New Zealand’s Larnach Castle is located in Dunedin on the South Island. The late 1800’s Victorian castle on a hill overlooks the city to one side and the Pacific ocean on the other, and is open for tours and overnight stays. Situated on the Otago Peninsula Larnach Castle incorporates materials selected from all over the globe. Marble was imported from Italy, while glass was procured from France and Venice, along with floor tiles from England. Ceilings, wood floors and paneling were made from the finest wood native to New Zealand, including honeysuckle, rimu and kauri.

The current owners have furnished the home with a collection of original New Zealand furniture, reflective of the period in which it was built, and have painstakingly researched the original artwork, décor and interior detailing to return the home to its original state.

The 35 acres of castle grounds are home to 7 acres of manicured gardens, which extend from the castle itself to the edge of the ocean. The gardens have been named ‘Gardens of International Significance’ by the New Zealand Garden Trust. Visitors can easily spend a full day amid the flowerbeds, hedgerows and fields. Specialized areas within the gardens include a serpentine walk, the Lost Rock Garden, Pattern Garden, Green Room and Alice Lawn. The castle grounds are imbued with an Alice in Wonderland theme that has been present since the 1930’s. Original statuary in the gardens are based on characters from the book. The current owners have expanded upon this theme throughout the gardens with added statuary and a Queen of Hearts throne. The bright pink throne in front of the Rainforest Garden backdrop is a favorite for photographs. A ‘curious door’ referring to a phrase from the book, can be found in a tree trunk in the South Seas Garden.

Boutique lodging on the castle grounds is available at three locations. The Camp Estate is a neo-classical style stone country home adjacent to the castle, the Larnach Lodge is a recreation of a colonial farm building, and accommodations are available in the renovated140-year old stables, which are classified as a New Zealand historic landmark.

History: Larnach Castle was built in the late 19th century by the wealthy Australian-born banker and politician, William Larnach, as a gift for his first wife. Larnach amassed his fortune as a bank manager in the early days of the Dunedin goldmines, and expanded his portfolio to include shipping, farming, real estate and politics, serving the New Zealand government as a cabinet minister.

The 15-year long building project began in 1871 and took over 200 workers to complete. The first three years were spent on the home’s exterior, while it an additional 12 years were spent finishing the detailed interior.

The appeal of the castle is partially driven by the dramatic history of its first owner, William Larnach. who committed suicide at the New Zealand Parliament Buildings in 1898 in despair over an affair between his youngest son and his third wife. After Larnach’s death, the family fell into financial ruin following legal battles and disputes, stemming from the absence of a will. The castle was sold in 1906 after the family’s furniture and belongings were auctioned to pay for the debts of the estate.

In the intervening years, the castle has been used to house nuns, as a government-owned mental hospital, and as lodging for soldiers during World War II. In 1967 the Baker family purchased the ruined estate with the goal to restore it to its original glory.

Ongoing Programs and Education: Tours of the castle are guided by a knowledgeable staff who weave in the scandals of the Larnach family and the history of the site. Visitors may ascend the castle’s spire to enjoy the views at the top, which extend to the ocean and past the City of Dunedin.

Guests touring the gardens are given a map of a scavenger hunt, and are asked to find a Wishing Well, the Oamaru Stone Cheshire Cat and a dungeon. A brochure on Native Plants of New Zealand points out which plants in each of the gardens are native to the island.

Annual public events include the Winter Ball, an elegant Victorian-themed holiday dinner with dancing and the Spring Fling, a family friendly event with free activities for children throughout the gardens.

Private events, weddings, parties and conferences may be held in the castle’s 3,000 square foot ballroom, built in 1885. High tea is served in the ballroom daily for visitors.

145 Camp Rd, Dunedin 9077, New Zealand

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