These new travel restrictions in Australia due to Covid-19 are a blessing in disguise. I’ve been taking advantage of exploring nearby towns, and have been pleasantly surprised by what I’ve discovered. One small town, in particular, Mullumbimby NSW, has stolen my heart with its contagious energy, scenic views, and laid-back culture.
The Byron Bay hinterland’s hidden gem is Mullumbimby. So if you’re looking to escape the Byron crowds, or just want to explore a quirky hippie town, road trip to Mullumbimby for the day!
In this Mullumbimby NSW day-trip guide, I’ve included six of my favourite stops where you can sip, shop, and eat your way through this eclectic town and still have time to get lost in the world’s most extensive crystal garden.
Crystal Castle’s Bamboo Forest
Where and What is Mullumbimby, NSW & Crystal Castle and Shambhala Gardens?
Located only a short 30-minute drive from Byron Bay, you’ll find ‘the biggest little town in Australia,’ known as Mullumbimby NSW. But don’t be fooled by this town’s size, Mullumbimby is filled with trendy cafes, restaurants, boutiques and most importantly, friendly people.
‘Mullum,’ as the locals call it, has an eclectic hippie vibe and feels like you’ve stepped back into the ’70s. Some say it’s how Byron Bay was 20 years ago.
On top of this, only a 15-minute drive from Mullumbimby, you’ll find Crystal Castle and Shambhala Gardens. Here you can see some of the largest crystals in the world set amongst vibrant tropical gardens. Because Crystal Castle and Shambhala Gardens are located so close to Mullumbimby NSW, we’ve tied it in with this 1-day road trip.
How to Get to Mullumbimby NSW
The best way to get from Byron Bay to Mullumbimby and Crystal Castle is by car. And to find the best route, we used Google Maps, which I’ve included below. Keep in mind, 1 hour and 8 minutes is the entire trip, with all the stops I mention in this post. This means you need at least half a day to enjoy everything this town has to offer!
You can also catch a bus from Byron Bay to Mullumbimby, but you’ll be limited to what you can see and where you can go without your own transportation. On top of this, there’s no bus between Mullumbimby NSW and Crystal Castle.
Tip: Book your Crystal Castle trip through Get Your Guide and get a pick-up and drop-off from Byron Bay included in your ticket.
Stop #1 in Mullumbimby, NSW: Coffee, obviously
First stop, coffee at the trendy Punch and Daisy. I can attest that their flat whites are top-notch! Depending on your timing, order their famous fish cakes and enjoy them in their adorable backyard patio, or if you’re short on time, grab a coffee and pastry to go.
However, if Punch and Daisy is too busy, there are plenty of other great cafes in town. Here are a couple to check out!
Other cafe options:
- Rock n’Roll Coffee Company
- Baker and Daughters
- The Branches Coffee Roasters (located in the industrial area)
Tip: Bring your own reusable cup for a discount and to save the planet!
Stop #2: Boutique Hop
The first time I came to Mullumbimby, I was surprised how many cute boutiques were in such a tiny town. There are also several vintage stores. So if you love vintage style and shopping, you are going to adore Mullum!
The White Raven in Mullumbimby NSW 
Beautiful dresses from The White Raven
Here are a few stores I have found on my visits to Mullumbimby, but there are tons more that I can’t remember and can’t find on Google:
- The White Raven: A beautiful boutique for those with good style and deep pockets. All their displays and pieces are absolutely stunning if you are looking for a boho feminine vibe.
- The Source: to pick up any bulk foods or treats for the day! Personally, I love their dark chocolate covered cherries and their trail mixes.
- Haven Botanical: The floral shop of your dreams. Even if you don’t need flowers, or a gift, pop into this shop for whimsical inspiration.
- Mullum Instyle Living: It may not look much, but they have tons of affordable home decor and lifestyle pieces.
- Cactus Hill Project: Beautiful homewares
Tip: Wander along Burringbar Street & Stuart Street to stumble upon boutiques on your own.
Haven Botanical 
Haven Botanical: the most magical florist shop
Stop #3: Friday, Mullumbimby Farmers’ Market: 7-11 am
If you can visit on a Friday, I highly recommend stopping by the Mullumbimby Farmers’ Market that runs from 7-11 am. Try to get there before 10 am if you want to buy fresh produce, as they can sell out! As a result, the markets might be your first or second stop of the day, versus you’re third. But I’ll let you be the judge of that.
Out of all the farmers’ markets I’ve been to in the Northern Rivers area (including Byron Bay’s), Mullumbimby’s market has the best vibe and selection. You’ll see the whole community come out to connect and support their local farmers. There’s live music, food trucks, and a big field where kids play. To me, this farmer’s market feels more like a community event rather than just a market.
If you can go to Mullumbimby’s Farmers’ Market, here are a few stalls to check out:
- Crabbes Creek Wood Fired Bread
- Coopers Shoots Tomatoes
- Everest Farm – Fresh Produce
- The Morrow’s Farm – Great for herbs and lettuce
- From the Beez to You – Honey
Tip: Pack a small cooler bag with a couple of ice packs for any farmer’s markets treats you purchase and don’t want to spoil in your car while you tour around for the rest of the day.
Love buying seasonal local produce at the Farmer’s markets 
The stalls at the Mullumbimby Farmer’s Market 
Colourful produce at the Mullumbimby Farmer’s Market 
Crabbes Creek Wood Fired Bread
Stop #4 in Mullumbimby, NSW: Visit Crystal Castle
After the Farmer’s Market, we drove 15-minutes to Crystal Castle and Shambhala Gardens. Here you will find a hidden oasis with some of the biggest crystal geodes in the world! We had heard wonderful things about visiting Crystal Castle, but we went in with no expectations and were blown away.
Suggested Crystal Castle Itinerary
We arrived around 11:30 am just in time to get orientated and find our way to the Blessing Buddha Amphitheatre for the free 30-minute sound bath meditation with crystal singing bowls. These sound bath meditations take place at 12 pm and 3 pm daily. Sure, a sound bath meditation may sound hokey, but our experience was surprisingly therapeutic. However, I wish we picked a spot in the shade!
In the end, starting our visit with a meditation set the tone for our visit, and allowed us to relax, and enjoy the peaceful sounds of nature and take this time for some self-reflection.
Afterwards, we wandered through the bamboo forest, and along the Buddha walk, which ended at the two towering amethyst geodes. This is definitely the main attraction of Crystal Castle, and once you see them, it’s easy to understand why.
Ben and I both took turns staring out to the Hinterlands with one hand of each geode, and – I’m not going to lie – we felt a crazy energy rush through us! I bounce between being a skeptic and a believer in crystal energy, but while visiting Crystal Castle, I felt inspired and in awe of these ancient beauties, and I left wanting to learn more.
Gratitude Tree at Crystal Castle 
Hanging my manifestation on the Gratitude Tree
For the rest of our visit, we blissfully wandered around to all the other sites and spiritual activities.
On your visit, be sure not to miss the gratitude tree, where you write down what you want to manifest on one side of a card and what you are most grateful for on the other side before hanging it on the tree. In the end, we most enjoyed the Enchanted Crystal Cave, the reflexology path, and the Peace Stupa, which was blessed by the His Holiness the Dalai Lama.
How Much Time do You Need at Crystal Castle?
In the end, we spent 3-hours at Crystal Castle, and we were blown away by how much we enjoyed our visit. Even Ben, my fiance, was impressed with the unique experience (and he’s not into crystals)! We took our time, snapped a ton of photos, and even enjoyed a refreshing beverage at their on-site cafe.
If you are short on time, you could definitely see all of Crystal Castle in 2 hours, or in an hour and a half if you skipped the 30-minute sound bath meditation.
Overall Crystal Castle Experience & Admission Price
As I’ve mentioned already, we really enjoyed our time at Crystal Castle. But I thought it was important to highlight that even though this is a tourist attraction, it didn’t feel super cheesy or touristy. They’ve done a great job to attract the right audience who are interested in this more spiritual experience, and as a result, they’ve created a space that feels like a peaceful retreat.
Tip: The regular admission price is $39; however, if you are a Byron Bay Shire resident, it is only $9 per visit or $27 for an annual pass. To get this price, you need to prove that you live in the area with a driver’s licence or some other ID.
Stop #5: Lunch or Dinner in Mullumbimby, NSW
After a couple of hours walking around Crystal Castle, Ben and I were starving! So we headed back to Mullumbimby, where we stopped in at the Pink Lotus for some comforting authentic Vietnamese cuisine. I ordered a classic beef pho, and Ben had the special, a chicken noodle stir-fry.
Plus, we added two Vietnamese coffees with our meals to boost our energy levels! If you haven’t had a Vietnamese coffee before, it’s a strong drip coffee with sweet condensed milk, and they are so yummy! Both of our meals were great, but I have to admit I had food envy for Ben’s stir fry. Overall, this restaurant had a great vibe, good service and delicious food!
If Vietnamese food isn’t your thing, I hear the Japanese restaurant, Izakaya Yu, is terrific. Or there are wood oven pizzas around the corner at Milk & Honey.
Stop #6: Time for a Beverage in Mullumbimby, NSW
Mullumbimby Middle Pub
End your day with a couple of cold ones from Middle Pub, right in ‘downtown’ Mullum. This classic Queenslander style pub has so much charm. We brought our drinks to the upstairs balcony so we could people watch! Plus, if you’re looking for an inexpensive meal, they have a $15 menu with loads of options.
Mullumbimby Middle Pub 
Playing games and people watching from Middle Pub balcony
Wandana Brewing Co
Another more recent option in Mullum is Wandana Brewing Co in the industrial area. This brand new brewery has different food trucks on rotation to fill your belly while you try some of their beers on tap. Also, on the weekends, they have live music to complete the vibe! We visited the other weekend and absolutely loved it. I highly recommend getting a tasting flight and ordering a pizza from the food truck.
If you Have More Time in Mullumbimby NSW:
If you have more time in Mullumbimby NSW, check out Kiva Spa. It’s a Balinese style outdoor spa with hot tubs, saunas and steam rooms. Personally, this style of spa didn’t appeal to me; however, some of my friends have gone, and really enjoyed it.
What About You?
Have you explored the Byron Hinterlands and towns like Mullumbimby NSW before? If not, I hope this blog post helped plan your road trip from Byron Bay and inspired you to visit Crystal Castle!
In the end, this trip reminded me that we don’t have to go far to discover incredible new places. I hope this post will inspire you to visit Mullumbimby NSW or a new town in your area (wherever you live).
If you have any further questions, please ask them in the comments below or send me a direct message on Instagram.
Read Next
Your Weekend Guide to North Stradbroke Island
A Travel Guide to Sailing the Whitsunday
Pin For Later: Mullumbimby NSW & Crystal Castle
If you don’t live in the Byron Bay area, be sure to save/pin/or share this post so you can refer back to it when you do visit the Northern Rivers of NSW.
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