Larnach Castle

50km from Dunedin, on the Otago Peninsula, is Larnach Castle, also known as the Camp, which was built for a wealthy banker named William Larnach between 1871 and 1887. This extraordinary building is said to have been modeled on a Scottish castle; its construction was supervised by the well-known architect RA Lawson. The house, which has a ballroom, cost its owner a fortune.

William Larnach (1833-98) came to Dunedin in 1867 as manager of the Bank of Otago and had a successful career as a politician. After a series of misfortunes, both financial and personal, he shot himself in the Parliament Building in Wellington. After his death the house suffered many vicissitudes. The surrounding land was broken up into small lots and sold, and the house was bought by the government, with 14ha of land, and converted into a psychiatric clinic. Later it became a hotel and nightclub. Then in 1940, badly run down, it was sold for a pittance. Only in recent years has its value as a relic of Dunedin's early days been recognized. It has been restored at great expense. From the tower there are fine views.