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Olveston House & Larnach Castle
Moderate Activity
Includes snack
Be sure to read the Special Notes further down this page for important requirements and restriction.
WHAT YOU VISIT
Larnach Castle
Set above the highest point on the beautiful Otago Peninsula, this Victorian masterpiece is New Zealand's only castle. Complete with battlements and ballroom, and 14 hectares (35 acres) of gardens and grounds, this stunning 3,716-square-meter (40,000-square-foot) showpiece evokes the elegant lifestyle of Dunedin's elite. And the interior is just as dramatic and breathtaking. Built between 1873 and 1877 for William and Eliza Larnach and their six children, approximately 200 men spent three years building the exterior and a team of European craftsmen stepped in to finish the interior, including a 278-square-meter (3,000-square-foot) ballroom added for the 21st birthday of Larnach's favorite daughter, with a lavish array of masterful embellishments. Enjoy morning or afternoon tea or coffee served with scones and shortbread in the castle's ballroom. (Note: no interior photography permitted.)
Olveston House
A 35-room Jacobean mansion built by David Theomin in 1906, Olveston House is filled with treasures collected on Theomin's world travels. It is a stunning example of the stately architecture created for the privileged families of Dunedin's high society. This historic home became a museum in 1967. Walk through its lavish rooms and step back in time, as little has changed since it was occupied as the family home. Admire modern touches incorporated into its design such as an elevator and an electric generator as well as ornate furnishings, antiques and artwork from around the globe. (Note: no interior photography permitted.)
PHOTO OPPORTUNITIES
Photo ops abound during this half-day tour. While visiting Olveston House, be sure to take a moment to capture the beauty of the home set amidst manicured gardens and the lush parkland, or "Town Belt," that surrounds the center of Dunedin.
SNACK
Partake in a delicious morning or afternoon tea, featuring a delicate blend, plus coffee, scones, and shortbread in the castle's ballroom.
WHAT YOU SEE ALONG THE WAY
Passing through the city, watch for town highlights before returning to Port Chalmers.
Points of interest
Dunedin Train Station
Larnach Castle
Olveston House
Schedule
Special Notes
Guests must be able to climb a few steps unassisted to board the transportation. Photography is not permitted inside Olveston House or Larnach Castle. Tour order may vary. There is no elevator access to Olveston House's upper stories. Guests in wheelchairs or with limited mobility may view a tablet presentation of those floors. Larnach Castle is not wheelchair accessible - guests in wheelchairs are restricted to visiting the gardens and the ground floor.
Exceptional Value
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Moderate Activity
Includes snack
Be sure to read the Special Notes further down this page for important requirements and restriction.
WHAT YOU VISIT
Larnach Castle
Set above the highest point on the beautiful Otago Peninsula, this Victorian masterpiece is New Zealand's only castle. Complete with battlements and ballroom, and 14 hectares (35 acres) of gardens and grounds, this stunning 3,716-square-meter (40,000-square-foot) showpiece evokes the elegant lifestyle of Dunedin's elite. And the interior is just as dramatic and breathtaking. Built between 1873 and 1877 for William and Eliza Larnach and their six children, approximately 200 men spent three years building the exterior and a team of European craftsmen stepped in to finish the interior, including a 278-square-meter (3,000-square-foot) ballroom added for the 21st birthday of Larnach's favorite daughter, with a lavish array of masterful embellishments. Enjoy morning or afternoon tea or coffee served with scones and shortbread in the castle's ballroom. (Note: no interior photography permitted.)
Olveston House
A 35-room Jacobean mansion built by David Theomin in 1906, Olveston House is filled with treasures collected on Theomin's world travels. It is a stunning example of the stately architecture created for the privileged families of Dunedin's high society. This historic home became a museum in 1967. Walk through its lavish rooms and step back in time, as little has changed since it was occupied as the family home. Admire modern touches incorporated into its design such as an elevator and an electric generator as well as ornate furnishings, antiques and artwork from around the globe. (Note: no interior photography permitted.)
PHOTO OPPORTUNITIES
Photo ops abound during this half-day tour. While visiting Olveston House, be sure to take a moment to capture the beauty of the home set amidst manicured gardens and the lush parkland, or "Town Belt," that surrounds the center of Dunedin.
SNACK
Partake in a delicious morning or afternoon tea, featuring a delicate blend, plus coffee, scones, and shortbread in the castle's ballroom.
WHAT YOU SEE ALONG THE WAY
Passing through the city, watch for town highlights before returning to Port Chalmers.
Points of interest
Dunedin Train Station
Larnach Castle
Olveston House
Schedule
Special Notes
Guests must be able to climb a few steps unassisted to board the transportation. Photography is not permitted inside Olveston House or Larnach Castle. Tour order may vary. There is no elevator access to Olveston House's upper stories. Guests in wheelchairs or with limited mobility may view a tablet presentation of those floors. Larnach Castle is not wheelchair accessible - guests in wheelchairs are restricted to visiting the gardens and the ground floor.