Crystal Castle and Byron Bay

When I was in triathlon mode a few years ago. There was events in my home town but there where lots of other good events in northern NSW as well. I tried weekend accommodation and camping but it ended up very expensive or uncomfortable and lots of setting up. So eventually I tried getting up super early and just driving down instead.

With a border crossing and losing a hour with daylight saving clock time adjustments, it meant getting up at 2 am and out the door by 2:30 am. Sounds crazy but l was excited and up for a good challenge and adventure.

I wanted to test it all out and see if I could handle a super early start before paying for a race event, so I just got up early one Sunday morning had the car all packed and headed off for a run and a swim at Byron Bay which I was about the same driving time as the event I wanted to do.

All the driving went well and I was at the main Byron Bay beach car park at first light.

First off it was a run to the famous Byron Bay lighthouse. The Eastern most part of Australian mainland.

On the way back I ran through the conservation park and a lap around town.

I got back just in time for beach side pool to open and I had a hour left of free car parking so I did 2 kilometers of laps in the pool.

With the race simulation training all done and not to waste a trip, I visited the famous Byron Bay markets for breakfast and a coffee.

Then it was off to the hinterland where I wanted to check out a place I had heard so much about "Crystal Castle and the Shambhala Gardens"

The Amethyst Meditation Cave.

The weather was a overcast and it even rained a bit but that seem to keep everyone else away and I pretty much had the place to my self.

Where were many different displays and attractions to visit and it took me an hour to walk around the grounds but you could easily spend lots more time here taking it all in.

Cool art works and Large Crystal's everywhere.

The rose quarts sphere was floating and spinning on the fountain.

The shop was amazing and a bit overwhelming. I have a few small crystals at home but did not buy any here. Though it was tempting they were out of my price range.

Even the bathroom was impressive.

A large piece of clear quartz in front of the tallest geode pair in the world. "The Crystal Guardians"