crystal castle & shambhala gardens

Well what a drive off the highway had heard great reviews so though of visiting the Crystal Castle very disappointed.To begin with at a cost of $22 per person to gain entry I though it was a little expensive however, I though we would get our moneys worth WRONG.There were different garden section to which I could related to the peace and harmony side of it but, that was it.The shopping area was the best area to the whole site great choice, many crystal's to choose from staff where friendly.Have to add that the washroom facilities was a very small area not much room to move.

My wife and I visited on 18th Feb 2015 after hearing numerous reviews about you from friends who had travelled to Byron Bay before.We enjoyed our time walking through your gardens and forest walks seeing all you had to offer. Finding relaxing spots throughout our day to just sit and take in the silence and look at the many geods, statues and sights along the way. We spent between 4 to 5 hours with you and enjoyed every moment. We especially enjoyed our lunch at your cafe. Fantastic food and great views to overlook while enjoying all on offer Thanks for a memorable and relaxing afternoon spent with you at Crystal Castle.

I agree that $22.00 entry fee is very expensive. Sydney prices. Not too bad if you are by yourself, but it soon adds up if you are with your partner and children. Having said that, it is a really beautiful and peaceful place to spend a few hours. When I was there, parents were respectfully keeping their little rug rats occupied and quite, to enable everyone to enjoy the serenity. Going there on a busy day during school holidays could be a "challenge" to the senses though! I brought a really beautiful crystal pendant necklace from the shop and did a few meditations. I walked, chilled out and relaxed. Just wish there really was a castle - slightly disappointed there wasn't. I enjoyed the experience and happy to go again when next in the hinterlands.

It was not my idea to go here and I had a little chuckle when my partner had to cough up $44 for entry but I was pleased we went.It is a well-signposted scenic drive to get there and the gardens are magnificent (including a kitchen garden which you can see), I especially loved the amazing bamboo grove. Peaceful and beautiful and probably a lot of work, so I understand the price of admission.The cafe deserves a special mention: delicious vegetarian food and green smoothies looking out on a gorgeous view. Happy with compostable serving container too.P.S. not really a place for kids.

Hi Kaz, I don't understand your review, as we are not just a shop and a cafe, we are a 5 Hectare attraction created over 30 years where most people spend 4-5 hours because there is so much to experience. It doesn't sound like you actually walked around? Did you come very late in the day? On entry you would have been given a free 123 page colour Crystal Castle Guidebook which contains beautiful images and information on all the main experiences, and you would have seen info on at least 2 included daily experiences, including the Daily Peace Experience. There is the whole Shambhala Gardens to enjoy, the giant Blessing Buddha, the Bamboo Walk, the Rainforest Walk, the Labyrinth, the Kalachakra World Peace Stupa, the Peace Room, and more. The crystals we have are the highest quality possible and most of them personally collected from around the world, and there's always great half-price specials in the Treasures Room. We reckon this is all pretty good for the price of a movie ticket! Hopefully you can return one day when you have the time to truly enjoy the whole Crystal Castle and Shambhala Gardens.

Hi Kristy, Thanks so much for the 5 Star review. I'm happy you found good value here, and a relaxing and calming experience. Welcome back anytime ! :)

Hi, I'm not sure why you visited us as we're clearly not what you are looking for ! In Australia most attractions do not advertise entry amounts in printed ads as they change every year or two. Most people spend 4-5 hours here enjoying all the experiences and as you can see from the vast majority of reviews, most find great value here. You clearly did not but I do hope you enjoy the rest of your travels and find your heart's desire...p.s. We are not Buddhists, Hindus or Geologists, but we certainly are spiritually-minded business people investing in our community, employing 60 locals, and offering this sometimes cynical world, a place of peace and compassion....

Hi Mariah, thanks so much for the great review, and I'm happy we took you to a whole other space! I'm especially glad that in spite of not being into certain things, you still had such an enriching experience and felt moved to write about it. Welcome back anytime!

Hi Sharon, thanks so much for returning to visit again, and for your great 5 Star review. We have many visitors from the UK who love it here, and it looks like you love all of it! Hope you make it back again soon :)

Hi Cathynatasha, thanks so much for the great 5 Star review! I'm so happy you visit so often, and have enjoyed the new experiences. You are so welcome any time :)

Hi "livingthedream", I hear you - we are not for you and you found little value in your visit. We aren't for everyone. Thanks for letting us know, and if you email us, attention "Naren", I will refund your entry in full. Most people stay more than 4 hours and enjoy many of the experiences on offer, (for about the cost of a movie ticket), including the gardens and giant crystal and statue collections which have taken almost 30 years to create and collect. Perhaps if you ever to decide to visit again, you will spend a bit more time to enjoy the magic. I hope you enjoy the rest of your travels!

HI Kerrie, thank you so much for the beautiful review and 5 Stars. I'm happy to hear you enjoyed a day at the Crystal Castle and Shambhala Gardens, and really glad you like our new eco cafe initiative! We look forward to seeing you again soon :)

Hi John, I'm so happy you finally made it here! Thanks for sharing your delight at the gardens and crystals. And now, from today, there's another surprise awaiting you, around yet another corner, the Damanhur Spiral, so we look forward to seeing you again soon.

Hi wayahead4u, thanks so much for the 5 Stars and raving review! I love that you visit often and enjoy the experiences on offer. Next time you come, you will see that we have created yet another experience, the Damanhur Spiral, a sacred stone spiral linking the Crystal Castle with the Damanhur spiritual community in Northern Italy. It has at its centre, a giant crystal seat! It is located near the Labyrinth, and we literally finished it this morning. Looking forward to seeing you again soon.

Hi Bambi, sorry we did not "wow" you, as we intend to do with everyone! Most people do spend 4- 5 hours taking in the whole place, and the Shambhala Gardens have been described as one of the finest sub-tropical gardens on the East Coast of Australia. The giant crystals have taken 29 years to collect from around the world, and I have not heard of a publicly accessible collection anywhere in the world that comes close. Having said that, you clearly were unimpressed, and I assure you, we will continue to add even more to the Crystal Castle and Shambhala Gardens in the years ahead! Happy travels.