New Zealand · LARNACH CASTLE TOURS

The 15 Best Larnach Castle Tours in Dunedin

30 tours  ·  from $28 a head

New Zealand’s only castle sits on the Otago Peninsula with its gardens intact. These 15 cover admission, the guided runs and the peninsula combinations, priced, with the wildlife add-ons separated out.

TranzAlpine Train, Arthur's Pass and Castle Hill Day Trip - Arthur’s Pass and the Otira Viaduct lookout
1-Day Tours, Larnach Castle Tours, Tour Reviews, Tours in Christchurch, Train Experiences

TranzAlpine Train, Arthur’s Pass and Castle Hill Day Trip

1.TranzAlpine Train, Arthur’s Pass and Castle Hill Day Trip

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 426 reviews · from $254Our pick

Travel from Christchurch to Arthur’s Pass on the TranzAlpine, then return by minibus through alpine scenery, with stops at Otira Viaduct, Devils Punchbowl, Lake Pearson, and Kura Tawhiti. Guides such as AJ and Anuj provide commentary, snacks, water, umbrellas, and help with walk options. Expect about 10 hours and a small group of up to 21.

“Great experience, the train ride was fun. Exploring Arthur's Pass and Devils Punchbowl walk was very interesting, but we really like walking around the Castle Hill. Anuj was a wonderful guide and took very good care of everybody and providing a lot I f interesting information. We definitely recommend this tour!”

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Larnach Castle and Gardens Admission Ticket - Arriving at the Gatehouse and getting your bearings
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Larnach Castle and Gardens Admission Ticket

2.Larnach Castle and Gardens Admission Ticket

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 279 reviews · from $29

Visit Larnach Castle on the Otago Peninsula at your own pace with a mobile ticket, written guides, a native plant trail, restored rooms, gardens, and sweeping coastal views. Allow two to four hours, and plan transport carefully since this ticket does not include hotel pickup or travel to the castle.

“The gardens are some of the best anywhere and I loved the history of how the family has been restoring the castle for years. It’s well done and a wonderful time. Enjoy!”

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Arthur's Pass: TranzAlpine Train and Castle Hill Day Tour - Arthur’s Pass National Park and the Devil’s Punch Bowl walk
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Arthur’s Pass: TranzAlpine Train and Castle Hill Day Tour

3.Arthur’s Pass: TranzAlpine Train and Castle Hill Day Tour

★★★★★★★★★★4.8 · 270 reviews · 10 hours · from $245

Spend 10 hours crossing New Zealand’s Southern Alps by TranzAlpine train, then explore Arthur’s Pass with a small group and an English-speaking guide. Expect waterfall walks, kea at Otira, Lake Pearson photo stops, and Castle Hill limestone. Guides such as Anuj and Anush are known for clear commentary, thoughtful help, and well-timed stops.

“Good excursion. I had the same guide as a previous excursion 2 days before, he was very nice and accommodating. The view from the train was great, then we had a small one hour hike to a waterfall view point, lunch and another easier 40 minutes hike in Castle Hill.”

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Arthur’s Pass Day Tour From Christchurch via Castle Hill - From Christchurch to the Waimakariri Gorge
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Arthur’s Pass Day Tour From Christchurch via Castle Hill

4.Arthur’s Pass Day Tour From Christchurch via Castle Hill

★★★★★★★★★★4.8 · 203 reviews · 10 hours · from $118

Travel from Christchurch through the Canterbury plains and Southern Alps in a small Mercedes Sprinter. You’ll stop at Lake Lyndon, Castle Hill, Otira Viaduct, Arthur’s Pass, Cave Stream, and Porters Pass, with lunch, snacks, commentary, and a chance to see kea. Guides such as Clive, Joseph, Paul, and Hana are known for friendly, useful local insight.

“Loved Devils Punchbowl, even with the 388 steps, was worth it. Saw lots of Kea, Enjoyed the day, I didn’t do the train back but it didn’t detract from the trip. Lunch was good. I would say that none of our group wanted boat trip from the first stop, so it was far too long at this stop.”

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Cruise Dunedin City and Castle Tour - The Octagon puts Dunedin in context
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Cruise Dunedin City and Castle Tour

5.Cruise Dunedin City and Castle Tour

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 142 reviews · from $121

This 6.5-hour Dunedin shore excursion uses a small air-conditioned vehicle to connect Port Chalmers with Baldwin Street, the Octagon, Dunedin Railway Station, the Otago Peninsula, and Larnach Castle. Guides including James, Oli, and Kylie add local stories and Maori cultural context, while the flexible pacing leaves time for photos, gardens, lunch, and independent exploring.

“James, our guide, gave us a great day in Dunedin. We hit every spot on the itinerary. Highlights were climbing the steepest street in the world and exploring Larnach Castle and the grounds. James even made sure we had a table in the busy castle cafe. A terrific excursion with no worries that we wouldn’t make it back to the ship on time.”

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Castle, Coast & City Tour - 8 pax max - Castle Entrance Included - Baldwin Street: a quick test of your legs
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Castle, Coast & City Tour – 8 pax max – Castle Entrance Included

6.Castle, Coast & City Tour – 8 pax max – Castle Entrance Included

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 102 reviews · from $148

Join guide Chris for a five-hour minibus tour from Port Chalmers through Dunedin and the Otago Peninsula. Visit Baldwin Street, Dunedin Railway Station, Larnach Castle and Gardens, Smaills Beach, and Highcliff Road. Castle admission is included, pickup is offered, and the group is limited to eight people.

“Our tour guide, Chris, was excellent and very informative. He took us to the rail station for a nice visit of that beautiful location, then to the castle. He gave us a personal tour and explained each room and much of the backstory and history of the castle. Our group was smaller than most groups at the castle, and Chris knew how to make sure we had each room to ourselves for the appropriate amount of time, even though the castle was very busy. If we had been on our own, we would have missed so much or been crowded out. He also gave us time to walk the grounds…”

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Water Taxi and Shuttle to Larnach Castle - Picking the right departure time
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Water Taxi and Shuttle to Larnach Castle

7.Water Taxi and Shuttle to Larnach Castle

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 100 reviews · from $102

Rob and Holly operate a small-group connection from Port Chalmers or Dunedin to Larnach Castle. You cross Otago Harbour by water taxi, ride a short shuttle to the castle, explore independently for 1.5 to 2 hours, then continue to Dunedin. Entry is included, but the castle visit is self-guided.

“Water taxi and minibus ran exactly to time in both directions. Husband and wife team were pleasant and efficient…all you might hope for, but rarely find!”

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Dunedin City, Wildlife and Larnach Castle - Dunedin Railway Station, the city’s grandest photo stop
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Dunedin City, Wildlife and Larnach Castle

8.Dunedin City, Wildlife and Larnach Castle

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 96 reviews · from $161

Spend six to seven hours with a small group of up to six, touring Dunedin and the Otago Peninsula with guide Lucy or a Chinese-speaking guide. See Baldwin Street, the Railway Station, Larnach Castle, Sandfly Bay, Hoopers Inlet and Allans Beach. Port and central-city pickup are included, but lunch and paid wildlife-center visits are not.

“We were taken to great lookout and walkabout places. Perfect timing and excellent driver and guide Lucy.”

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Iconic Shore Excursion: Iconic Larnach Castle Tour - Starting in Dunedin at the Railway Station
Larnach Castle Tours, Shore Excursions, Shore Excursions in Dunedin, Tour Reviews, Tours, Tours in Dunedin

Iconic Shore Excursion: Iconic Larnach Castle Tour

9.Iconic Shore Excursion: Iconic Larnach Castle Tour

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 93 reviews · from $98

Spend about six hours touring Dunedin and the Otago Peninsula with a local guide such as Ann, Kim, or Ken. Visit the Railway Station, Baldwin Street, University of Otago, Northern Cemetery, and Larnach Castle. A guided castle visit, return port transfers, and a reserved lunch table are included, but lunch costs extra.

“Anne was very knowledgeable and friendly. We learned a lot about Dunedin and especially the Castle. The hours flew by very quickly. It was worthwhile to do this tour.”

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Shore Excursion: Dunedin City, Otago Peninsula, Castle Gardens & Olveston Tour - Baldwin Street and Signal Hill give you your bearings
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Shore Excursion: Dunedin City, Otago Peninsula, Castle Gardens & Olveston Tour

10.Shore Excursion: Dunedin City, Otago Peninsula, Castle Gardens & Olveston Tour

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 81 reviews · from $179

Spend six hours with a driver-guide exploring Dunedin’s viewpoints, Botanic Garden, Baldwin Street, railway station, First Church, Larnach Castle Gardens, and Olveston House. Guides such as Asta, Teresa, Ross, and Warren are known for lively local commentary. The tour takes up to 18 people, with port pickup and drop-off included.

“Teresa was great… Very knowledgeable and entertaining. Great day off the cruise ship. We felt we got a good view of Dunedin’s best sights.”

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City Highlights, Larnach Castle & Peninsula Views - Signal Hill gives you Dunedin’s best photo stop
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City Highlights, Larnach Castle & Peninsula Views

11.City Highlights, Larnach Castle & Peninsula Views

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 77 reviews · from $152

Travel from Port Chalmers or your Dunedin hotel in a small air-conditioned minivan with local guides such as Russ or Malcolm. You’ll see Baldwin Street, Signal Hill, Otago University, and Dunedin Railway Station, then visit Larnach Castle gardens and the Otago Peninsula. Garden admission is included, while the optional castle interior tour costs $23.

“The tour was enjoyable, interesting and Russ the tour guide was so informative. We visited many sites in Dunedin and had a great time.”

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Larnach Castle & Otago Wildlife Cruise from Dunedin - Entering Larnach Castle and its troubled family story
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Larnach Castle & Otago Wildlife Cruise from Dunedin

12.Larnach Castle & Otago Wildlife Cruise from Dunedin

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 66 reviews · from $108

Spend about five hours exploring the Otago Peninsula, touring Larnach Castle and cruising toward Taiaroa Head for albatross, seals, dolphins, and possible penguins. Local guides such as Ross, David, John, Rob, Chris, and Toss are praised for strong storytelling. Hotel pickup, jackets, binoculars, Wi-Fi, and small-group transport are included.

“Castle tour was very enjoyable and the guide’s knowledge of the family and its history was very informative. Cancellation of cruise resulted in long delays while waiting for other guests to complete alternate tour option.”

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Dunedin Shore Excursion City Sightseeing & Tour of Larnach Castle - Downtown Dunedin offers freedom, but not much structure
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Dunedin Shore Excursion City Sightseeing & Tour of Larnach Castle

13.Dunedin Shore Excursion City Sightseeing & Tour of Larnach Castle

★★★★★★★★★★4.0 · 66 reviews · from $108

Spend about seven hours touring Dunedin from Port Chalmers, with included entry and a guided visit at Larnach Castle, free time downtown, and a city highlights drive covering the Botanic Gardens, Otago University, Baldwin Street, historic buildings, and harbour views. Groups are limited to 30.

“Olveston house is definitely one to see on your visit here it is totally in tack and the tour really interesting. It was good to have some time in town before the highlight tour a great tour..”

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Heritage City and Larnach Castle Van tour with Historian Guide - Northern Cemetery and the Larnach family connection
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Heritage City and Larnach Castle Van tour with Historian Guide

14.Heritage City and Larnach Castle Van tour with Historian Guide

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 65 reviews · from $139

Join historian guide Gregor for a 5 to 6-hour small-group tour through Dunedin and the Otago Peninsula. Visit the Northern Cemetery, Baldwin Street, Dunedin Railway Station, Queens Garden, High Street, and Larnach Castle. Lunch at Luna Bar and Restaurant is extra, and pickup from hotels or the cruise port is included.

“Start to finish the best tour ever! Gregor was so accommodating, kind, and knowledgeable. He offered to take us wherever we wanted to go, not knowing we're to go we asked him to lead us on our journey of discovery and he did. A nRead more”

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Larnach Castle & Dunedin City Highlights Tour (Shore Excursion) - Dunedin Railway Station: a quick start with strong photo value
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Larnach Castle & Dunedin City Highlights Tour (Shore Excursion)

15.Larnach Castle & Dunedin City Highlights Tour (Shore Excursion)

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 56 reviews

Start at Port Chalmers and tour Dunedin in a small, air-conditioned vehicle with local guide Tim, or Tim and driver Joe. Stop at the railway station, University of Otago, Signal Hill, and Baldwin Street, then enjoy free time in The Octagon before a guided visit to Larnach Castle and its gardens.

“Tour guide was a very friendly & knowledgeable local. We saw lots of the sights but the tour didn’t seem rushed. Highly recommend”

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New in Larnach Castle Tours

★ 4.0Otago Peninsula Tour and Larnach Castle City Sights (min 4 )From $1795 reviews
★ 3.5Dunedin Shore Excursion – Sightseeing, Larnach Castle, Chinese Garden & MuseumFrom $12413 reviews
★ 5.0Inland Canterbury & Castle Hill Tour (Lyttelton Shore Excursion)From $3095 reviews
★ 5.0Arthur’s Pass and Castle hills Private Day Trip From ChristchurchFrom $1864 reviews
★ 5.0Castle Hill & Arthur Pass Day Trip From ChristchurchFrom $1867 reviews
★ 5.0Cave Stream Caving Adventure with Optional Castle Hill TourFrom $1857 reviews
★ 5.0Peninsula with Lanarch Castle gardens & OlvestonFrom $1738 reviews
★ 5.0Caving & Optional Castle Hill TourFrom $1783 reviews
★ 5.0Arthur’s Pass & Castle Hill Scenic Day TourFrom $32810 reviews

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