Southern Destinations: November 07, 2019

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southern holiday destinations spring-summer 2020 20 DuNEDIN dUnedin’S CHineSe garden Located in the heart of Dunedin is the only traditional Chinese Scholar’s Garden in the southern hemisphere. The garden takes visitors on a journey through the city’s cultural history, heritage and tradition – giving recognition to the Chinese people who first came to Otago during the 1860s gold rush and stayed to establish a new life. As a NZ Gardens Trust 5 star rated garden, it has a distinct character being designed and built using authentic Chinese materials and crafted by a team of artisans from Dunedin’s sister city of Shanghai. The Garden features hand-made wooden buildings, tiles, bricks, lattice-work and hand-finished granite paving stones. Plants, trees, and rocks are carefully composed into small perfect landscapes mimicking a traditional Chinese landscape painting. It is a great place to bring children for activities including garden hunts, costumes and arts and crafts. Parents can take some time out in the Tea House and enjoy traditional Chinese tea and treats. Explore Dunedin’s stories at one of New Zealand’s most innovative museums toitU otago SettLerS mUSeUm Visit and explore the only authentic scholar’s garden in the Southern hemisphere. • Learn about the Dunedin Chinese Settlers in our alleyway exhibition. • Savour traditional tea and dumplings in the enchanting teahouse. • Create memories and dress up in traditional Chinese costume. The gallery spaces at Toitū showcase dozens of display cases filled with intriguing objects which provide the opportunity to interact and explore specific time periods. Try on a turn of the century dress or climb on the Roslyn tram or Tiger Tea bus. Play the classic 1980s Atari game Laser Hawk or chill out and listen to some music. The interactive displays also include soundscapes and digital media that will engage curious minds. The beautiful Art Deco bus station area has a children’s area with craft materials and dress ups – as well Encounters exhibition. as comfortable seats for the adults’ tired legs. The archives and research centre has a wealth of information for budding genealogists or historians and friendly staff who can help them get started. The Museum has a café offering a variety of snacks and drinks as well as a shop displaying toys, games, novelties and designed jewellery, china and gifts. Toitū Otago Settlers Museum is a fun place to spend an hour or a day with something new always waiting to be discovered. OPEN DAILY 10am – 5pm ADMISSION Adult $9.50 Under 13 FREE ANNUAL PASS $21 Cnr Cumberland and Rattray Streets (beside Toitū Otago Settlers Museum) www.dunedinchinesegarden.com 03 477 3248 OPEN 7 DAYS | FREE ENTRY | FREE WIFI 10am – 5pm 31 Queens Gardens, Dunedin P (03) 477 5052 www.toituosm.com
southern holiday destinations spring-summer 2020 DuNEDIN 21 WorLd CLaSS StateLy Home 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 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 go WiLd in tHe natUre CaPitaL oF neW ZeaLand! 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 midafternoon, 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 Email: info@larnachcastle.co.nz www.larnachcastle.co.nz
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Southern Destinations: November 07, 2019

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