Larnach Castle Tours and Activities

Visit New Zealand’s only castle with admission to Larnach Castle & Gardens, where you’ll find beautiful antiques, manicured gardens, and gorgeous views across the Otago Peninsula. Learn the story of the castle’s founding family through recorded commentary on a personal headset, and pause to explore a collection of New Zealand native plants before entering the castle. Pre-booking your tickets to Larnach Castle & Gardens ensures a smooth visit, with the flexibility to see the castle and grounds at your own pace.

Larnach Castle is New Zealand's only castle! Top attraction Situated on the picturesque Otago Peninsula The Castle's Garden has received numerous national Awards Lovingly restored by the Barker Family, Have a look around the lovingly restored Larnach Castle that dates back to 1871,

Peer at rare yellow-eyed penguins and visit nesting grounds of the northern royal albatross during a full-day tour of the Otago Peninsula and Dunedin. Spend your morning sightseeing in Dunedin’s city center, including highlights of the Octagon, followed by a visit to the gardens of Larnach Castle, with the option to go inside and buy lunch. In the afternoon, immerse in the natural beauty of the Otago Peninsula and the scenic coast along Taiaroa Head. Numbers are limited to 19 people to allow for personalized attention from your informative guide.

Combine top Dunedin experiences into a single day of sightseeing on a Port Chalmers shore excursion that includes a city tour, Larnach Castle Garden, and a 90-minute ride on a coastal train through the scenic Otago Peninsula. A flexible mix of guided and independent activities gives you the best of both worlds: you’ll get a fascinating, guided introduction to Dunedin highlights, but enjoy the freedom to explore on your own.

Discover New Zealand’s only castle with an excursion from Dunedin to Larnach Castle & Gardens. You’ll join a guided tour to learn the fascinating history of the castle and of William Larnach, who built the castle in 1871 for his beloved wife, then enjoy some time to explore on your own, strolling the sumptuous gardens or taking high tea in the castle’s ballroom. The basic tour includes entrance fees and round-trip transport from a central location in Dunedin, with multiple departure times available, or opt to upgrade with some exciting extras.

Join a small group for a full-day tour of Dunedin and the Otago Peninsula. During the city tour, see landmarks such as the University of Otago, Baldwin Street, and Scottish heritage sites. Next explore the Otago Peninsula, including Otago Harbour, Sandfly Bay, Tunnel Beach, and historic Larnach Castle. Your tour includes pickup and drop-off in central Dunedin or the port.

Explore Dunedin and the Otago Peninsula on a full-day shore excursion that includes Larnach Castle & Gardens and Speight’s Brewery, two of the region’s top destinations. With an experienced guide to lead the way, you’ll discover the fascinating city of Dunedin, step back in time at New Zealand’s only castle, then visit a historic working brewery with deep southern roots. This 6.5-hour tour includes all entrance fees and guided tours, as well as pickup and drop-off at Port Chalmers.

Dunedin is a city full of culture and history and also conveniently close to wildlife reserves and unspoilt nature. See both sides of the city in one day on this small-group tour. Take in the central sights, such as the Railway Station and the steepest street in the world, Baldwin Street. Stroll through the manicured gardens of Larnach Castle on the way to the Otago Peninsula, home to albatross, seals, penguins, and sea lions.

Be surprised by the rugged natural landscape that’s part of the Dunedin city boundaries on this tour of the Otago Peninsula. Start with a guided tour of New Zealand’s only castle, Larnach Castle, and learn all about Dunedin’s early settler history from your guide. Continue further along the peninsula, hopping aboard a wildlife cruise of the Otago Harbour. Spot fur seals, albatross, and maybe even dolphins and penguins while admiring the views.

Enjoy a fully guided tour of Larnach Castle during a day of sightseeing in Dunedin with a small group. See key landmarks such as the Larnach family tomb in Dunedin's old Northern Cemetery. Visit the University of Otago, Dunedin Botanic Garden, Baldwin Street and the Dunedin Railway Station. Then head to the hills of the Otago Peninsula to explore the famous century-old castle. Pickup and drop-off is available from hotels or the cruise port.

A unique opportunity to experience the very best Dunedin and the Otago Peninsula has to offer. This shore excursion combines sightseeing of Dunedin City and the Otago Peninsula with a guided tour of the stunning Larnach Castle and its grounds. Also included is Dunedin’s Chinese Gardens: an authentic Chinese Garden crafted by a team of artisans and craftsman from Dunedin’s sister city of Shanghai. Adjacent to the gardens, explore the Otago Early Settlers Museum with emphasis on the early settlement of Otago.

Enjoy your own personalized private tour of Larnach Castle and Dunedin City with us. This is a 6 hour fully guided tour that lets you explore Dunedin and Larnach Castle at a leisurely pace. Included is a guided tour of Larnach Castle's unique interior and gardens. Light refreshments and chilled water are included. The tour takes in many interesting buildings and landmarks in Dunedin city such as the Larnach family tomb, the old University and all the main city attractions. The drive to Larnach Castle offers spectacular views from the Otago Peninsula with a lookout stop along the way. Upon arrival at Larnach Castle, your table will be reserved for lunch at the Ballroom cafe (lunch is own cost). After lunch you will embark on a fully guided tour inside the Castle. Then your guide will also take you through the award winning gardens offering fantastic views over the Otago Harbour. Instead take a garden guide map and explore the gardens on your own during some free time before we depart.

Make the most of your time at port in Dunedin with one of these customizable Dunedin shore excursions. Get your bearings at your own pace on a hop-on hop-off bus tour, or choose between outings to Larnach Castle and Gardens and the magnificent Taieri Gorge Railway. If desired, the shore excursions can be combined with some of Dunedin’s top sites, including Speight’s Brewery or the Olveston Historic Home. All shore excursions include pickup and drop-off at Port Chalmers.

Maximise your time in port in Dunedin with this shore excursion and take in the highlights of the Otago Peninsula. See city sights including The Octagon, Dunedin Harbor, Baldwin Street, and Larnach Castle (which for an added fee, you may enter the castle and learn the interesting history of this stately home). Port pickup and drop-off included.

Sightsee around Dunedin on a privately tailored tour that gives you the flexibility to choose your stops and duration. You’ll travel with ease aboard a Mercedes minivan during a scenic drive through the countryside. Check out the sights of Dunedin with specialized commentary and don’t miss a trip to the Otago Peninsula.

Travel from Port Chalmers or Dunedin on a privately guided tour that introduces you to city attractions as well as points of interest on the Otago Peninsula. With a flexible itinerary you can spend as much time as you like at each site, including a stop at the Royal Albatross Centre. Drive past Baldwin Street, Signal Hill, Otago University, Dunedin Railway Station, and more.

When your cruise ship docks in Dunedin, explore the cultural and natural landmarks of the city and Otago Peninsula on a small-group shore excursion. Customize your itinerary with popular options like Baldwin Street, St. Paul's Cathedral, Olveston House, Larnach Castle, and Koekohe Beach. Your guide can tailor the tour to suit your group’s interests, whether you want to spend more time in the countryside or city.

A SPECIAL SHOWCASE OF DUNEDIN HIGHLIGHTS IS CREATED FOR YOUR TIME ONSHORE Dunedin is famous for New Zealand’s finest heritage and cultural icons, spectacular breath-taking ocean and mountain views, beautiful gardens and city cafes. New Zealand’s amazing hot spots in Dunedin and surrounds provides you with a variety of options that can be made to a custom style day of memories. The itinerary for you is designed with plenty of allowance for your ship's arrival and departure times.  A comfortable vehicle is provided for up to eleven people. 

This is self-guided GPS audio tour of the inner route of the Otago Peninsula. Pass through the small communities of Macandrew Bay, Pukehiki and Waverley. Visit Sandfly Bay and view some of the Peninsula's Wildlife. Wind your way along this craggy and beautiful coast. Along the way, you'll take in old castles, isolated and windswept beaches, breathtaking views, and sleepy seaside towns. You might even cross paths with a penguin. The Otago peninsula is singular in its evocation of the raw beauty of nature. Come along and see for yourself. Places to stop along the way include the Glenfalloch Gardens, Macandrew Bay, Larnach Castle, Sandfly Bay, Highcliff Road Viewing Point, Rotary Park and Waverley. Keep in mind, there is an entrance fee to Larnach Castle. The tour is ready whenever you are and the audio plays automatically at exactly the right time and place using your smartphone's GPS and the VoiceMap mobile app, which also works offline.

Whether you’ve just arrived on your cruise ship or you’re staying in Dunedin for a while, this customizable day tour can make sure you get to the places you’re most eager to see. Ditch the tight deadlines and shopping stops of a typical tour. Instead, choose from locations like Lanarch Castle, the Moeraki Boulders, Speights Ale House and the Otago Peninsula – the latter of which is home to a remarkable albatross colony.

Experience a 6-day semi-independent tour by coach and train around the scenic South Island, traveling round-trip from Christchurch. Stop at Mount Cook, take a Milford Sound cruise and spend a free day in Queenstown, then journey to Pukerangi and cross into Dunedin aboard the Taieri Gorge Railway. Enjoy a guided tour of the Otago Peninsula and royal albatross colony before returning to Christchurch. Transportation, sightseeing tours and hotel accommodation are all included.

Larnach castle and the gardens that surround are the most popular attraction for cruise ship passengers in Dunedin. So is the albatross and the other rare and unique wildlife. See the best of Dunedin and spend your time wisely. This is the only tour in Dunedin that does not double back, to travel the same route on its return. You will travel by road one way and by ferry the other.