Southern Destinations: October 02, 2016

DUNEDIN/PENINSULA NOVEMBER 2016 23
Larnach Castle is undoubtedly one of
New Zealand’s fi nest historic homes.
Not only is it a testament to the wealth
of its builder, but to the current owners
who have restored and revitalised it
for the benefi t of visitors from all over
the world.
William Larnach was a merchant,
Baron and politician when he built
the castle in 1871 for his wife Eliza. The
fi nest materials were imported to befi t
the opulent grandeur he envisaged;
Italian marble, Venetian glass and tiles
from England. The 3000 square foot
ballroom is still used for weddings and
balls and the castle boasts the only
Georgian hanging staircase in the
Southern Hemisphere.
Part of the romance and intrigue of
the castle today is the tragic history of
its owner. Larnach shot himself after
a scandal involving his wife and the
building was subsequently used as
a mental hospital and later to billet
troops.
Years of neglect fi nally came
to an end when the Barker family
purchased it in 1967 and painstakingly
restored and developed it to its
present condition. As well as its
magnifi cent Victorian interior,
resplendent with architectural
details, elaborate fi ttings and antique
furniture, 35 acres of garden
have been re-developed
by Margaret Barker
into “Garden of
International
Signifi cance”
status.
The native
plant trail is
a beautifully
illustrated
walk through
the castle
grounds among
rare and iconic
native plants in
rock gardens, a south
seas garden and a rain
forest. Children also enjoy
a special guide to Larnach Castle.
The illustrated brochure contains
interesting facts about castles,
Victorian times, the family’s history
and a children’s tour of the grounds.
Larnach Castle offers guests three
different styles of accommodation;
Camp Estate - country house
accommodation positioned 500
metres from the front gate of the
Castle, offering luxurious decor
and total privacy; Larnach Lodge,
features colonial style in the grounds
of the castle and has 12 bedrooms
with private facilities for guests; while
Castle Stable Stay is the perfect
choice for budget conscience
travellers.
All house guests may dine in the
elegantly restored castle dining room
and enjoy the unparalled atmosphere
of New Zealand’s only genuine castle.
Superbly located on the Otago
Peninsula, Larnach Castle
captures the romance
and history of the past.
Also on the property
is a café, petanque
pit and a gift shop
for castle themed
mementoes to
take home.
2017 is a year
of celebration.
On 3rd March
2017, Larnach
Castle will
celebrate 50
years of ownership
by the Barker family
with a range of events
during the year to highlight
the 50th anniversary. Opening on
3rd March, the main event is a yearlong
exhibition of the last 50 years of
photographs and videos recording
the “highs and lows” and the many
achievements of this time.
Other events include a staff reunion
to be held in September 2017. “We
will be looking for stories and photos
from ex staff and (guests) to put on
our web site. We will also be hosting
a Garden Debate in October 2017
chaired by Tony Murrell - details to
be confi rmed” says Deborah Prive,
Marketing and PR Manager of
Larnach Castle.
EXPERT LOCAL KNOWLEDGE
and bookings throughout New Zealand
NEW ZEALAND’S OFFICIAL VISITOR INFORMATION NETWORK
i-SITE Visitor Centre
50 The Octagon
PHONE 03 474 3300
EMAIL visitor.centre@dcc.govt.nz
WEBSITE www.isitedunedin.co.nz
Email: info@larnachcastle.co.nz
www.larnachcastle.co.nz