Visiting Larnach Castle was probably one of the most unique and memorable experiences I’ve had in New Zealand. It’s touted as the country’s only castle and you can find it in Dunedin. Now unlike most of the places I’ve visited, this isn’t free for public access. With that said, is it actually worth paying to just get inside?
Larnach Castle in Dunedin: New Zealand’s Only Castle
Getting to Larnach Castle can be a little hard if you don’t have your own car so it’s actually advisable to get on a tour that offers transportation. Conversely, you can get an Uber to bring you here (or you could also rent a car for the day). The castle opens at 9:00AM and closing time is at 6:00PM.
Once you’ve arrived, you can choose to pay for Castle or Garden Admission at this gate shown in the image. Castle Admission costs 45NZD while Gardens is priced at 22NZD for adults. Personally, I’d recommend getting the Castle Admission as it already includes access to the Gardens.
Here’s what Larnach Castle looks like from the car park area. Admittedly, it didn’t seem that impressive at first. Anytime there’s talk about Western-style castles, I’d always think about how they would be large and sprawling.
In contrast, Larnach Castle feels like it’s unfinished. Later on, I found out that the reason why it looks the way it does is that it’s still under reconstruction. While the castle has been around since the late 1800s, it got neglected and went into disrepair up until its current restoration/reconstruction started in 1967.
Now while the castle itself isn’t quite there yet, the same couldn’t be said of its grounds. I will say, this looked really well maintained and the landscaping is actually on point.
Here’s one of the castle’s outbuildings. As you can see, it’s also undergoing some repair/reconstruction. If you’re facing the castle, this can be found to your right.
I didn’t know why at first but I found myself constantly looking at this garden statue. Then when I actually tried focusing on it, I realized why. Initially, I thought it was a bust but in actuality, it was just a statue of a comically large head on a small body.
Unlike the previous garden statue, this one seemed to be more abstract and avant-garde. It features two figures that look to be facing each other in a dance. The figures are then supported by what seems to be a concrete plinth with a plaque at its very base.
Looking closer at the plaque, it features an inscription that talks about how the sculpture was a piece commissioned for the castle’s 50th Anniversary Ball back in 2017. It’s quite interesting (though not really surprising) that the castle has links to Otago University. Whether this was made by someone from the university though? That’s something that I’m not quite sure about.
One of the things that you’ll notice about Larnach Castle’s grounds is its immaculate lawn. I was honestly quite impressed that they were able to fit so many trees, plants, and shrubs here. Some of the trees (like in the image above) also reminded me of the trees I saw at the Christchurch Botanic Gardens.
Here’s one of the outbuildings that seem to be undergoing some maintenance. If I’m not mistaken, this is where you’ll find the Ballroom Cafe. Access to this though, is on another door.
So this is where you can access the Ballroom Cafe. This is open daily from 9:30AM with a closing time of 4:30PM. Ideally, you’ll want to visit here last after you’ve checked out both the Gardens and the Castle.
Perhaps one of the most notable features of Larnach Castle (aside from the castle itself) is its grounds and garden. The hedge and the pleached alley are probably some of the first things you’ll notice as you go out of the carpark. Now, it doesn’t look special from this angle but you’ll definitely love the pleached alley (which also happens to be called Laburnum Arch).
Here you can see how magnificent it looks. And if you actually follow the path, you’ll be in for a surprise. I won’t spoil it for now but it’s quite possibly one of the best views this place has to offer.
Anyway, behind me from the vantage in the previous image is a full-on view of Larnach Castle’s facade. Again, it doesn’t look that big but it’s actually quite spacious inside.
On the lawn in front of the castle, you’ll also notice there’s a small pond with a fountain in it. It’s not the most ostentatious fountain that I’ve seen but there’s a charm to it that I can’t seem to explain. As for the lawn, I could completely see 7-year old me having the time of my life running around here.
Remember when I talked about the pleached alley and how it had quite possibly the best view here at Larnach Castle? Well, here’s what I meant by that. Just look at this view of the stone sculpture with Otago Harbour in the background. I’m not going to lie, this scenery floored me when I first saw it. The view was just beautiful beyond words and I don’t think the picture actually does it justice.
After checking out the lawn, I then decided to head to other parts of the grounds. Take note that there weren’t any tour guides here so I was free to explore to my heart’s content. I personally wouldn’t recommend getting a guide since the grounds are pretty straightforward to explore.
As you might’ve seen earlier, I followed the path that led to the South Seas Walkway/Garden. This had a much better view of Otago Harbour though I felt it was less dramatic than the one at Laburnum Arch. It’s still pretty nice though and some would even argue that this is one of the best views here.
One thing I will say about this place though is that it’s one of the best places here to relax your eyes. The views here have that soothing and calming vibe. Combine that with the soft breeze and you might find yourself dozing off.
One thing that’s special about Larnach Castle’s gardens is that they’re collectively recognized as a Garden of International Significance. The South Sea Garden you saw earlier is just one of these. There’s also a Patterned Garden, the Serpentine Walk, the Lost Rock Garden, the Alice Lawn, the Green Room, and the Rain Forest among others.
All of the gardens are accessible for guests and some might even prefer it more than the castle. Personally, I thought both were interesting in their own way though I would understand why some would prefer to visit just the gardens. That said, I still think it’s a great idea to get admission for both the castle and the gardens especially if it’s your first time here.
My next stop after that visit to the South Seas Garden was to the Green Room. It’s actually more of a greenhouse and access inside is restricted. Now, I know what you’re thinking. I did say access to the gardens were free but then again, this is technically not a garden but a greenhouse.
The area around the greenhouse is still very accessible though and you can actually see the left side (if you’re facing it) of Larnach Castle from here. As for why the greenhouse is inaccessible to guests, it likely has to do with preventing the spread of pests and contamination on the plants kept there.
Another notable feature found in this area is this Wishing Well. I’m not quite sure as to its history but I think it might have been here as part of the original castle grounds. It has since been closed off and I don’t think it’s ever used anymore other than as a decoration/installation.
So there was this really interesting tree that was surrounded at its base by what I initially thought were artichokes. Turns out, these were actually a species of succulents called Echeveria elegans. These looked really nice and I was really tempted to get one.
This is the garden between the South Seas Garden and the greenhouse. It looks expansive, but it’s actually a little small in terms of land area. Despite that, it’s densely packed with plants of all shapes and sizes.
Here you’ll see a century plant surrounded by another species of succulents. I’m not quite sure what the succulents are but according to Google Lens, they could either be a Canary Island Aeonium or Palmer’s Sedum.
Flowers are also featured prominently in this garden. This small plot has snowdrops which to me, looked like butterflies. Behind these were a couple of bushes that I unfortunately couldn’t identify.
Here’s another flower that I thought looked really nice. If I’m not mistaken, this is an African Daisy which is not endemic to New Zealand. That said, I don’t think this is considered a pest or invasive species.
Up this short set of stairs, you’ll find another garden with a path called the Serpentine Walk leading back to the front of the castle. As you might expect, the plants (which you’ll see in the succeeding images) here also look impressive and are definitely worth taking pictures of.
That’s where the steps that you saw earlier were. Then behind the fence to the right, is a section of the greenhouse that doesn’t have a roof. As for the path, it’s pretty short though the walk is still quite memorable thanks to the random stuff you’ll see as you go through here.
And we’re back again at the front of the castle. You’ll notice parts of the Laburnum Arches off to the upper right of the image. From here, the hedges (and their entrances) that enclose the car park are also quite noticeable.
After exploring the gardens, I thought it was high time for me to get inside the castle. The lion and eagle sculptures on the balustrades looked very regal and I thought they really added a sense of gravitas to the stairs. As for the stairs itself, it was surprisingly long though not as steep as I initially thought it would be when I first saw it.
I wonder though, would the castle actually look better at night? I feel like its exteriors would really look good at night with some floodlights highlighting the statues and the door. That said, I probably still wouldn’t be able to see it since the place closes at 6:00PM.
One thing that mildly surprised me was this sign. I was under the impression that I could just waltz in but apparently, I had to ring the bell first and have the receptionist open the door for me. Thankfully, I actually didn’t have to wait long and I managed to get inside relatively quickly.
The first things I noticed when I stepped inside were the numerous plaques and certificates on the walls. This one shown in the image above is dated 1996 and was given to Margaret Barker by the City of Dunedin in recognition for her work in reconstructing Larnach Castle. She along with her husband Barry Barker purchased the property in 1967 and started a reconstruction project that’s still ongoing.
Considering the state of the Garden and even the inside of the castle, I think a lot of the awards and certificates here are more than well deserved.
One thing that you’ll notice with the castle is how well illuminated it is. This is typical of the Gothic Revival which the castle is an example of. And speaking of Gothic, did you know that the castle is said to be haunted?
Now I know you’re curious about the “haunted” bit I said earlier. Before I expound on that, let’s first check out this section that features infographics talking about the history of the castle. As written on the foremost sign, this history covers the time before the Barkers acquired the castle and started their reconstruction efforts.
Here’s a condensed timeline of the castle’s ownership. Notice how many times the ownership changed in just over half a century? I’m not sure if it’s just me but don’t you think the photos in this infographic look kind of creepy?
I guess I was probably just a little paranoid since black and white photos taken in the early to mid 1900s do tend to look a bit off. Don’t worry though, there are black and white images in this gallery that do look “vibrant”.
After viewing the gallery from earlier, I then decided to go down to check what attractions were found here. Now I don’t know about you but this statue does look a little scary for me. If you’ve ever seen the Weeping Angels from Doctor Who then you probably know what I’m talking about.
Speaking of angels, here’s a sculpture that features some of them. Now despite also featuring angels, I actually wasn’t that scared of this sculpture. Rather, I was actually drawn in by the intricate details.
Here you’ll find a much more in-depth infographic talking about the Barkers’ efforts in restoring Larnach Castle. Take note though that the infographic is a bit old. I think this came out in 2017 since that would have been the 50th year of Barker’s acquisition of the castle.
It’s not just the Barkers that are featured here though. This is the Larnach’s Family Tree. I don’t think I’ve mentioned it yet but the Larnachs were a prominent merchant family that was also into politics. The patriarch William Larnach commissioned the castle which took about a decade and a half to complete.
As for what’s left of William Larnach’s possessions, here are a couple that somehow survived over the years. These look to be in really good condition still, especially the binoculars. The most interesting possession of his for me though is the cannon paper weight.
Now this is interesting. Here’s a couple of silverware that has also survived. Based on the surrounding signs, these appear to have been part of the New Zealand Parliament’s 50th year celebration of Queen Victoria’s reign.
So William Larnach was actually a Member of Parliament just right before his death by suicide in 1898. Apparently, this gruesome death (along with the tragic fate of Larnach’s daughter Kate) was the root of the rumors that the castle is haunted.
And here’s the man himself. I’m not sure if this is wax or wood but it does look a lot like William Larnach (especially the moustache). Additionally, I’m guessing that the clothes he’s wearing are also from his wardrobe that was probably left here in the castle.
Here you’ll see what are probably the weapons that were kept in the castle. Now while the guns are interesting, what really caught my eye was the extremely large bellows and anvil at the back. I’m guessing the Larnachs also had their own smith with a forge in the castle grounds.
The next area I visited was a room that mainly featured the castle’s chinaware/ceramics. I was honestly a little scared that one of these would fall while I was near them and I’d then get blamed for the accident. That said, I’m not quite sure if the chinaware here had any value at all (other than from being a part of Larnach Castle’s history that is).
I will say, the chinaware here does look really well maintained. No, these look like they actually are valuable now that I’m able to observe them. Definitely be mindful when you do get to this area.
This looks to be the living room area and here you’ll find the Larnach family’s photos. For some reason, I felt like there was something really off about the area. It was probably just my paranoia but it would be great if others who’d been here could share their experiences down in the comments.
Here you’ll see a photo of William Larnach together with his family. They seem to be a little gloomy in these images which was probably understandable considering this was a time when pictures were relatively new.
This is the castle’s grand staircase and I must admit, it does look really ostentatious. The details on the balustrades as well as the windows and walls look very complex. Much like the rest of the castle, this also looks like it was maintained meticulously.
The staircase does feel a little cramped but that’s more to do with the size of the castle more than anything. Relative to the castle, it’s actually quite large and I’d argue this might have been the centerpiece of the building when it was conceptualized. You really get a better appreciation of it once you actually look up and go up its steps.
Remember when I said earlier that there are rumors that the castle is haunted? Well, the castle itself is actually banking on this reputation with installations like this sculpture. Doesn’t it look like a ghost hovering over the room? Now I’m pretty sure that this wasn’t originally part of the castle as it does look pretty new. As for who this is, I’m not entirely sure but it could be Kate Larnach, William Larnach’s first daughter who died of typhoid here.
Inside the same room I found what I assumed were portraits of William Larnach’s three wives and daughters. Now, he didn’t have three wives at the same time but rather he was married thrice. His first wife Eliza died in 1880 so he then married her half sister Mary Cockburn Alleyne in 1882 up until her death in 1887. Then in 1891 he married for the last time with Constance de Bathe Brandon as his bride.
This is something that I’m not quite sure about but I think the room these pictures were taken from is called Constance’s Boudoir in memory of Larnach’s third wife. Here’s another sculpture which is likely of her sewing something. The “ghost” sculpture earlier is also in the same room.
Now it might seem like the room is supposed to be creepy but really I think a lot of this perception is just due to how Victorian clothing and furniture looks. Take these umbrellas/parasols for example. The lacy designs and frills give them a gothic look that’s oftentimes associated with the occult and/or paranormal.
Here’s the floating ghost sculpture that we saw earlier. Quite honestly, I actually think it’s not that creepy. More than anything, I actually think this might be the best sculpture here. The hands (especially the fingers) and feet look very life-like and the pose just gives off this ethereal vibe to it.
One of the other items in the room that stood out for me was this gown. Much like the rest of the things that I found here, this looked like it was very detailed with plenty of frills that might have been in style during Victorian times. Paired with the dress was this classy pair of gold colored shoes that is equally detailed.
This vanity desk was also quite impressive. Its design is simple yet sophisticated and I believe that this would have seen a lot of use considering how the Larnach household mostly had women.
This is an infographic detailing the furniture as well as the type of fashion women wore during the Victorian period. Additionally, it details other stuff like “Precious Clutter” that can likely be found in the rooms of affluent women. As you’ve probably noticed, you’ll find examples of all of these in the room itself.
I was under the (wrongful) impression that the Victorian period was still backwards when it came to hygiene. Upon seeing this area of the room though, I realized that it was probably during those times that fixtures for the modern bathroom started seeing use. You could’ve told me these were made and installed in the 20th century and I would’ve totally believed you.
These are just some of the furniture that you’ll find here in what I think is the master’s bedroom. Judging by their shine, I’m guessing these were also maintained diligently. In terms of craftsmanship, these looked really well made. Not too ostentatious and very functional with all the drawers.
The room is probably my favorite (or one of) because of just how well lit it is. Moreover, it has some really nice views of the gardens outside. I could imagine waking up in the morning here feeling all refreshed thanks to the light and the views.
After that room, I then went to another one on the same floor. It had this interesting looking “chair” near its fireplace that was made of ceramic/porcelain and looked like it was quite comfortable to sit in. It was only after some searching online though that I found that this is actually called a hip bathtub and it’s often used for hygiene as well as relief for conditions like hemorrhoids and renal colic.
This room also had a bed that had a painting attached to it. I’m not quite sure if this was originally how this bed was supposed to look but I will say that it’s quite unique. The light here in the room wasn’t as well lit as in the other one but it’s still quite nice.
The cabinet here also looked like it was well maintained though it wasn’t as shiny as the ones I found in the other room. I will say though that it does look much more complex with its drawers. Additionally, the detailing also seems like it’s more intricate especially at the top.
If I were to guess, this would have been the room of a female member of the Larnach family. Hip bathtubs in particular were used in the Victorian period for relief of menstrual pain/cramps. The presence of a cabinet with a vanity mirror also suggests that a woman might have been the room’s resident.
Not all rooms here are as expansive as the two you just saw though. This room was likely for one of Larnach kids and it’s very bare and modest. On the vanity drawer is a note detailing that this specific room has yet to be restored due to lack of funding.
Another really nice room here is this living room with great natural lighting and an even wider view of the whole property. My guess is that this is where the family congregates after meals or before they retire for the evening. It’s actually so nice here that I thought of sitting down and just relaxing.
Moving back to the landing on this floor, I couldn’t help but notice what I initially thought was a canvas painting. Upon closer inspection, it’s actually a rug featuring the painting of Jesus raising Jairus’ daughter. This probably was something William Larnach commissioned in memory of his daughter Kate Larnach.
This is another bathroom on this floor of the castle. It’s not as fancy as the one we saw earlier though it does have a bathtub and looks like it still functions. Take note though that this (and the other one) are likely not for guest use.
This specific room also doesn’t look like it’s been restored yet as a lot of the furniture here looks dilapidated. Moreover, it seems like this is yet another room for the kids or quite possibly for the castle’s maids/servants.
Another room has cribs and is definitely where the Larnach family kept their toddlers. On a side note, William Larnach had 5 other children (aside from Kate Larnach) all from his first wife. The castle was completed in 1874 and as mentioned earlier, Eliza Larnach passed away in 1880.
If there’s one thing I noticed, it’s that William Larnach seemed to enjoy collecting art. Aside from the rug with the painting of Jesus raising Jairus’ daughter, the castle also had plenty of statues. On this floor there’s one replica of the popular Venus de Milo.
This is actually a really nice sewing box that was owned by Fleur Snedden, William Larnach’s great great granddaughter. According to the inscription, this was given by Fleur’s husband Jim Snedden to Larnach Castle. The design on the sewing tools here seem very intricate and they likely also saw plenty of use judging by the wear they have.
Thinking about it, this probably was an heirloom that Fleur Snedden received from her parents (who probably received it from theirs). As for who among the Larnach kids she came from, I’m not entirely sure. Unfortunately, there weren’t any inscriptions and/or signs featuring this information.
Larnach Castle isn’t just about sightseeing. On the first floor, you’ll find a shop where you can purchase souvenirs to remember this trip by or to send to your loved ones back home. The kinds of souvenirs you can buy here range from shawls, hats, toiletries, gloves, soap, and many more.
As for pricing, expect these to be a little costly as from what I understand, these are all locally sourced. That said, the quality of these seem to be generally good from what I’ve seen. Of course, I didn’t end up getting one because I was really having a hard time picking.
Looking back, I probably would’ve gotten any of the socks and or beanies here. The fabric on these were actually quite soft and I also found the designs to be rather cute. Moreover, you really can’t go wrong with these especially during the winter when the weather gets a little cool.
Other souvenirs that I think you won’t go wrong getting are food and drinks. If you want to have a good laugh with the one you’re sending the souvenir to then you ought to get Parrs’ souvenir items such as Kiwi Poo, Magic Bee Poo, and Sheep Droppings. No, these aren’t really excrement from these animals but rather chocolate covered fruit and nut snacks (e.g. peanuts for Sheep Droppings and raisins for Kiwi Poo).
If you want something more memorable then these beautiful and whimsical paperweights might be better to get. I particularly liked the kiwi, sheep, and frog designs shown in this image. Had I actually known beforehand that these would be available here I might have brought a little extra so I could get one or two of them.
Now if you’re really having a hard time choosing a souvenir then just get these mugs. They’re a dime a dozen but they’re also very functional and they at least have cool designs. Additionally they come in a variety of sizes so if the ones in front are too big for your bag then get the little ones behind them.
And with this, my visit to Larnach Castle in Dunedin comes to an end. I would say that overall, the time I spent here was definitely worth the price of admission. The gardens were absolutely amazing with their views and the diversity of plants/flowers you can find in them. As for the castle, it’s still a work in progress but a lot of the rooms and exhibits are pretty complete as well as replete with NZ history and culture. If you’re in Dunedin then I’d highly recommend spending some time here at Larnach Castle.
Ever been to Larnach Castle in Dunedin? If yes then we’d like to hear about your experiences and thoughts about the place down in our comments section!
