Honestly, Dunedin was one of my least favorite cities in New Zealand. But if you happen to pop over there for whatever reason, the one place you should really consider going is Larnach Castle. It is one of the only two castles in New Zealand.
For our package, it came with the high-tea. Though it not very cheap, it was definitely enjoyable acting wealthy. Haha. The sandwiches and pastries were yummy and it came with a pot of tea each. I can totally understand why the royalties love their tea time...relaxing and tranquil.
The refurbishment of Larnach Castle is a private project and I was really impressed with the dedication and effort put in by the Barker family. From a worn-down place, the family have re-built the gardens and restored the house to its former glory. Please do save some time to explore the house and gardens because it is really different from other castles we have seen elsewhere.
And that's because...the castle is rather spooky. The previous owners of the house met lots of unfortunate event, suicides, murders, backstabs...You are basically allowed to enter every room, and every cranky, so it feels real and not curated. So real, you never feel truly alone. Gulp.
Also, the current owners have made tremendous effort to bring back the items used by their previous owner. Rusty tubs, old baby cots....all these brings chills down my spine. If I were to come at night, this place might scare the shit out of me. But if you manage to survive all the way to the top, you will be rewarded with a beautiful sight.
It is quite a beautiful place. If you have the opportunity, you should also book a night to stay in its refurbished stable. Give the high tea a miss if need be, but don't skip the gardens and the castle!
