Larnach Castle

Larnach Castle is a Garden of International Significance, NZ Gardens Trust. See gardens.org.nz

Description: Larnach Castle Garden has been a labour of love for Margaret Barker, who with her late husband purchased the neglected castle and 14 hectare property in 1967.  Visitors can enjoy both a trip back in history, a ramble through a beautifully developed garden topped by an indulgent moment in the café.

Over a century old, this large garden surrounding historic Larnach Castle on the Otago peninsula is at an altitude of 300 metres.  The scenery is spectacular and though the garden is subjected to wind and low rainfall it contains a unique collection of plants seldom seen elsewhere.  Some remnants from the original plantings 120 years ago, Cupressus macrocarpa, planted extensively for shelter and Cedars and a Northern Rata to one side of the castle, give an air of maturity.  The plantings reflect the owner’s interest in New Zealand plants and in their southern hemisphere relations.

Behind the ballroom there are temperate rain forest plants with an avenue of mountain cabbage trees (Cordyline indivisa).  A rock garden features many rare and difficult New Zealand alpines as well as the Chatham Island olearias, both colour forms of Myosotidium hortensia,  grass trees (Dracophyllum) and other genera not usually encountered in cultivation.  A recent development has been a South Seas garden where relations of the pohutakawa (Metrosideros) diverse palms from the South Pacific and other distinctive flora are established.  Elsewhere there is a small arboretum featuring southern beech, a formal garden and herbaceous borders and a laburnum tunnel with a stunning view south. Rhododendrons display in spring.

Having grown up reading the stories of Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland the garden presents characters and features of the book throughout the garden adding a new dimension to the garden experience.

Larnach Castle garden has a special historic ambience.  It is beautifully landscaped with a disciplined eye reflecting appropriately its association with the castle and is to be enjoyed by the casual visitor and plants person alike.  The café is licensed.  Visitors can also enjoy viewing the castle and extend their stay booking accommodation at the Lodge in the Castle Garden or luxurious ‘Camp Estate’.

Larnach Castle is open 9am daily, last admission 7pm (Oct – March) and 5pm (April – September).

Access: Parking is available for all vehicles on site.

Admission: Larnach Castle is open 9am daily, last admission 7pm (Oct – March) and 5pm (April – September) and admission fees are: