The timber stair
A fine spiral.
Christoph Strässler — CC BY-SA 2.0 · Pseudopanax at English Wikipedia — Public domain · lumoplank — CC0 · Pseudopanax at English Wikipedia — Public domain · tjabeljan — CC BY 2.0
Larnach Castle is a castle-style mansion on a ridge of the Otago Peninsula, within the city limits of Dunedin. The entrepreneur and politician William Larnach built it, it presents itself as «New Zealand's only castle», and its gardens rank among the most notable in the country. Larnach bought the land in 1870 and chose the architect R.A. Lawson to design the Gothic Revival mansion. Building began in 1871 with about 200 workers, the main structure was finished in 1874, and additions went on until 1887, using materials from around the world. The Barker family has owned it since 1967, and it became a New Zealand Landmark in 2018. From outside you see a stone tower and iron-lace verandahs, with a lawn and round fountain in front. Inside are a fine timber spiral stair, carved ceilings and rooms furnished in period style. The gardens are rated of international significance, with wide views over the peninsula and harbour on clear days. It is 9.3 km in a straight line from Dunedin Railway Station, and the road is narrow and winding near the end, so a car or tour suits it best. A brochure in several languages guides your self-guided visit, so allow two hours. Bring a jacket, as the ridge is windy. Ask about the best time for the gardens, which change greatly with the season.
A fine spiral.
Right before the facade.
Views over the peninsula.
Otago Peninsula, near Pukehiki
It is a 19th-century mansion in castle style, which calls itself the country's only castle.
Yes, there is a cheaper ticket for the gardens and grounds only.