Dunedin's Only Castle: VIP Skip-the-Line Larnach Experience
Price From $24.58 per person
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Visit New Zealand’s only Castle, situated on the dramatic Otago Peninsula and only a 20 minute drive from Dunedin. Learn about the colonial history and stories of William Larnach - entrepreneur and politician, plus ongoing restoration by the Barker family. Experience the finest Victorian craftsmanship, the excellent collection of New Zealand antiques and unparalleled views of the Otago Peninsula. Walk in the gardens rated a garden of International significance by NZGT. Take refreshment in the historic Ballroom café serving the best local food and drink. This is for ticket admission only. Transportation, food, drinks, and other accommodations are not included.
Reviews
Reviews and Rating (Tripadvisor)
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Reviews by Tripadvisor travelers
Angela_B, 10/18/2025 11:16:41 PM
I had to get an Uber from the city which was very expensive as there is no public transport. The castle was a little bit underwhelming but the views and gardens were gorgeous.
TaniaMaree_B, 10/18/2025 5:45:06 AM
Larnach castle was amazing absolutely beautiful grounds. The ballroom cafe was very nice the food and coffee were very nice. The castle was lovely we had the best morning there. We had a mix up with our tickets we booked for the wrong day and were non refundable so emailed the castle and asked if they could help us out and they did. They let the gate know to expect us a few days later than our tickets said we were very grateful. Absolutely awesome experience and the staff were all very welcoming and friendly.
Colleen_R, 10/9/2025 8:51:52 PM
We were amazed at the castle and the grounds. The restoration has been done to a very high standard and the attention to detail was very good to see.
Karen_S, 10/8/2025 2:26:17 PM
Larnach Castle is definitely worth the visit. Restoration that has taken over the past 50 years is amazing and accurate. Each finished room is displayed beautifully. The gardens are well kept and the variety of plants and flowers is absolutely stunning.
rosetQ7304YY, 10/4/2025 8:06:01 PM
Interesting on so many levels. Highly recommend . Beautiful castle lovingly restored and idyllic gardens. Staff were friendly and helpful.
Melissa M, 9/30/2025 3:37:39 AM
This is the most beautiful place to visit. The care and detail place on this castle is mind-blowing. Filled with beauty and history you will not be disappointed. Stop in at the cafe and try the Devonshire Tea while your at it.
364yiz, 9/28/2025 8:08:46 PM
It's fun and interactive with multiple fun and interesting activities, also the design was beutiful and creative with a big garden, definitely recommended.
Elisabeth S, 9/23/2025 9:29:37 PM
It was a lovely drive out to the castle, and everyone was very welcoming and friendly. We enjoyed the beautiful renovation that has been done and is still ongoing, as a labour of love. The cafe had a great selection of food. Thank you for sharing this treasure with the public.
kem16, 9/12/2025 4:28:07 PM
I was pleasantly surprised how great the castle tour was. Highly recommend if you enjoy visiting historical buildings. This was beautifully restored and really easy to see and take in at your own pace. The gardens were lovely - although i still had the end of winter gardens so I can only imagine how much more impressive they be once the flowers start to bloom.
stephp585, 9/4/2025 11:19:58 PM
Great experience to see. Beautiful location, rich in history. There was a lot of refurbs going on but when you read about why, it all made sense. Amazing scones at the Ballroom cafe. Great day out for two Aussie tourists.
- Travelers should have at least a moderate level of physical fitness
- Wheelchair accessible - if assistance is required, passenger must provide their own caregiver. However, due to uneven surfaces, this tour is not recommended for those with walking disabilities or using a wheelchair
No departure point available
Redemption
Accessibility at the Castle is limited – due to the historic nature of the Castle, only the ground floor has level access (includes history and video rooms, Gift Shop and Ballroom Cafe, historic Stables and outbuildings); the rest of the Castle is accessed by stairs only. The gardens and grounds have variable accessibility – the driveway area has fine gravel, there are areas of uneven ground, cobblestones, garden paths, lawn and steps.Less than hours before travel date - 0% refund