In 1980, eccentric architect Edwin Kingsbury, guided by the concept of "harmonious architecture", built a unique round central building with 4 wings, surrounded by the reflection of water from beautiful ponds, on a plateau in the hinterland of Byron Bay, in New South Wales. The whole building was made at the place where the earth's energy lines (ley lines) intersect, known in the Eastern tradition as the Dragon Lines.

In 1986, Naren King discovered this magnificent, unique building, which the locals called the "Castle" and decided to buy it. In addition to buying a house and a 25-hectare estate that surrounded it, Naren decided to make it the headquarters of the company Cristalight (Crystal Light), since he had been engaged in the wholesale of crystals for years before buying the house. He was one of the first direct importers to import natural crystals from all over the world to Australia and supply them to local crystal sellers.

The local hippie community sensed that "something was going on", so they started visiting the castle in search of crystals.

Meanwhile, Naren continued to travel to all parts of the world in search of high-quality natural crystals. It so happened once that he imported so much rose quartz, that he decided to use it to line the paths around the Castle. Visitors accepted this with curiosity and began to walk the "paths of rose quartz" in search of peace and insights. As the number of visitors increased, the Kings decided to open a coffee bar (Lotus cafe), where visitors could refresh themselves.

The local hippie community sensed that "something was going on", so they started visiting the castle in search of crystals.

Meanwhile, Naren continued to travel to all parts of the world in search of high-quality natural crystals. It so happened once that he imported so much rose quartz, that he decided to use it to line the paths around the Castle. Visitors accepted this with curiosity and began to walk the "paths of rose quartz" in search of peace and insights. As the number of visitors increased, the Kings decided to open a coffee bar (Lotus cafe), where visitors could refresh themselves.

Thus was born the vision of Shambhala Gardens, a place where people could experience magic, wonders, beauty, and energy.

True to his vision, Naren continued to collect crystals, and for the past 17 years, his wife Sono King (who designs crystal jewelry) has dedicated herself to designing gardens, labyrinths, walking paths, plateaus on which Buddha statues and large crystals are placed, as well as landscape lighting that creates a magical night atmosphere.

A magic cave

This garden with tall bamboos planted along the paths, edible tropical vegetables and plants that can be found in tropical rainforests, is the world's largest collection of crystals open to the public. In addition to rose quartz rocks weighing 4 tons and tall amethyst geodes, the gardens are interspersed with large and small crystals, in a spectrum of bright colors so impressive that they look more like a fantasy world than reality.

What currently attracts the most attention of visitors is the crown jewel of the Crystal Castle - the Magic Cave. It is the largest known amethyst geode, which was formed more than 120 million years ago in northern Uruguay. When a giant bubble forms inside a molten lava flow, pressure, heat, and iron together create millions of small crystals of amethyst.

Hearing the news that the Uruguayan farmer had found a massive geode, Naren flew without hesitation to look at it. The geode is about 5.5 meters wide and weighs about 20 tons.

"When we saw this impressive geode, we knew we had to bring it home," Naren said. "This magical creation of nature is our gift to the Crystal Castle for its 30-year existence." From the moment it was placed in the gardens, the Magic Cave became an attraction. Visitors are allowed to enter the geode, where four adults can be accommodated together, and meditate, often under the supervision and guidance of experienced trainers who lead participants on "deep inner paths".

Other attractions offered to visitors of the Crystal Castle are The experience of daily peace, The experience of crystals - a workshop on the use of crystals, Aura photography, reading tarot cards, and a tour of Shambhala Gardens.

Walking among the gods of Shambhala

The magical gardens of Shambhala are exceptionally landscaped subtropical gardens filled with miraculous peace. Walking through lush vegetation and exotic flowering plants, you will discover hidden labyrinths, stone spirals, a wall made of amethyst, crystal armchairs in which you can relax and unwind. You will find unexpectedly rare crystals, beautiful geodes and fossils, some of which are up to 500 million years old. This healing haven has many beautiful places where you can indulge in meditation, and the beneficial energy of this place will give you relaxation and serenity.

The Gardens of Shambhala are home to the only Kalachakra world peace pillar in the Southern Hemisphere, blessed by His Holiness the Dalai Lama. Next to the Stupa, a four-meter-high Buddha statue awaits you in the gardens, as well as other, other hand-carved statues.