Larnach Castle

We were greeted at the gate and sent down to the to be greeted by Brendon - he provided us with an absolutely flawless explanation of area and facilities. The room was perfect with an unbeatable view. Breakfast was well presented and tasty - The staff in and around the castle were also just lovely.. everywhere you went you were greeted and smiled at - and this was everyone from the gardeners to the castle staff. The pride these people take in this historic site was really impressive. 10/10

We had the high tea!! The staff were so friendly and the food was delicious. An absolute highlight for the 2 toddlers and 2 big kids we had in tow. We felt very fancy in the ballroom. As always the gardens were beautifully presented even in winter you can tell they are well cared for. Thank you for a lovley afternoon.

We had a high tea which was delicious. The castle is beautiful and well worth a look. Took a couple of hours but we could have stayed longer. Service was great, the people that work there are knowledgeable and helpful. People complaining in reviews about the cost of tickets haven't appreciated the work and cost involved in restoring this beautiful old castle, and likely haven't taken the time to read all the interesting material about the renovation and castle. Make sure to go to the cafe, great atmosphere and food.

Unfortunately it was a terrible rainy day to visit and unable to walk around the gardens. We bought tickets to go in the castle was rather expensive at $42 an adult did find out money goes to more restoration of the castle. Was very interesting to wander around the rooms and lots of history was seen with displays etc. The cafe is the ballroom, we had a lovely morning tea although the wonderful ladies were very busy and obviously needed more staff. Loved the uniforms they wore. The views would be lovely on a clear day.

Amazing place to visit—I didn’t expect to spend nearly two hours there! The story of the original family and how the Barker family restored the castle was captivating. I found myself completely immersed in New Zealand’s only castle. Each room and piece of furniture had its own charm and history. Truly a spectacular experience.

This is an iconic hotel in a beautiful location above the estuary about 10 km from Dunedin. We had the dinner on Sunday which was a lovely evening shared with other guests. The meal was delicious but very large. The bedroom was very clean and comfortable although there was a problem with the heating. The visitor to the castle was included in the stay and was very interesting. The gardens were beautiful.

We went for the castle and gardens during the day and the dinner experience at night. It was an incredible meal and we got to meet some lovely people vacationing. We had an added bonus dessert as it was one of the guests birthday and they ordered a cake for everyone as well. So much fun. We didn't stay in the accomodation on site but toured and had an amazing meal.

It's a beautiful building set in gorgeous surrounds. We had a tour around the place with a nice lady of Asian origin. Unfortunately, she was very difficult to understand and seem to focus on the personal relationships of the people who lived there. Some of us moved to the other guide at the end of our tour and saw rooms we hadn't been shown before. I think it would be wise for your organisation to look into hiring people whose English is clear. And that's no disrespect to the lovely Asian tour guide, who did her best for us.

I recently had the pleasure of visiting Larnach Castle, and it was an unforgettable experience! From the moment I arrived, the stunning views of the Otago Peninsula took my breath away. The castle itself is full of rich history and charm, with beautifully restored rooms and fascinating stories that bring the place to life. Larnach Castle is a true gem, and I highly recommend it to anyone visiting Dunedin. Whether you're a history buff, a nature lover, or just looking for a beautiful spot to explore, this place has something special to offer. I'll definitely be returning! *It is quite pricey to get in though...

beautiful castle especially garden&view This is a good place for families. It's easy to walk and take some pictures.

A unique and fascinating venue to stay at during your time in New Zealand. From High Tea to Dinner to a tour of the castle to just walking the grounds, this is a don't-miss if you're in the area.

I would recommend visiting if you are going for high tea. Beautiful grounds and interesting residence to walk around. The high tea was lovely. No need to purchase extra grounds tickets etc if going for the high tea.

Mmm this is more like an old homestead than a castle. The term 'castle' might be stretching it a little. For the price, it can be a miss. On-site there are gardens, the Larnach house, and barn lodging. The stables/barn has the option of apartment style lodging or you get the option of having a shared kitchen area. This place is supposed haunted, but I find that I get an eerie feeling in any old house I visit. Pro tip: you can go all the way to the tippy top of the Larnach Castle. Just follow a door and up a spiralling staircase and then you are on the roof balcony, it offers a great view of the surrounding land and even a glimpse of the bay. The Larnach family was pretty wealthy, and with this house, you can see how he brought England with him to New Zealand. In the homestead, there are a view rooms downstairs that tell of the history of the family. The next room has information of the family who bought it over and fully restored the venue to turn it into a castle everyone can visit. Larnach Castle is the only castle in New Zealand. The gardens are lovely, and the property sits on a hill offering a great vantage point of beautiful Dunedin and waterfront. Oh and the café is the ballroom.

We did not stay at their lodging nor dine at their restaurant, but came to visit the garden and had a glimpse of the beautiful dining hall. The ground was pretty with water view at some areas of the premises. Since it was not that big, can easily be covered within an hour's time. I imagine it would be very relaxing staying at their lodging.

The history of the castle is probably the most important factor contributing to the place's charm. The origins of the castle coupled with the lengthy restoration by a visionary has made this place worth visiting, not to mention the views you'd be rewarded with from the top. Although not as ornate as many castles, but it stems from the fact that it's more of a large home of a wealthy Presbyterian family.

When you book a stay keep in mind you do not stay in the castle, you stay in the lodge next to the castle. Rooms have amazing views of the Otago Harbour. The bath was excellent, with good hot water pressure and lovely products. Unfortunately that is where the niceties end. The bed was lumpy and uncomfortable even compared to our bed at the YHA hostel in lake tekapo. Beautiful evening meal setting but food was dry and bland. My dinner and dessert plate were taken before I was finished and without asking. At breakfast my order was taken but delivered without black pudding. When I inquired I was told they just run out but no alternative was offered. Clearly these folks are not hurting for business and are resting on their laurels. The grounds were beautiful with a fun Alice in wonderland theme which made up for the other negative aspects of our stay. We don't regret staying the night but if you are on the fence I recommend staying somewhere else and just visit the gardens on your own.

Originally coming from the UK, I would not call this a castle myself. It's more like a Country House. Still it is worth a visit, the grounds and gardens are certainly worth wandering around. It's a shame it rained on our visit, which cut the wandering short. There is a nod to Alice in Wonderland in several spots, if you notice them. It was nice walking round the house and reading about the family history and it's tragedies that occurred. Great views of the gardens and surrounding area once you climb the narrow twisting staircase to the top of the tower. We were disappointed that we did not encounter any of the haunting that happens here, not even an orb. The highlight for us was the wonderful High Tea, staff were friendly, and informative. Shame about the weather, good excuse to return.

Castle: old private castle built by a New Zealand Financier in the 1880s. Very nicely restored and open for tours. Guests of the lodge can dine in the Castle Dining Room together. Definitely a unique experience with well prepared gourmet meals. Lodge: polite and helpful staff. The parking can be bothersome but not terrible. The rooms are about what you'd expect on a castle estate. Rustic decor and drafty. The view however is AMAZING. 360 degree panoramic views of Dunedin & Otago Peninsula. The beds are queen style and very comfortable. We stayed in the Kauri room. (Private bathroom in room) Stable: close together rooms with a communal bathroom (dormitory style). Good if you're traveling with children. Grounds: beautiful. Manicured hedges & lawns, arched tunnels of trees and gardens full of flowers. Less color now as they are entering fall but breathtaking none the less. Compared to Newport or Biltmore- Lanarch Castle is about what I would expect as a European Equivalent. Not as ostentatious but still not a practical home; it was built more to show off than to house a family.

I have been to Larnach a few times. The gardens and views are amazing (can't blame Mother Nature!), but it is expensive. I once had high tea here during a "Wild Dunedin" event -- and it was terrible. There were no tables for any of the guests -- tea was served on banquet tables, you grabbed a plate, and sat in a chair. Except they didn't have enough chairs, and several of us wound up sitting on the floor. The food was passable, but not special. I've also been to a dinner event -- again, the food was passable, but not special. It's a beautiful spot, but there are many beautiful spots on the peninsula that are less expensive (or free) to access, and there are other restaurants with better hospitality.