ROCK SOLID
THERE IS SOMETHING INEXPLICABLY MAGNETIC ABOUT CRYSTAL CASTLE. YOU’LL BE PLANNING YOUR NEXT VISIT BEFORE YOU EVEN LEAVE THE CARPARK AT THE END OF THE DAY.
Ask any little kid and you’ll realise that people’s fascination with rocks starts quite
early. Whether your mum was constantly stopping you from eating them as you
crawled around the backyard, or you were the champion rock skimmer at primary
school, or you’ve kept a special perfectly formed pebble from that romantic walk on
the beach on your first real date, the earth’s natural treasures come in many forms.
At the other end of the scale might be diamonds, sapphires and rubies but somewhere in the middle are semi-precious stones and ‘crystals’. Roughly an hour’s scenic drive south of the Gold Coast (about 20 minutes inland from Byron Bay) is the home of the most amazing collection of crystals seen anywhere in the country – maybe even the world. Crystal Castle is the kind of place you’ll lose yourself in, without even realising it.
On the day we trekked to Mullumbimby, I had three generations of extended family in tow. I’ll admit straight out that we are all crystal lovers from way back. We all love crystal jewellery and have amazing crystal specimens all around our homes.
My own relationship with crystals began decades ago. I remember those original feelings of awe at what Mother Nature ‘grows’ for us in her dirt. But awe is an understatement when you walk through the grounds of Crystal Castle. This place is home to the largest amethyst cave in the world and the world’s tallest geode pair, The Crystal Guardians, at a jaw-dropping 5.5m high. Mega rose quartz specimens share the grounds with sodalite and adventurine chunks that would each weigh the same as small cars.
You could wander through the stunning gardens and rainforests all day discovering
some pretty amazing sights around every corner. Beyond nature’s wonders, Crystal
Castle also offers the largest stone Blessing Buddha in Australia and the only
Kalachakra World Peace Stupa in the Southern Hemisphere (one of only seven
worldwide). Even the Dalai Lama blessed it! But, beyond tackling the twisting (and
highly meditative) Labyrinth, the Damanhur Spiral and walking barefoot around the
reflexology path, my favourite experience of the day was writing a wish for the world on a piece of cardboard and hanging it among hundreds of other wishes on the Wishing Tree. Reading many of those wishes reminded me of what the human spirit is really about – people weren’t wishing to win the lotto or for the latest sports car. They were wishing for peace and positivity. For an end to hunger and homelessness. For happiness. Loads of happiness.
Your hunger will be satiated at the gorgeous Lotus Café (overlooking The Crystal
Guardians and that lush Byron hinterland) and your desire for a take-home treasure
will be satiated in the various retail stores. And don’t miss the daily guided tours for
an even deeper understanding of the grounds.
There’s an energy around this magical place that’s inexplicable but almost tangible.
Whether you’re a believer in the healing energy of crystals or not, you’ll leave Crystal Castle relaxed, centred and wanting to come back again.