Larnach Castle
Quick Facts
- Location
- New Zealand, Dunedin
- Category
- Castle & Fortress
- Duration
- 1.5-2 hours
- Opening Hours
- Daily Castle 8:30-17:00 last entry; Cafe 9:30-16:30 · The opening times page splits the year into summer 8:30am to 5pm, last entry 5pm, and winter 9am to 4pm, last entry 4pm, with summer 26/27 running 28 September 2026 to 4 April 2027 and winter 2027 from 5 April to 26 September 2027, after winter 2026 covered 6 April to 27 September. The Ballroom Cafe works 9:30am to 4:30pm daily apart from Christmas Day, and the gift shop, which also takes accommodation check-outs, runs 8am to 5pm in summer and 8:30am to 5pm in winter. The daily values here follow the summer band in force now.
- Ticket Price
- Adult: Castle and gardens self-guided ticket, 50.00 NZD for ages 15 and over · Child: Ages 5 to 14 pay 17.00 NZD and 0 to 4 years are free · Gardens and grounds only runs 25.00 NZD for ages 15 and over, 10.00 for ages 5 to 14, free to 4, and a family pass at 60.00. The castle ticket covers the tower, ballroom cafe, gift shop, gardens, grounds, historic stables and outbuildings with a brochure for a self-guided tour in several languages. Every ticket goes toward restoring the castle, and dogs on a leash may use the grounds and gardens but not the castle, the accommodation or the outbuildings.
- Address
- Larnach Castle, Castlewood Road, Dunedin
- Coordinates
- -45.8610, 170.6280
Introduction
Larnach Castle is New Zealand's only castle. Built 1871 on the Otago Peninsula, Scottish Baronial — grand interiors, splendid gardens and the dramatic Larnach family saga — Dunedin's most charming historic building. Built 1871; NZ's only castle. On Otago Peninsula hill — harbour views. Scottish Baronial; lavish interiors. Splendid gardens. Dramatic Larnach family history.
✨ Highlights
🛈 Practical Info
Opening Hours
| Monday | Castle 8:30-17:00 last entry; Cafe 9:30-16:30 |
|---|---|
| Tuesday | Castle 8:30-17:00 last entry; Cafe 9:30-16:30 |
| Wednesday | Castle 8:30-17:00 last entry; Cafe 9:30-16:30 |
| Thursday | Castle 8:30-17:00 last entry; Cafe 9:30-16:30 |
| Friday | Castle 8:30-17:00 last entry; Cafe 9:30-16:30 |
| Saturday | Castle 8:30-17:00 last entry; Cafe 9:30-16:30 |
| Sunday | Castle 8:30-17:00 last entry; Cafe 9:30-16:30 |
The opening times page splits the year into summer 8:30am to 5pm, last entry 5pm, and winter 9am to 4pm, last entry 4pm, with summer 26/27 running 28 September 2026 to 4 April 2027 and winter 2027 from 5 April to 26 September 2027, after winter 2026 covered 6 April to 27 September. The Ballroom Cafe works 9:30am to 4:30pm daily apart from Christmas Day, and the gift shop, which also takes accommodation check-outs, runs 8am to 5pm in summer and 8:30am to 5pm in winter. The daily values here follow the summer band in force now.
Ticket Information
| Adult | Castle and gardens self-guided ticket, 50.00 NZD for ages 15 and over |
|---|---|
| Child | Ages 5 to 14 pay 17.00 NZD and 0 to 4 years are free |
| Free Admission | A family pass for up to two adults and four children costs 117.00 NZD, and the site also runs an annual Larnach Castle pass for local residents |
Gardens and grounds only runs 25.00 NZD for ages 15 and over, 10.00 for ages 5 to 14, free to 4, and a family pass at 60.00. The castle ticket covers the tower, ballroom cafe, gift shop, gardens, grounds, historic stables and outbuildings with a brochure for a self-guided tour in several languages. Every ticket goes toward restoring the castle, and dogs on a leash may use the grounds and gardens but not the castle, the accommodation or the outbuildings.
💡 Tips
FAQ
What are the opening hours of Larnach Castle?
Monday: Castle 8:30-17:00 last entry; Cafe 9:30-16:30; Tuesday: Castle 8:30-17:00 last entry; Cafe 9:30-16:30; Wednesday: Castle 8:30-17:00 last entry; Cafe 9:30-16:30; Thursday: Castle 8:30-17:00 last entry; Cafe 9:30-16:30; Friday: Castle 8:30-17:00 last entry; Cafe 9:30-16:30; Saturday: Castle 8:30-17:00 last entry; Cafe 9:30-16:30; Sunday: Castle 8:30-17:00 last entry; Cafe 9:30-16:30; The opening times page splits the year into summer 8:30am to 5pm, last entry 5pm, and winter 9am to 4pm, last entry 4pm, with summer 26/27 running 28 September 2026 to 4 April 2027 and winter 2027 from 5 April to 26 September 2027, after winter 2026 covered 6 April to 27 September. The Ballroom Cafe works 9:30am to 4:30pm daily apart from Christmas Day, and the gift shop, which also takes accommodation check-outs, runs 8am to 5pm in summer and 8:30am to 5pm in winter. The daily values here follow the summer band in force now.
How much is the admission for Larnach Castle?
Adult: Castle and gardens self-guided ticket, 50.00 NZD for ages 15 and over; Child: Ages 5 to 14 pay 17.00 NZD and 0 to 4 years are free; Free Admission: A family pass for up to two adults and four children costs 117.00 NZD, and the site also runs an annual Larnach Castle pass for local residents; Gardens and grounds only runs 25.00 NZD for ages 15 and over, 10.00 for ages 5 to 14, free to 4, and a family pass at 60.00. The castle ticket covers the tower, ballroom cafe, gift shop, gardens, grounds, historic stables and outbuildings with a brochure for a self-guided tour in several languages. Every ticket goes toward restoring the castle, and dogs on a leash may use the grounds and gardens but not the castle, the accommodation or the outbuildings.
Any practical tips for visiting Larnach Castle?
Buy tickets; gardens are among NZ's finest. With Dunedin Railway and University of Otago.
How long should I spend at Larnach Castle?
A typical visit takes 1.5-2 hours.
