Combining its mixture of stunning setting, craftsmanship, idyllic location - and the fact that it's NZ's only true castle - makes Larnach Castle a must-visit from Dunedin. For those who have visited Europe, the term “castle” may be a little misleading – Larnach is much more of an elaborately-crafted manor house than it is a full-blown castle – however the work and dedication that has gone into restoring the building to its former glory is remarkable, and the architectural style with its tower and turret are an obvious tip of the cap to traditional castle-style design.
The insides have remained very true to the castle's era, with Victorian furniture and carvings a prominent feature, while the main ballroom features a cafe where visitors can enjoy lunch and a coffee. If you're feeling particularly royal, there's even the opportunity to either dine in the castle or stay overnight in the grounds. While the building itself is impressive in its quality carvings, materials and general ostentatiousness, it's the gardens that surround the castle that make a trip here truly complete. The gardens are incredibly well maintained and have an intriguing framework of hedges, trees and colourful flowers which have been maintained for over 45 years.