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Crystal Castle & Shambhala Gardens

Crystal Castle & Shambhala Gardens

Crystal Castle & Shambhala Gardens
4
10:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Monday
10:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Tuesday
10:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Wednesday
10:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Thursday
10:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Friday
10:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Saturday
10:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Sunday
10:00 AM - 5:00 PM
About
A short scenic journey into Byron’s hinterland lies a tranquil and magical sanctuary. Welcome to the home of the largest and most beautiful natural crystals in the world where you can sit in an ancient amethyst cave. The Crystal Castle with its peaceful ambience and exquisite natural splendour is a place of wonder for everyone. Stand between two of the tallest crystals on earth or take flight in the Wings to Eternity mural. Wander through the tranquil Shambhala Gardens revealing the wonder of sacred statues and towering bamboo then touch the World Peace Stupa. Join in daily guided experiences. Enjoy breathtaking views from the terrace while you sip on fresh local coffee, enjoy a delicious lunch and homemade desserts. Discover the jewel of Byron and enrich your spirit. Only 20 minutes from Byron Bay and 40 minutes from Gold Coast airport. Open 10am - 5pm (NSW time) Except Christmas Day, Boxing Day and Good Friday.
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$32.49
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  • Cam2011_11
    Greenwood, Australia156 contributions
    5.0 of 5 bubbles
    Phenomenal crystals and gardens
    You certainly dont want to miss this when in Byron Bay. It is an incredible place. The gardens are magnificent and compliment the crystals. Huge crystals are incredible, We could not believe the size of some. of the crystals. We loved the sound healing. Lotus cafe was a gem and the food and juices really fresh and tasty.. My favourite room was the geode room. Beautiful geodes...to the extent that two are shipping their way to me! The aura reading was amazing and uses high level technology. It was also very accurate. Staff at crystal castle are all extremely helpful and personable. We thoroughly enjoyed our day here and would go back again. Wheelchair accessible apart from rain forest and disabled toilet in the main building.
    Dear Cam, Thank you so much for taking the time to share your experience at Crystal Castle & Shambhala Gardens. We appreciate your kind words and enthusiasm about our beautiful gardens, giant crystals, sound healing, Lotus cafe, geode room, aura reading, and the overall hospitality of our staff. It warms our hearts to know that you thoroughly enjoyed your visit and that our offerings left a lasting impression on you. We hope to welcome you back to Crystal Castle in the near future to create more magical and unforgettable experiences. Warm wishes, The Crystal Castle Team
    Written November 21, 2023
    This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
    Visited October 2023
    Traveled as a couple
    Written November 11, 2023
  • Jody G
    Jenkintown, Pennsylvania171 contributions
    5.0 of 5 bubbles
    Amazing place!
    Amazing and beautiful collection of geodes, crystals, statues, gardens. Very well laid out. They give you a nice book that has a map and explanations of the displays. We spent 4 hours there, including a delicious lunch at the Cafe. The Sound healing meditation was very relaxing. Definitely visit this place.
    Dear Jody, Thank you so much for taking the time to share your wonderful experience at Crystal Castle & Shambhala Gardens! We're delighted to hear that you enjoyed exploring our geodes, crystals, statues, and gardens. It is wonderful that you were able to dedicate four hours to immerse yourself in the beauty of our surroundings, and we're especially pleased to know that you had a relaxing time during the Sound Healing Meditation. Your positive feedback is truly appreciated, and we're grateful for your recommendation. Warm wishes, The Crystal Castle Team
    Written December 13, 2023
    This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
    Visited December 2023
    Traveled as a couple
    Written December 13, 2023
  • Gary K
    2 contributions
    5.0 of 5 bubbles
    Relaxing, informative and interactive.
    Wasn't sure what I was in for when I agreed to visit the Crystal Castle, but found myself immersed in a world of amazing geological formations and interesting cultural activities and information. Certainly had a relaxed vibe to the place, with everything well set out and well explained. A rewarding place to visit.
    Dear Gary, It is lovely to hear you were captivated by your Crystal Castle experience. Thank you so much for visiting us! Warm wishes, Crystal Castle Team
    Written August 26, 2024
    This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
    Visited December 2023
    Traveled as a couple
    Written January 25, 2024
  • Christelle B
    1 contribution
    5.0 of 5 bubbles
    Definitely worth a visit!!
    A truly magical place to visit. The food at the cafe was lovely and they had gluten free options. The crystals and gardens where beautiful, and the views... Breath taking! Make sure to go to the sound bowls healing and the meditation, the dome that they are done in, has amazing energy. Highly recommend this as a wonderful day trip. You definitely won't be disappointed.
    Dear Christelle, Thank you for your kind words. We are so delighted to hear of your magical experience at Crystal Castle; It truly is a place to enrich the spirit! We hope to welcome you back again soon. Bright Blessings, Crystal Castle Team
    Written August 26, 2024
    This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
    Visited February 2024
    Traveled with friends
    Written February 5, 2024
  • garryjamesk
    Gold Coast, Australia38 contributions
    4.0 of 5 bubbles
    Great for Believers!!
    If you are of the Hippie or of new age persuasion you would love it, I am not however I was impressed after looking at the Video at the engineering marvel, what they have done given the logistical issues is quite amazing. Food again if you are into mung beans or are a vegetarian you would love it, if you are a realist eat first, albeit whilst expensive the milkshakes were excellent, location is somewhat difficult, price perhaps a bit on the high side, $240 4 Adults 4 kids, engineering achievements amazing!! Gift shop prices reasonable, been once no need to go again. I have seen no improvement in my Karma, peace or love levels!!!
    Hi Garry, Thank you for visiting us and sharing your appreciation for the marvels of Crystal Castle! A great team with loads of love and energy help to make it all happen here in the Byron Hinterlands. Wishing you peace, love...and great milkshakes! 🙂 Bright Blessings, Crystal Castle Team
    Written August 26, 2024
    This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
    Visited May 2024
    Traveled with family
    Written May 19, 2024
  • Lauren M
    28 contributions
    5.0 of 5 bubbles
    Peaceful and Perfect
    What a beautiful experience. I highly recommend visiting Crystal Catlstle. There is plenty to see, including countless crystals and gorgeous gardens. We spent 4 hours here and had the best time walking around, taking photos, and enjoying the scenery. The staff were so lovely, and the sound healing session was great. I hope we can visit again in the future. If you visit the cafe, be sure to try the hot chocolate - yum!
    Dear Lauren, It is so delightful to hear you experienced the all round magic that is Crystal Castle! Thank you for spending the day with us amongst the gorgeous Shambhala Gardens. We look forward to welcoming you back again soon for breathtaking views and a delicious hot chocolate! Bright Blessings, Crystal Castle Team
    Written August 26, 2024
    This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
    Visited July 2024
    Traveled as a couple
    Written July 11, 2024
  • CarloHelmond
    Helmond, The Netherlands725 contributions
    4.0 of 5 bubbles
    peaceful and quiet place
    This place is a little off the beaten path, but that make it quiet and peaceful. It does require some time to meander all the grounds, even without reading the information boards. The crystal sound healing was very interesting and worth way staying for. The prices for the crystals are reasonable. We didn't try anything from the café, so I can't comment on price or selection
    Dear Carlo, Thank you for finding your way to our sanctuary! We are happy to hear you enjoyed some of our guided daily experiences between quiet walks and enjoying the peace and beauty of the Shambhala Gardens. Warm wishes, Crystal Castle Team
    Written August 28, 2024
    This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
    Visited July 2024
    Traveled with family
    Written August 15, 2024
These reviews are the subjective opinion of Tripadvisor members and not of TripAdvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.

Most Recent: Reviews ordered by most recent publish date in descending order.

Detailed Reviews: Reviews ordered by recency and descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as wait time, length of visit, general tips, and location information.

Popular mentions

4.0
4.0 of 5 bubbles1,101 reviews
Excellent
655
Very good
230
Average
104
Poor
61
Terrible
51

Mr C
Gold Coast, Australia9 contributions
1.0 of 5 bubbles
Apr 2022
$50 per head to look at second rate garden and expensive gift shop waste of time and money would not recommend this place at all paths closed due to past weather, no notice of this till after you pay and enter. asked for refund after 1 hour refused. family of 3 adults and one child $ 205 totally wasted
Written May 2, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Hello, We're really sad to hear your experience wasn't what you expected. Every day, our team of over 40 people works very hard on creating a magical day for our visitors, it is unfortunate this wasn't the case for you. Unfortunately, the Rainforest Walk had to go through some repair work after recent flooding in the region and we are so happy it is now re-opening. Best wishes, The Crystal Castle Team
Written July 27, 2022
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.

Brian T
London, UK8,117 contributions
3.0 of 5 bubbles
Feb 2023
Crystal Castle is sanctuary and garden complex that’s a bit different to the usual concept of a botanical garden or a rain forest attraction. I’m not sure it’s as ‘magical’ as the creators want it to be, and how you interpret or ‘feel’ the spiritual elements the complex endeavours to create is totally dependent on your own views on these things (I’m not particularly spiritual) but it is certainly a pleasant spot to visit for a couple of hours, and you will see some unusual things, particularly some gigantic and very fine examples of crystals - quartz, amethyst and the like.

It’s not particularly cheap. At $49.00 per person, it’s quite steep, but I have to acknowledge that it was the only attraction we had visited on this trip to Australia that offered a discount for seniors - $45.00 instead of $49.00. Such discounts for seniors are fairly much standard in the United Kingdom where I live. There are elements to the visit which are at extra charge, for example the aura photographs ($60.00), though that facility was not working on the day of our visit. I certainly understand the cost and effort that the creators have put into creating the experience; however, the value to the visitor is what the visitor actually gains from it. I had a pleasant few hours there, but it didn’t provide me with the ‘wow’ factor.

There’s a number of different elements to the attraction, so grab a map and follow the various paths. I particularly enjoyed seeing a number of things: the giant geodes, the World Peace Stupa, the ‘Wings of Eternity’ mural with the huge crystals, the giant amethyst cave you can sit in, and particularly just wandering through the beautifully manicured Shambhala Gardens with its ponds, statuary (Ganesh, the Blessing Buddha, Nandi, and Lakshmi), the bamboo glade and exotic plantings.

I wasn’t particularly fussed with a few things. The Rainforest Walk and Bushtucker Track didn’t really offer much, as in my opinion there wasn’t a lot about them that were particularly captivating and unusual. The Damanhur Spiral, the Labyrinth and the Reflexology Walk were a bit gimmicky to me, and probably of more interest to those who are more in tune with kind of thing.

It’s an interesting spot to visit. We didn’t use the cafe apart from refilling our water bottles (for free). Nor did we participate in any of the daily 'peace' experiences. Did I find it peaceful? Elements were, for sure, especially the World Peace Stupa, but there were a lot of youngsters around on the day of our visit which didn’t particularly add to a peaceful and reflective time. Would I recommend it? Probably, particularly to those who have a wider interest in crystals and their healing and spiritual powers; the gardens are beautiful and if they were a standalone feature I would fully recommend a visit to that particular aspect of the complex. Would I visit again? No.

The attraction is a few kilometres from the town of Mullumbimby. You need a car to reach it.
Written March 16, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Dear Brian T, Thank you for taking the time to share your detailed review of your visit to Crystal Castle. We're glad to hear that you found the experience interesting and enjoyed certain aspects like the giant crystals, the World Peace Stupa, and the Shambhala Gardens. We appreciate your feedback on the pricing, and we continuously strive to provide value to our visitors while maintaining and improving the Crystal Castle. We understand that not every element resonated with you, and we recognise that the experience can be subjective based on individual interests and backgrounds. Your feedback will help us identify areas for improvement and better cater to a wider range of visitors. We are glad that you still found elements of peace throughout the Shambhala Gardens. We hope that our visitors can appreciate the diversity of experiences we offer and that they will resonate with different people in different ways. Once again, thank you for your visit and your honest feedback. We hope that you continue to enjoy your travels. Warm regards, Crystal Castle Team
Written March 16, 2023
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.

Darrin R
Newcastle, Australia971 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Jun 2020 • Couples
A good relaxing, healing experience, nice views over valley from cafe, fare prices average $20 for feed. Entry is $39 adult but well worth the half day you will have. Good parking and facilities. Friendly and helpful staff. The large rare Crystal are amazing and you will want to take home
Written June 11, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Hi, Thank you for your 5 star review and for taking the time to share your experience with us. Our team is enriched by hearing about our guests' beautiful experiences. We hope to see you again soon! Bright Blessings, The Crystal Castle Team
Written June 13, 2020
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.

Vanessa M
Gordon, Australia520 contributions
3.0 of 5 bubbles
Dec 2020 • Family
We visited this place because one of my daughters is super interested in crystals and we had to fill in time before we could check into our accommodation in Byron.
There are gardens to walk around, crystals bigger than people, two little shops and a cafe. It’s not cheap though cost us $180 for 6 people (family pass plus another two adults because they were above 12). You could spend hours there or do what you wanted to see in 30mins, choice is yours. Roads are windy and you feel like it’s just the middle of the bush but keep going and you’ll find it. A small car park but seems adequate for the number of visitors at a time.
Written January 16, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Thank you so much for taking the time to share your experience at Crystal Castle & Shambhala Gardens with others. We really appreciate the feedback and hope you enjoyed your visit. Bright Blessings.
Written February 1, 2021
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.

codebeans
Sydney, Australia673 contributions
4.0 of 5 bubbles
May 2021
Well-kept gardens by volunteers. Need approximately 5 hours to cover the ground including a relaxing lunch and gift shop visit. Mostly rose quartz and amethysts. There are some Buddhism spiritual symbolic experience and statues of Hindu gods. That sums it all.

I pre-booked online but still end up in the same queue to get the tickets. Before I came I emailed the gardens for enquirers but they didn’t reply. This place is run by volunteers I guess we can’t expect much but if they are charging $39 per adult it would be nice to have some basic level of customer service /care.

Gift shop was okay. I was planning to buy stuff but didn’t buy any. I find more interesting stuff in crystal shops in Sydney. If you have not been to one of these gardens it’s a good experience to visit. Garden don’t open daily pls check schedule on their website.
Written May 5, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Thank you for taking the time to review Crystal Castle & Shambhala Gardens. We warmly appreciate your feedback as it helps us to provide more enriching experiences for our guests. Bright blessings!
Written May 10, 2021
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.

tahnee
New South Wales, Australia21 contributions
3.0 of 5 bubbles
Sep 2020 • Family
Don’t get me wrong, the area is stunning with stunning views over the hinterland in which it lays upon. The crystals are stunning with one to wonder if they are even real. However as a maximum of a 45min walk around the price is over the top with adults being almost $40 each. The gift shop is pricey also but is expected as they are selling high quality crystals. The area is created by volunteers and owners who simply had a passion for crystals. with humble beginnings and a forest completely volunteer planted it really makes me wonder- why is it so pricey?
Written September 30, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Hi There, Thank you for taking the time to review Crystal Castle & Shambhala Gardens. We thank you for your understanding that our team of over 70 passionate staff work very hard to create a beautiful, meditative environment for our guests. In a recent survey of over 100 participants, there were 98% of our visitors reporting either fair, good or excellent value for money, and 97% said they would return and visit again. It is our vision that our guests can come along to unwind, relax and disconnect but also appreciate that there can be differing opinions and needs within this. Bright Blessings, The Crystal Castle Team
Written October 3, 2020
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.

c b
Sydney, Australia5 contributions
1.0 of 5 bubbles
Mar 2020 • Family
I have been coming for years. It use to be a passion project, artistic and with lovely woo. Now it is a tourist trap with faux Asian spirituality. Total sham. The gardens are disappointing. They would be earning enough money from cafe and shop. This is way overpriced and broke my heart. The essence and magic have long left wouldn’t recommend to anyone. Didn’t like the way they hid pricing so people drive all the way out and they basically rob them. Creating some seriously bad energy for themselves I hope it comes back 3 fold. 35$ concession! Two mums with 3 babies under 13 months. Will be telling anyone who will listen to give it a miss. Oh and false advertising to boot there are no caves just a giant Amethyst egg broken open with a curtain.
Written March 11, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Hi There, Thank you for taking the time to review The Crystal Castle & Shambhala Gardens. It is our vision that our guests can come along to unwind, relax and disconnect but also appreciate that there can be differing opinions and needs within this. This place of magic and wonder is completely unique in the world. It has taken 33 years to build, is the life’s work of the owners and a creation which has included hundreds of locals. We have over 70 passionate locals who provide an opportunity for guests to easily spend 4 to 6 hours here and even up to a full day when attending the free workshop experiences that we offer daily, as part of the entry fee. In regards to the 3 babies under 13 months, they have free admission as children under the age of 4 are free! Our pricing is very clear on our website https://www.crystalcastle.com.au/buy-tickets/ Also we have small amethyst caves which we sell in our beautiful retail shops but we have a large amethyst cave on site :) Bright Blessings, The Crystal Castle Team
Written March 17, 2020
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.

jayjayjay4
mexico5 contributions
1.0 of 5 bubbles
Jan 2020 • Family
I’m a local who has been going to the crystal castle for years. Locals pay 1/3 of the entrance fee, and thank god, cause it’s incredibly expensive and not worth the full price they are asking.
Went in for a coffee today...$9.50 for a soy latte!!!!!
Thats just plain greed and robbery.
I would not recommend going unless you don’t mind throwing money down the drain.
Written January 6, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Hi There, Thank you kindly for taking the time to review The Crystal Castle & Shambhala Gardens. In response to the coffee you purchased you must be referring to our large Organic iced soy latte which is direct trade coffee and organic soy milk. We also are a tourist attraction and not a local Mullumbimby coffee shop and we pride ourselves in our locally sourced ingredients. We are sorry you feel this way about a local business and we recognise that the The Crystal Castle is not for everyone. Blessings, The Crystal Castle Team
Written January 7, 2020
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.

TripperEmelia
Melbourne, Australia183 contributions
2.0 of 5 bubbles
Jul 2020
Drove from Byron and was excited to visit the Crystal Castle but after seeing the entry fee we left straight away and disappointed. For our family of 4 (children 13 & 16) it was going to be OVER $100. We think this is a bit rich when you can make money off the food and shop etc. better to have people in the door spending money than to charge these ridiculous prices for just entry. Went onto The Farm, Bryon with free entry but spent our money there.
Written July 2, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Hi There, We thank you kindly for your feedback. In recent surveys of over 100 participants, there were 98% of our visitors reporting either fair, good or excellent value for money, and 97% said they would return and visit again. Our team of almost 70 passionate locals provide an opportunity for guests to easily spend 4 to 6 hours here and even up to a full day when attending the free workshop experiences that we offer daily. Blessings, The Crystal Castle Team
Written July 5, 2020
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.

SD2606
Christchurch, New Zealand2,465 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Nov 2019
It is a rather expensive entry fee but If you like crystals and gardens then this is the place to visit!

The day that we visited was (actually the day after the terrible bush fires started) a very hot 36Cdeg and we were not accustomed to this year and having to walk around outside in it.

We made our visit very quickly, trying to take as much as we could in, just due to the oppressive heat.

We managed to see all of the gardens and they were all kept beautifully! Such lovely arrangements and displays.

What an amazing collection of crystals too! In fact they have the largest amethyst in the world there – it was so impressive!

There is a lovely café, gift shop and childrens playground there, so if you have the time you could easily spend half a day there enjoying the beauty and serenity of it all.
Written January 28, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Hi There, Thank you SO much for taking the time to review The Crystal Castle & Shambhala Gardens. We warmly appreciate such beautiful feedback and we love to hear all about our guests’ magical connections they have whilst visiting. I must agree with you there, we do have such an amazing collection of different crystals. We look forward to welcoming you again. Bright Blessings, The Crystal Castle Team.
Written January 29, 2020
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.

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Crystal Castle & Shambhala Gardens - All You Need to Know BEFORE You Go (2024)

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