Southern Destinations: April 04, 2019

southern holiday destinations
DuNEDIN
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go Wild in dUnedin
Join one of Monarch’s invigorating
one-hour wildlife cruises or longer
tours exploring the stunning Otago
Harbour and Peninsula. These multi
award winning excursions will get you
closer to rare Southern Ocean wildlife
for great photo opportunities, and
memories that will last a lifetime.
Drive yourself to Wellers Rock
Wharf and hop aboard a Wildlife
Cruise. Watch as huge northern royal
albatross glide past the boat as they
return from the ocean to their nests.
Check-out the NZ furseal rookeries
while your skipper explores the bay
beneath the South Island’s oldest
lighthouse. Out at sea you’ll see a
variety of different albatross and
seabird species. If you’re lucky you
might spot dolphins, blue penguins or
a large NZ Sealion.
Half and fully day tour options are
also available and depart daily from
Dunedin. All tours feature a Wildlife
Cruise. Some options include a visit
to Penguin Place, the Royal Albatross
Centre or Larnach Castle. A few of
these tours also cruise the length of
the Otago Harbour.
Go online and check-out their newest
experience, the Sundowner Package.
Leaving Dunedin mid-afternoon, it
includes a Wildlife Cruise, Albatross
Colony tour, fish & chips dinner & Blue
Penguins. Watch as they return ashore
after dark before being taken back to
the city.
For further information go online at
www.wildlife.co.nz or call (03) 477 4276.
World ClaSS Stately HoMe
royal alBatroSS
Centre
Ever seen a giant albatross sharing
your space? Explored a hidden fort?
Visit Otago Peninsula for your only
chance to see two unique award
winning attractions; the world’s only
mainland albatross breeding colony
and the world’s only fully restored
1886 Armstrong Disappearing Gun.
Both are iconic Dunedin experiences
at Pukekura/Taiaroa Head.
The Royal Albatross with its three
metre wing span is sure to amaze.
Led by knowledgeable guides, a
tour from the Centre is the only
way to get close-up views of these
magnificent birds in their world
famous breeding colony, so make
certain you book ahead.
Pukekura is also home to a wide
range of other bird and marine
life. Albatross, seals, cormorants
and penguins have all colonised
the headland, which boasts a rich
cultural history. The headland has
been a fortified site since the earliest
Maori settlement of the region. On
the Fort Taiaroa tour visitors explore
the historic Victorian Fort and 1886
Armstrong disappearing gun hidden
beneath the albatross colony.
Make time for the superb Café and
Souvenir Shop on-site. This great day
out supports the Otago Peninsula
Trust, a private charitable trust
dedicated to conservation, education
and sustainable tourism. Visit all the
Trust’s attractions including the Royal
Albatross Centre, Fletcher House
and Glenfalloch Woodland Garden
and Restaurant.
For more information visit - www.
albatross.org.nz
Larnach Castle is undoubtedly one
of New Zealand’s finest historic
homes and in 2017 this property was
endorsed by Heritage New Zealand
as a ‘Landmark Property’. Not only is
this title a testament to the wealth of
its builder, but to the current owners
who have restored and revitalised it
for the benefit 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 finest materials were imported
to befit 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 finally came
to an end when the Barker
DON’T
MISS
family purchased it in 1967
and painstakingly restored
and developed it to its present
condition. As well as its magnificent
Victorian interior, resplendent with
architectural details, elaborate
fittings and antique furniture,
35 acres of garden have been
re-developed into “Garden of
International Significance” 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 unparalleled
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, pentaquin pit and a gift shop for
castle themed mementoes to take
home.
Email info@larnachcastle.co.nz
www.larnachcastle.co.nz
Larnach castle
Dunedin NZ
03 478 0499
albatross.org.nz
World’s only mainland
Royal Albatross breeding colony
Kids Go Free!
Valid for New Zealand School Holidays
Children must be accompanied by 1 paying adult
www.larnachcastle.co.nz (03) 476 1616