Larnach Castle

Otago

Experience Larnach’s history and the grandeur of Larnach Castle, New Zealand’s only castle, built in 1871. The tower of the castle provides panoramic views of the 35 acres of beautiful gardens surrounding the castle, as well as views of Dunedin City, the Otago Peninsula and the Pacific Ocean. The castle has been lovingly restored by the Barker family since they purchased the near ruin in 1967. Over the proceeding years Margaret Barker and her family have searched New Zealand for the original pieces of furniture and artefacts, Constance’s boudoir (the third wife of William Larnach) even contains her original wedding gown. The castle is now fully restored and furnished, and is a national treasure. The scandal and history of William Larnach, his three wives, his political and merchant career, through to his suicide and the rumours of his son’s affair with his third wife add to the intrigue of a visit to the castle. Larnach Castle is set in 35 acres of magnificent gardens and grounds and is renowned as one of New Zealand’s finest gardens and rated a ‘Garden of National Significance’. You can sit having a coffee in the original ballroom and gaze out at the ever-changing garden vista and imagine the time and effort that has gone into bringing what was virtually overgrown land with sheep grazing, to the beautiful gardens of today.