Frequently Asked Questions

Need to know more?

Our FAQs provide everything you need to know to plan your perfect day at Crystal Castle.

Ticketing, opening hours and experiences

Yes, Crystal Castle is open every day of the year, including public holidays, except for Christmas Day, Boxing Day, and Good Friday.

Crystal Castle is open each day between 10am – 5pm NSW time. Our latest entry for guests is at 4pm, NSW time. Most guests spend between 3-5 hours here. We recommend that visitors from Queensland arrive one hour earlier during the spring, summer and autumn months when daylight saving time applies.

Children who are aged between 4-14 inclusive are required to have a Children’s Day Pass. There is no charge for children and babies under four and they don’t need a ticket.

The Guided Tour commences at 11am – meet at the Fountain of Peace in our courtyard, just near the Lotus Cafe. There are two Crystal Sound Healings per day – at 12pm and 3pm in the Peace Dome; and there is one Crystal Meditation session at 1.30pm in the Peace Dome.

Yes! Once you arrive at Crystal Castle, we recommend connecting to our free Wi-Fi labelled “Guest”. This Wi-Fi is located in our cafe, retail rooms, playground, Welcome Hut, and some areas in our carpark. Since we’re located in a rural area, you’ll need to use the Wi-Fi for phone calls. We also offer a small phone charging station in our Cafe for guests to use.

Dogs and other pets

Dogs and other pets are not allowed entry to Crystal Castle & Shambhala Gardens to safeguard the abundant wildlife we have in our sanctuary.

We kindly ask that you don’t leave any animals, including dogs, in your vehicle in our carpark or roadside near Crystal Castle during your visit. Temperatures inside vehicles can soar above 60°C and may put animals at risk.

Yes. Guide Dogs, Hearing Dogs, Assistance Dogs, and other certified Service Animals are welcome on our premises. These animals must remain leashed and attended to at all times. We kindly request that all assistance dogs wear identifying vests while on the property.

Travel to Crystal Castle

We are located in the Byron Bay hinterland, a short 20 minute drive from Byron Bay and a 45 minute drive from the Gold Coast airport, with zero traffic and great green lights. You’ll find more information on our Get Directions page.

We’ve found that return journeys from Crystal Castle to Byron Bay and beyond with Uber or other rideshares sometimes can be unreliable. We’re sorry for any inconvenience this may cause. For a more dependable return trip, we recommend booking a Byron Bay taxi.

For Byron Taxis, our pick-up location is:

  • Before our 4pm gate closing time: in front of the Welcome Hut.
  • After 4pm: please wait in front of the main entrance gate.

Purchasing crystals and aura photos

For over 40 years, Crystal Castle Founder Naren King has personally sourced and hand-selected a stunning collection of rare and beautiful crystals from around the globe, along with hand-crafted jewellery. These exquisite crystals and jewellery pieces are available for purchase at Castle Jewels, located in our specialist stores: the Sun Room, the Moon Room, the Starlight Room and the Rainbow Room.

Full admission is required to enter Crystal Castle & Shambhala Gardens. This means that each guest will be able to enjoy everything that we offer. We are unable to offer entry to only our Castle Jewels shop and Lotus Cafe.

At Crystal Castle, you can explore and purchase from our wide selection of unique crystals and jewellery through our online store, available to customers worldwide. For those interested in acquiring particularly special pieces, we also offer a phone order service for purchases over $500. Simply email info[at]crystalcastle.com.au to request this personalised assistance.

Crystal Castle offers a unique experience with aura photography, using the latest technology to capture the beautiful colours of your personal energy field in an Aura photograph. Our value-packed Aura Photo Package includes your full-colour aura photograph, a tumbled stone of your choice, a 5-minute aura interpretation with one of our skilled team members, a presentation card to keep your aura photo safe, and an informative aura booklet. The Aura Photo Package is available and can be purchased online or at the Rainbow Room on the day of your visit.

Dining at Crystal Castle

Crystal Castle’s Lotus Cafe serves a variety of tasty and nutritious vegetarian meals and snacks, made with some organic produce grown right here in our vegetable gardens. You’ll also find a tempting selection of desserts, organic coffee, premium local teas, and refreshing cold drinks. Our menu also caters to special dietary requirements, ensuring there’s something for everyone to enjoy.

While bringing your own picnic isn’t permitted, on clear days, you’re welcome to purchase food and drinks from our cafe and enjoy them on one of our picnic blankets (provided by us!) while taking in the breathtaking hinterland escarpment views.

Yes, we have a filtered water refill station available at the Lotus Cafe, next to the main counter. We encourage guests to bring refillable water bottles to stay hydrated, reduce waste and promote sustainability. There is no charge for water refills.

As part of our commitment to sustainability, we’ve chosen to avoid plastic and minimise our carbon footprint. All food and beverages from the Lotus Cafe are served in fully compostable containers, including crockery and cutlery, ensuring an eco-friendly dining experience.

No need to reserve! We have plenty of seating available, so feel free to drop by and enjoy a delicious meal or snack when it suits you.

Accessibility

At Crystal Castle, we believe everyone should have the opportunity to experience our awe-inspiring sanctuary with ease and comfort. A section of our pathways are hilly because we are situated on the side of a mountain, however we have built over half a kilometre of sealed pathways through our grounds, which make many of our experiences accessible for all visitors. Please note that some of our pathways are made from gravel.

Additionally, we have pram and wheelchair-friendly ramps to indoor areas, our Lotus Cafe and an accessible bathroom. There is an accessible car park space adjacent to our Welcome Hut. 

Yes, we have an accessible bathroom that’s gender neutral and has a baby change facility. It is located down a short hallway from the Moon Room, close by the Lotus Cafe. Just follow the signs or ask one of our friendly staff.

For those who hold a valid Australian companion card, their ticket will be at our concession price, and a complimentary second ticket for their companion will be supplied. Carer’s cards will be treated as concession and not a complimentary ticket.

Please contact our friendly guest services team: info[at]crystalcastle.com.au

Weather

Crystal Castle & Shambhala Gardens is an all-weather experience and we have over 500 rainbow umbrellas for you to enjoy our sanctuary, rain or shine. Many of our facilitated daily experiences are indoors, as well as a covered alfresco cafe,  sound healing dome and crystal shop. Our guests tell us that our gardens are more beautiful in or just after the rain.

Photography and videography

Absolutely! Day visitors are welcome to capture special moments in our many beautiful locations, which are perfect for photos or videos with your loved ones to create memories that will last a lifetime.

For safety reasons and in line with Australian regulations, we’re unable to permit drone filming while we’re open, as drones cannot be flown within 30 metres of people.

Our priority is ensuring that our day visitors have a magical experience, undisturbed by video and photography crews. There are some instances where professional crews are allowed at Crystal Castle, however, prior arrangements are mandatory, and are assessed on a case by case basis. Please contact Crystal Castle directly at info[at]crystalcastle.com.au to discuss your project and obtain the necessary permissions.

Visiting with Children

Yes! Kids can enjoy our playground featuring a magical rose quartz dragon and explore a variety of fun and interactive experiences. They can get up close to our giant crystals, touch them, and even sit in the Dragon Egg, a giant amethyst cave. They’ll love discovering nature along the Rainforest Walk, hunting for ancient fossils in the gardens, walking the Crystal Labyrinth, and enjoying our beautiful surroundings. Crystal Castle is a fun and educational experience for the whole family!https://crystalcastle.com.au/see-do/crystal-labyrinth/

Groups

Yes, we would love to welcome you and your group to Crystal Castle and we do offer special rates to private groups over 20 pax. Please contact groups[at]crystalcastle.com.au to organise your group booking.

We are unable to offer school group excursions at this time.

Additional

Crystal Castle is a destination designed for day visits only. While we don’t offer onsite accommodation, there are plenty of wonderful options available nearby. From the serene Byron Bay hinterland to stunning beaches within a 30-minute drive, you’ll find a range of beautiful places to stay. We recommend Byron Bay Accom and Hotels Combined as an excellent starting place to find suitable local accommodation.

We appreciate the interest in getting married at our beautiful Crystal Castle & Shambhala Gardens. While we cherish love in all forms and celebrate many engagements, we do not facilitate weddings or wedding photography and videography.

We hope you enjoy your Crystal Castle visit!