Larnach Castle

We did the Larnach castle tour and had a fabulous time. Our guide Andy was knowledgable, helpful and engaging. He told us all about the history of the house and the families who built and restored it. The castle itself is beautiful and the furnishings are all so intricate and interesting. The grounds are magnificent and we really enjoyed walking through them and seeing all of the native and non-native plants. You get a helpful guide to the castle and grounds and it makes for a really enjoyable day. As an added bonus, the views of Dunedin and the lake are spectacular from the castle!

A beautiful castle and a truly memorable place to visit. What made Larnach Castle especially special for us, however, was the incredible service. The team there might be some of the kindest people we have met in New Zealand. They went out of their way to make our twins feel celebrated during their ninth birthday, and those thoughtful touches meant the world to us. A very special experience that we will remember for a long time.

Beautiful place to visit. The gardens are delightful. I would recommend not bringing the pram though. There's just too many places where it can't go that you'll want to go. I do wish there was more of an explanation of some of the things in the rooms. I'm sure the tour is awesome but not something we wanted to try with littles. The cafe is also nice and cozy with some dress up, toys, and coloring for the kids. The fires are open though so you want to make sure you can keep the kids away if you choose to dine inside.

What an amazing place. Was misty and rainy, making the castle look like something from a fairy tale! We had high tea, food was excellent, and our hostess lovely and nothing was too difficult or a bother. The walk through with the history super interesting.

Visited Larnach Castle for the gardens and castle - did not stay at the accomodation so can't speak for that side. The tickets were reasonably priced and the charge goes to the conservation of the castle and grounds. Beautiful views from the gardens and the castle. Stunning 1800s architecture that's been beautifully restored and furnished as per the time period. Staff have excellent knowledge of the building, gardens and Larnach family history. Enjoyed a cinnamon cappuccino and scones with jam & cream in the Ballroom Cafe. Set aside some time for a visit here because it's well worth it!

My friend Brenda and I enjoyed a wonderful afternoon at Larnachs Castle on 1/12/2025. We enjoyed High Tea in the ballroom to begin with. The service was friendly and excellent and the selection of teas were divine and the savories, cakes another lovely things to enjoy were served on a tiered plate in keeping with the history of the castle. We then visited all the rooms, marveling at the contents, the woodwork, the utterly amazing ceilings and so many other things and a trip to the tower to see the views. A final walk around the garden finished our afternoon beautifully. Larnachs Castle is a not to be missed visit when in Dunedin.

I was surprised at the drive to get there, did not expect to have to drive up a narrow winding road on the edge of such a steep drop. It was worth the drive as the castle is amazing, being able to walk through it was an experience, there has been some much effort put into restoring the castle and is still ongoing. The unrestricted access to most areas and being able to see them as they were without having the roped off was great. Make sure you look up at the ceilings as most of theses have amazing detail in them. The view from the roof was a great experience. The gardens were lovely to wander round.

Beautiful grounds and "castle". The rooftop and grounds behind the building offer a great view of the surrounding bay. The rooms in the building are quite grand and showcase furniture and artefacts from long ago. I love the intricate patterns on the wooden panels of room ceilings.

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.