in collaboration with Rainforest Rescue[7]
  • 2008 - Fountain of Peace[7]
  • 2012 - World Peace Kalachakra Stupa built. Site renamed 'Crystal Castle and the Shambhala Gardens.'[7]
  • 2013 - Sera Mey monks created a sand mandala of compassion. The dissolution was held on the 15th December.[9]
  • 2014
    • Day of the Dead event.[7]
    • Forest & Friends established.[7]
    • Reflexology Walk.[7]
  • 2015
    • hosted Rebuild Nepal Benefit concert with Toni Childs.[10] [11]
    • Damanhur Spiral[7]
    • 'Green Frog shuttle' bus service begins ferrying passengers between key local tourist attractions and locations, including Crystal Castle and Shambhala Gardens.[12]
  • 2016
    • Enchanted Cave and Crystal Guardians purchased[7][13]
    • 30th birthday week celebrations[7]
    • a second benefit with Toni Childs, was organised but due to weather, it was moved to the Mullumbimby Civic Hall.[14] [15] [16]

Geography

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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

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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

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Animals that may been seen in the gardens include the following:[17] [1]

Geology

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Within the gardens are an array of imported crystals, fossils, geodes and other geological exhibits, including:

Features

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The Castle

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The original 400 square metre residence took over 18 months to build and the architect, Edwin Kingsbury, has stated he was influenced by Mediaeval English castles, Egyptian Sphinx and Pyramids, and eels[18]. The building is a brick and timber structure[18]. Timbers used include local rosewood, Cairns silky oak, and imported Brazilian cedar[18]. There are at least 14 rooms including: cellar, billiard room, ensuite with bidet, and double garage[18]. With architectural features including: towers, courtyards, terraces and an avoidance of right-angles[18].

Attractions

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  • Shambhala Gardens - botanical gardens
  • Crystal Labyrinth
  • Dragon Egg - 10 tonne amethyst geode you can sit inside
  • Crystal Guardians - two 5.5 metre Amethyst geodes[19] [20] [21]
  • 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).[22] [23]
  • 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 [24]
  • 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 [25]

Experiences

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  • 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

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Tickets can be pre-purchased online, or purchased at the entrance when you arrive. Accessible pathways, ramps, and bathroom facilities are available. Complimentary rainbow-coloured umbrellas are available to use onsite. 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).[26]. The gardens are closed Good Friday, Christmas Day and Boxing Day.

Awards

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  • 2002 Best Regional Tourist Attraction, Northern Rivers Tourism Award[27]
  • 2003 Best Regional Tourist Attraction, Northern Rivers Tourism Award[27]
  • 2004 Best Regional Tourist Attraction, Northern Rivers Tourism Award[27]
  • 2004 Best Regional Tourist Attraction, Northern Rivers Tourism Award[27]
  • 2005 Best Regional Tourist Attraction, Northern Rivers Tourism Award[27]
  • 2005 Finalist, NSW State Tourism Awards[27][28]

References

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  1. ^ a b "Crystal Castle Guide" (PDF). Archived from the original (PDF) on 18 August 2017. Retrieved 28 December 2024.
  2. ^ 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 28 October 2022. Retrieved 27 December 2024.
  3. ^ "Council Meeting 27 September 2012 Attachments" (PDF). p. 237. Archived (PDF) from the original on 27 December 2024. Retrieved 28 December 2024. include as icons, the key attractions of Crystal Castle and Macadamia Castle
  4. ^ "Welcome to Country & Acknowledgement of Country Protocols". www.byron.nsw.gov.au. Retrieved 31 July 2024.
  5. ^ "Arakwal People of Byron Bay". Retrieved 31 July 2024.
  6. ^ "Our History". Archived from the original on 19 February 2011. Retrieved 28 December 2024.
  7. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m n "Crystal Castle Milestones" (PDF). Retrieved 31 July 2024.
  8. ^ "Fairy castle captures Byron spirit". The Gold Coast Bulletin. News Corp Australia. 18 July 2005. ProQuest 375999522. Retrieved 28 December 2024.
  9. ^ "Sera Mey: Compassion at Crystal Castle". 11 December 2013. Archived from the original on 11 April 2024. Retrieved 27 December 2024.
  10. ^ "Rebuild Nepal benefit nets $50k". The Echo. 3 June 2015. Retrieved 27 December 2024.
  11. ^ "Rebuild Nepal Benefit Concert with Toni Childs & Laura Targett". Byron Bay Blog. 21 May 2015. Retrieved 27 December 2024.
  12. ^ "Coffs Coast Tourism Strategic Plan 2020" (PDF). Coffs Harbour City Council. 3 May 2016. p. 27. Archived (PDF) from the original on 27 December 2024. Retrieved 28 December 2024. 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)
  13. ^ Selleck, Emily (9 August 2016). "Twin peaks' attraction is crystal clear". The Gold Coast Bulletin. News Corp Australia. ProQuest 1809789169. Retrieved 28 December 2024.
  14. ^ "A glittering milestone" (PDF). Byron Shire Echo. 26 October 2016. Retrieved 27 December 2024.
  15. ^ "VENUE CHANGE: Rebuild Nepal Concert with Toni Childs Moves to Mullumbimby Civic Hall". 28 October 2016. Archived from the original on 25 March 2018. Retrieved 27 December 2024.
  16. ^ "Toni Childs leads line-up for Rebuild Nepal Benefit Concert in Mullumbimby". Gold Coast Bulletin. 27 October 2016. Archived from the original on 29 October 2016. Retrieved 27 December 2024.
  17. ^ "The Crystal Castle - Reflecting Magic". 26 September 2017. Archived from the original on 20 February 2018. Retrieved 27 December 2024.
  18. ^ a b c d e Stubbs, John (7 April 1982). "Country 'castle' designed by an amateur". The Northern Star (Lismore). Lismore.
  19. ^ 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 18 April 2018. Retrieved 27 December 2024.
  20. ^ 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 22 June 2016. Retrieved 27 December 2024.
  21. ^ Fallon, Amy (26 January 2020). "Beyond Byron Bay: a local's guide to the NSW northern rivers' lesser-known towns". The Guardian. Archived from the original on 26 January 2020. Retrieved 27 December 2024.
  22. ^ "What is the largest geode in the world?". Archived from the original on 13 November 2020. Retrieved 27 December 2024.
  23. ^ Fallon, Amy (26 January 2020). "Beyond Byron Bay: a local's guide to the NSW northern rivers' lesser-known towns". The Guardian. Archived from the original on 26 January 2020. Retrieved 27 December 2024.
  24. ^ "First Kalachakra World Peace Stupa Inaugurated in Australia". 29 October 2012. Archived from the original on 26 December 2024. Retrieved 27 December 2024.
  25. ^ "Discover the incredible Crystal Castle outside Byron Bay Australia". 9 October 2019. Archived from the original on 19 September 2020. Retrieved 27 December 2024.
  26. ^ "Tickets & Offers".
  27. ^ a b c d e f "Crystal Castle takes tourism award five years running" (PDF). Byron Shire Echo. 20 September 2005. Retrieved 28 December 2024.
  28. ^ "Ten vie for NSW Awards: Tourism ventures impress". The Gold Coast Bulletin. News Corp Australia. 2 November 2005. ProQuest 376040571. Retrieved 28 December 2024.
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