Great Houses of Dunedin
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Port
Port Chalmers (Dunedin), New Zealand
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Activity Level
Moderate
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Excursion Type
All
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Wheelchair Accessible
No
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Starting At
$149.95
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Minimum Age
Information Not Currently Available
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Duration
Approximately 5 Hours
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Meals Included
Meals included
This tour explores two of Dunedin's great historical houses, one of which is New Zealand's only castle.
Your first stop is at Olveston House -- a 35-room Edwardian mansion built by a prominent Dunedin businessman between 1904 and 1906. The home is resplendent with massive fireplaces, colorful stained-glass windows and an impressive art collection. Its original owners were passionate patrons of the Arts and, during their extensive travels, they collected 240 paintings as well as numerous artifacts from China and Japan. These still grace the 21 rooms that your guide will highlight during your comprehensive tour.
Outside, discover the acre of manicured gardens -- truly not to be missed.
Next visit Larnach Castle on the crown of a wooded hillside overlooking Otago Harbour. Designed in Scotland, the neo-Gothic castle took three years to build and another twelve to complete. The castle boasts English tile work, Italian marble, Venetian glass, and exotic hardwoods from around the world.
Notes:
There is no elevator access to Olveston House's upper stories. Guests using a wheelchair have the option to view a DVD tour of those floors. Photography is not allowed inside Olveston House. Flash photography is not allowed inside Larnach Castle. Larnach Castle is not wheelchair accessible except for the gardens and the first floor (ground level).