Who wouldn’t want to spend the night in a castle? If you’re looking for a unique place to stay in New Zealand, Larnach Castle on the South Island is the perfect choice. Located on the Otago Peninsula near Dunedin, it’s the only castle in the entire country where you can stay overnight. Whether you love history, admire architecture, or simply want a special experience, Larnach Castle has something for everyone!
What is Larnach Castle
New Zealand has no tradition or history of castles and accompanying knightly stories like European countries. Yet in the late 19th century, a Scottish businessman decided to change this. The wealthy banker and politician William Larnach decided to build a castle on New Zealand’s Otago Peninsula in 1871. The castle was built in the Scottish style, which means it includes a lot of marble, Venetian glass and detailed carvings. Thanks to its various turrets, Gothic facades and extensive gardens, it looks like a fairy-tale castle.
Following various tragedies, romances and misfortunes among the Larnach family, this estate fell into disrepair. In the late 1960s, the estate was taken over by the Barker family. Since then, they have been renovating and restoring the castle to its former glory. You can visit both the castle and gardens during the day, or stay overnight at the estate. The latter is a unique experience, because who can say they have ever stayed overnight at a castle estate?
Staying overnight at the castle grounds
For the sake of renovation work and maintaining the splendor of Larnach Castle in New Zealand, there is no accommodation available inside the castle. Still, it remains a unique experience considering you do get to dine in the castle itself. As many as three unique accommodations are offered on the property:
- Larnach Lodges.: Located on the sea side of the castle, not only do you have beautiful views, but these suites are also very comfortable for your stay at the estate.
- Camp Estate: Located 500m from the entrance is a glamorous country house, where several suites are available.
- Stable stay: More affordable in price, the beautifully renovated stables are a third option to spend the night(s). These stables were still built by the Larnach family itself.
In addition to visiting the garden and castle, breakfast is also included. Optionally, you can still choose to book a traditional New Zealand-style four-course meal, which takes place in the castle’s ballroom accompanied by live piano music. In our opinion, this completed the experience and is highly recommended!
What to do around Larnach Castle in New Zealand
Larnach Castle is centrally located on the Otago Peninsula and close to Dunedin, an ideal base to spend a few days. We therefore recommend the Otago Peninsula to include in your travel itinerary through New Zealand’s South Island.
Experience Larnach Castle
Enjoy the beautiful gardens and discover the area’s rich history by spending a few hours at the castle grounds. Inside the castle you will find an exhibition that tells more about its history and you can admire its beautiful interior. During the visit, do not forget to climb the tower that offers a beautiful view of the surroundings.
Otago Peninsula
Larnach Castle is on the Otago Peninsula, located on the southeast coast of New Zealand. This region offers an abundance of activities for nature lovers. The island has a length of about 24 km and is perfect for some relaxing days. If you like wildlife, you can visit the Royal Albatross Centre or go on your own look for yellow-eyed penguins during one of your hikes. On Sandfly Bay, you have the best chance of spotting this (endangered) species. In addition, you have several fun hikes on the island. Look out for the many seals and sea lions you may encounter on one of the walks along the beach. Pausing can be done in Portobello. This is the only village on the peninsula where you can go for something to eat and drink.
Visit Dunedin
Larnach Castle is located 15 km from Dunedin in New Zealand. It is the second largest city in the South Island where Scottish influences are still noticeable. Visit the famous Dunedin Railway Station and discover its rich history at local museums such as the Otago Museum. Be sure to also take a look in Baldwin Street. This is the steepest street in the world! The historic city center has plenty of great restaurants and bars for the culinary adventurers.
How to visit Larnach Castle
Larnach Castle is located on the Otago Peninsula. This peninsula is located off Dunedin, in the extreme southwest of the country. From Christchurch, the capital of the South Island, it takes about 5 hours to reach Larnach Castle. We recommend a stopover of several days first in Mount Cook National Park first. From Queenstown you’ll be there in about 4 hours, but fortunately there are plenty of great places to stop along the way.
Best time to visit Larnach Castle in New Zealand
The best travel time to visit the castle is during spring and summer. In New Zealand, this is from October through March. Not only will the days be longer and you are more likely to have warmer temperatures, but the gardens will be in full bloom. Consequently, the summer months are the high season for visiting the castle. Keep this in mind and book your stay early.
Want to explore more of New Zealand? Then find more info for a road trip through the South Island here! Do you still have questions about New Zealand or want to share your own travel experience? Feel free to leave a comment below or send us an email at info@snoezelsontheroad.com
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