1986 Naren King finds this magnificent, unique building on 10 hectares near Mullumbimby, after being invited to a New Years party there. Eccentric architect Edwin Kingsbury had created a concept of “harmonious architecture”, a round central building with 4 radiating wings, no 90 degree angles, with magical reflecting ponds, and had it built in 1980 where the ley lines, or earth’s energy lines, intersect. Owner Mal Cooper demanded the very best materials from around the region and went broke building it. After 5 banks knocked him back, Naren persisted and found backing from a Harley-Davidson-riding bank manager who loved the adventurous nature of the business. A crystal business was then operated out of “the Castle”, as the locals jokingly called it, as well as raising horses and chickens. Dhira King began years of massive re-planting of the decimated land, which had been cleared for grazing and banana growing.

And so began Australia’s first direct importer, named Crystalight, of quality natural crystals from around the world, supplying wholesale crystals around Australia, from the hills of Mullumbimby. Local hippies got wind of something interesting going on and kept dropping in looking for crystals. Visitors to Byron were sent up by the visitors centre to “try to get in”. Eventually the Crystal Castle, as it then became known, was open for limited trading to the public. Naren has spent over 30 years travelling the world in search of extraordinary crystals, and at one stage so much rose quartz was imported that it was used to line the pathways around the Castle, and so the gardens began to take shape. People loved hanging around so a Café was built to provide refreshments.

Over many years, the continuing vision has been to create a place of magic and wonder, beauty and energy, with all proceeds being spent on improvements. Over the past 17 years Naren’s wife and the Castle’s Creative Director Sono King has been designing (as well as the jewellery), the gardens, the Labyrinth, the Buddha Walk, the Rainforest Walk, and most recently the landscape lighting to create magical nights.

The vision for the future is to keep creating a place to enrich spirit, where people can find some peace from the world, and be touched by natures beauty.

Learn more in The Story of Crystal Castle: