The Sculptureum - A unique sculpture garden and art gallery, Auckland, New Zealand

If you are looking for a perfect day trip from Auckland you shouldn't go past The Sculptureum at Matakana, around an hour's drive north of the city. If you follow this blog you will know that I love sculpture gardens and sculpture trails because they combine two of my favourite activities - walking and enjoying art.  At The Sculptureum I was in heaven, this is the best combination of both I have ever seen. Ever since the Sculptureum opened early in  2017 I had been itching to visit and having family visiting from the UK recently gave me the perfect opportunity.  What a unique and wonderful place it is.




Successful lawyer and keen art lover, Anthony Grant,  had spent many years collecting art to the point where he had so much he had to store it in warehouses.  Eventually he felt it was time to share his collection with the public so he and his wife, Sandra, spent around 10 years developing these beautiful and unique gardens and galleries. They chose the name Sculptureum, a combination of sculpture and museum, to reflect the idea that his gardens are a repository for museum quality sculpture and art. They intended it to be colourful, whimsical, fun and enriching. It is all of these things.




The three immaculately groomed gardens are diverse and broken  into themes including the classical
garden, a philosophical garden, a whimsical garden, a palm garden and the famous pink snail garden. There are live birds in aviaries, turtles in eye level tanks and rabbits which are housed in a cleverly designed, escape proof run called Rabbiton. The six galleries display glass art, abstract art, and art made from recycled materials. Thrillingly there are pieces by Picasso, Cezanne and Rodin along side inexpensive but quirky works included just for fun. The centrepiece of one gallery is the astonishingly beautiful large glass chandelier by artist Dale Chihuly

And here I am just hanging out with Mark Twain


Left: Some quotes in the philosophical garden

The snail garden is very popular with visitors.  Note the meerkats up a tree in the background and the bright red pig to the side.  There is something to see everywhere you look.

Dale Chihuly's chandelier

Wind tree from recycled material

This goat is made from hundreds of forks

  Since we had a four year old in tow we intended to spend only a couple of hours at The Sculptureum but ended up spending around three and a half.  The four year old loved it.  There were plenty of magical, whimsical pieces to keep her happy and, of course the rabbits. 

There is also an excellent quality restaurant on site called Rothko where you can have meals or simply light refreshments.  

My photos really don't do these gardens and galleries justice. I was so busy and happy looking I forgot to take photos.  

The Sculptureum is a world class attraction and an absolute must if you are visiting Auckland for a few days.  I can't wait to go back and now have it firmly on my list of things to do with overseas visitors.

The Sculptureum is at 40 Omaha Flats Rd, Matakana, North of Auckland
Open: Monday, Thursday, Friday, Saturday and Sunday
Closed: Tuesday and Wednesday 
Buy tickets on line @ www.sculptureum.co.nz

Byodo-In Temple, Oahu, Hawaii

Nestled at the foot of the magnificent, soaring mountain range of Ko'olau, near Kane'ohe Bay, lies the Valley of the Temples Memorial Park. Within the park is the tranquil and beautiful Byodo-In Temple.   It is one of my favourite places in Hawaii.

The magnificent Byodo-In Temple under the misty mountains of  Ko'olau

The temple is a half size replica of the original, World Heritage listed, 900 year old Byodo-In temple in Kyoto, Japan and is a fine  example of the symmetry of Heian architecture. It was built and dedicated in 1968 to celebrate the centenary of the arrival of the Japanese in Hawaii. The Japanese originally arrived  to work the sugar cane and pineapple plantations and their early years were difficult, marred by poverty, hardship, and prejudice. The temple is an acknowledgement of those early days, of their hard work and of the gifts they brought to the culture of Hawaii.

The temple is a non-denominational Buddhist temple, it does not have  a community of monks or a local congregation, and is open to everyone of all faiths from all over the world for prayer and meditation. Thousands of people visit it every year.

My Grandson ringing the peace bell. I hope he has the peace and good fortune promised

Built from concrete the 11,000sq ft (1000 sq metre) temple houses an 18 toot tall  (5.5metres) statue of Buddha covered in gold and lacquer while the lush, serene gardens surrounding the temple contain large koi ponds, a three ton peace bell and a small meditation pagoda.

I highly recommend a visit to Byodo-In to enjoy its peace and tranquility, to take a step back from the fast pace of life, to listen to the bird song and the gently flowing stream, to admire the carp and to mediate for a while. It is also said that ringing the huge bell will bring you peace and good fortune, now that has to be worth a visit, doesn't it?

Above: carp ponds      Right: the meditation pagoda

Byodo-In 47-200 Kahekii Highway, Kane'ohe
Open daily 9am to 5pm                                     
 Admission : $3 per adult $1 per child                  

Waikiki - Should you return to a place that holds magical memories?

Thirty years ago my husband and I took our sons to Hawaii for two weeks. We rented an apartment in Waikiki and, much to the boys, (all the boys!), delight, hired a bright red Mustang convertible.  We did all the sights; Pearl Harbour, Sea Life Park,  a walking tour of Chinatown, downtown Honolulu, the Bishop Museum. We snorkeled at Haunama Bay and drove right around the island of Oahu with the hood down, the boys squashed in the back and all of us singing at the top of our lungs. We visited Sunset Beach and the Banzai Pipeline, where we ate the famous snow cones with sweet beans at the bottom and stopped at a quiet local beach where we ate coconuts fresh from the tree.  We were enchanted by the Byodo-In temple, had lunch at The Willows restaurant and were privileged to see the famous musician Irmgard Farden Aluli perform there. The boys reveled in Perry's Smorgy's 'all you can eat' buffet and were thrilled to buy a 6 pack of coke for a dollar (even then that was an amazing bargain). Every afternoon, around 4pm, when the day was a bit cooler, we went to the beach and swam or sat on the sand outside the Royal Hawaiian watching people waltz and foxtrot at the tea dances held in the hotel ballroom. We loved people-watching on the beach, there seemed to be a constant stream of fascinating characters passing by.  On our way home we picked and poked in the small shops and stalls at the International Marketplace.  It was a marvelous, magical family holiday and despite the fact that the whole family is now much traveled this is the holiday we often talk about.

    Above: 30 years ago, me and my boys at 444 Nahua, our apartment.

Right: 2018 my sons were keen to revisit 444 Nahua to remember good times  

Left: 30 years ago, my husband and son at Byodo-In temple

Right: 2018 my son and grandson in the same spot










So, should we return? Would things have changed so much our memories would be ruined? My late husband refused to return for that reason.  He cherished the memories and wanted it to stay that way. However, recently I had a special birthday and wanted to have the whole family together.  Since one son and his family live in England and myself and a son and his family live in New Zealand I was searching for a family friendly place, sort of central, where we could all meet and Hawaii seemed to be the obvious destination.

There are nine in our family, four children and five adults, so we booked two apartments at The Embassy Suites, Waikiki, one road back from the beach. Embassy Suites is family friendly with a generous breakfast included in the price and the best happy hour I have ever come across - drinks are free for two hours every evening! Our days were happily busy, plenty of time for the children to swim in the pool and time for sightseeing as well.  Some of the family went to Pearl Harbour and we all took an excellent round island tour one day. We watched the Hilton Village's fireworks from the beach one night and during the day walked along the beach watching the multitude of surfers riding the waves. We had cocktails at the Royal Hawaian and at The House Without a Key and drank cool juices and beer at Maui Brewing and The Yard Bar. We had professional photos taken at the beautiful Kahala Resort and drove there in a stretch limousine, since the hotel told us it would cost the same as two taxis!  That was fun and a novel experience for the children. We rode the Waikiki Trolley and shopped at the vast Ala Moana Mall and the Waikele Outlets. We enjoyed the band playing by the pool each evening and took full advantage of Happy Hour while the children swam or ran races or danced to the music.

Palm trees, golden sand, balmy temperatures, trade breezes....what's not to love?

My birthday was very special and everything I could possibly wish for especially having my family together. I woke to find the lounge full of pink balloons and a cake with, I forget how many candles on it 😉. The children were fizzing with excitement.  I love how children enjoy birthdays regardless of whose it is. That evening my family took me to a luau at the Hilton Hotel.  It was an absolutely wonderful evening with great food, music, hula dancing and entertainment all under a stunning sunset and then a clear, bright starry sky. Walking back to our hotel that evening I felt incredibly blessed to have such a lovely family and such a perfect birthday. It was romantic walking along the beach under the stars with waves gently shhhhing on the shore and the faint sounds of Hawaiian music floating across the water from the hotels.

Happy Birthday, Grandma!

So, back to my question: "Should you return to a place that holds magical memories?" 

Waikiki has changed substantially from the Waikiki of 30 years ago.  It is busier, there are more people and more traffic but it still manages to retain a laid back charm somehow. There is a happy vibe about the place.  Perry's Smorgy has gone, although judging by the queues outside Eggs and Things that must be the new 'popular'.   There are many, many places to eat, you are spoilt for choice. Unfortunately the  International Market Place has been demolished and replaced by a large modern mall which is just a replica of the many other malls around Waikiki.  I had read differing reports about The Willows restaurant which had been fantastic 30 years ago so rather than destroy that memory we decided not to return there. It may still be good, I don't know.

My husband and sons at The Willows August 1988

Much of the beach along Waikiki is sadly diminished after several big storms and general erosion over the years.  On our first trip it was wide and safe with a gentle slope off into the sea, now it is narrow and has a very steep drop off in places, too dangerous for our young children to swim in, but there are plenty of spots they can.  The tea dances at the Royal Hawaiian are now a thing of the past too. Our accommodation was superb and the free fireworks on the beach were fun. We were there for just one week and had two very young children in tow so had less time and flexibility to do all the things we had done 30 years ago. Nevertheless it was a fantastic family holiday and we were glad we had returned enjoying it just as much as the first time but differently. My well traveled eldest grandchild summed it up " That is the best holiday I have ever had!" So, we made new memories which in no way alter our original ones and they are memories our whole family can share. I have to admit I felt deeply nostalgic at times, though, thinking of the times spent there with my husband and youngest son, both, sadly, no longer with us.

Preserve those memories

I think the key to enjoying a return visit to a place of magical memories is not to expect it to be the same and not to try to replicate your first holiday there.  We did things differently but enjoyed some of the places and memories from the past. It was the perfect way to celebrate my birthday.

At my birthday luau, Waikiki Hilton

A Foodie Weekend in Hawkes Bay, New Zealand

Recently I went to visit my cousin, John and his wife, Jan, in their new home in Napier. They had relocated from Auckland about a year ago so I was looking forward to seeing them and learning about their new life in  Hawkes Bay.  As it turned out my short visit evolved into a fantastic foodie weekend.  It hadn't really been planned that way but like all the best getaways, one good thing led to another.

Stunning views of the central North Island mountains from my flight to Hawkes Bay

A glorious sunny winter's day was a perfect start to the weekend as we headed out to the small seaside settlement of Clifton to get a view of the large gannet colony of Cape Kidnappers. 

The gannet colony of Cape Kidnappers on the Hawkes Bay coast

 Keen for a coffee, after a stroll along the shore, we spotted a cafe in a converted house set back across a field.  How fortuitous! Hygge at Clifton Bay was a delightful find.  Open for only three weeks the cafe is a new venture for former orchardist, Kerry and his school teacher wife, Robyn Brannigan. The whole aim of their cafe is to create a cosy, welcoming place of comfort, peace and enjoyment following the Danish principles of Hygge.  They have managed to achieve this and then some. With its wide views out to sea, comfortable settees, roaring log fires and scrumptious food - you must try the fig and date scones! - I could have happily spent an afternoon there. It was new to John and Jan too and they said that from now on it will be high on their list of places to take visitors.

A cosy corner of Hygge at Clifton Bay

But we had more foodie experiences to come so after a visit to the delightful and quirky potter, Maggie Taylor at MT Pots at Te Awanga, we headed to the nearby Clearview Estate Winery for lunch. I really enjoy winery lunch platters.  I think they are the perfect lunch and Clearview produces a particularly good one.  Here it is:

Hohepa feta and peperonata salad

Chicken liver pate

Barrel smoked marinated mushrooms

Chilli garlic fried prawns and chorizo

Prosciutto

Spice roasted olives and whole almonds

Sundried tomatoes

White bean dip

Cumin crackers and fresh baked bread

We washed it all down with their delicious Black Reef Blush Rose 2017

Yours truly with my cousin and his wife at Clearview Estate

Feeling well satisfied with our foodie morning we returned home for an
afternoon of rest and relaxation.

The next morning we set out for the Hawkes Bay Farmers Market.  I'm a great fan of farmers' markets and I think the Hawkes Bay Market has to be one of the best in New Zealand.  In summer the stalls are set up outside under large shady trees but this is winter so it was held inside in spacious pavilions. It is always a pleasure to wander around a market, meet with the producers of a diverse range of fruit, vegetables, meats and artisan products, have the odd tasting and listen to music in a relaxed atmosphere. 

Sauces, jams, mustards, pickles, at Hawkes Bay Farmers Market

It was also a pleasure to meet Jan's brother, stall holder, Clyde Potter, owner and director of The Chef's Garden @Epicurean and to view his lush, fresh, organic vegetables and selection of heritage seeds. Once laden with goodies we headed home to offload them before going out to lunch.

A selection of Clyde Potter's organic vegetables

Then we were off to the Philippine Restaurant, PAK, at West Shore, Napier, to attend a FAWC, ( Food and Wine Classic) event. This festival offers restaurants the opportunity to showcase their cuisine.  The atmosphere at PAK was convivial with diners seated together at long tables. The restaurateur started proceedings with a short talk on the Philippine style of cooking, the ingredients used and the philosophy behind it. As the meal progressed she  introduced each course with a description and short explanation. There were six courses in all:

Lumpiang Sariwa - Fresh vegetable spring rolls with sweet garlic sauce and peanuts

Patotin - Sous vide duck with asuete paste, cane vinegar and vegetables

Pochero - Beef bone broth with bone marrow

Fish - Gurnard with eskabeche sauce and vegetables

Lechon Baboy - Slow roasted suckling pig with vegetables and condiments

Biko - Sticky rice cake with coconut cream, and anise 

Gurnard with Eskabeche sauce

It was a pleasant surprise since I had never eaten Philippine cuisine before. The main features of Philippine food are the three flavours of sweet, sour and salty and a generous use of vinegar.  Dipping sauces are typical and something sweet is often paired with something salty so it is not unusual to be served mangoes dipped in salt. The result is unusual but very, very tasty. I will certainly eat Philippine food again whenever I can so I guess you can say the FAWC festival was great advertising for PAK restaurant and their particular style of cuisine. It was a perfect way to spend a Sunday afternoon - great food, excellent company and a convivial atmosphere. Amazingly it turned out that one of the friendly, chatty people sitting next to us was a relative, by marriage, of my late husband. 

Lechon Baboy - slow roasted suckling pig at PAK

To round off a great weekend we went for a couple of walks - well we needed to after that eat fest! - and spent time chatting, relaxing and catching up on news.  All in all a thoroughly enjoyable weekend. It was so good to spend time with relatives, who are also good friends, and to revisit part of the country I am very fond of. The fact that we got to enjoy some outstanding food was a major bonus.

Hawkes Bay Farmers Market is open on Sundays from 8.30 to 12.30

Those Pesky Single Supplements And How To Avoid Them

It is enough to strike terror into the heart of any solo traveller, that asterisk below a great travel deal that sends you to the small print below which tells you "Single Supplement applies".  Your delight soon turns to disappointment when you realise that that great travel deal isn't so great anymore.

Most tours and hotels cater for couples and their pricing is worked out on a double occupancy room rate, same price whether one or two people use it.  This is completely understandable since the room needs the same amount of cleaning and the bed linen the same amount of laundering for single or double occupancy.  Unfortunately those hotels that do offer single or studio rooms generally have them tucked away in the least attractive, often dark, part of the hotel making solo travellers feel pretty second rate. These rooms are usually more than half the price of a double anyway. A couple of years ago I took the spectacular Australian Ghan Train journey.  I loved every minute of it but it cost me a fortune because I had to pay almost double for single occupancy of a double room.  The Ghan does offer extremely compact single cabins with no single supplement but whereas double cabins have their own bathroom facilities, for single cabins bathrooms are shared and along the corridor. Call me fussy but, no thank you. 

Very comfortable single bed on
The Ghan

While young, solo, back packers are happy to stay in hostels and dorms,  older solo travellers, in the main, prefer the luxury and comfort available to couples, and why shouldn't they?, but not at close to double the cost.  Hotels and tours are missing a trick here.  The solo travel market is steadily growing and I believe that hotels with attractive single, cheaper, rooms would find a ready customer base.

I have done a lot of travelling in the ten years since my husband died and I hate to think what I have spent paying single supplements. Now I look for deals and try to avoid the dreaded SS if I can.

Book a hotel which includes breakfast and make it one of  your two main meals for the day, after all the hotel has priced breakfast for two people in your tariff.

Here are some hints for avoiding, or at least reducing the pain of the single supplement:

1. Book directly with a hotel, even couples will usually get the best price that way, and negotiate a deal or request a waiver - you have nothing to loose and just might be lucky
2. Travel off season.  Often tour companies are quieter then and may prefer at least one more traveller, at a single price, to fill their spaces.
3. Google "single holiday specialists" and see what's on offer.
4. Share with a friend.  I have done this several times and it has been fun but I take most trips alone and I don't want to share with strangers.
5. A few travel companies will pair you with a room mate if you are happy to share.  Intrepid Travel is a good company for this.
6. If you are fit and adventurous go on adventure holidays.  Accommodation is likely to be hostels or dormitories and you will pay for a single only.
7. Take a repositioning cruise on a cruise ship.  These are great value as the ship is simply returning to a starting point and it makes sense to fill the cabins on the way there.  The cruise will still be as good as any other cruise.
8. Cruise ship companies are now realising that the solo travel market is growing and are increasing their numbers of single cabins. Norwegian Cruiseline offers 128 studio cabins, P and O  has 18 on The Azzura and will have 27 on The Britannia, even Cunard offers 9 on the Queen Elizabeth 2.  Do a Google search for cruise ships with single cabins. Many European river cruises waive the single supplement too.
9. Set up a Google Alert with a message like "Single Supplement
   waived".  This way deals will come direct to you.
10. And last, but not least, my favourite tip.  Be a truly independent traveller, it is what I do most of the time. Book your airfare to a destination yourself (look for a good deal), also book the hotel directly asking if they have a "special" or a deal. Make sure you get a hotel which includes breakfast in the room tariff.  At your destination book a single ticket on day trips.  I travelled to many places in both Portugal and the Czech Republic on day trips, I got to see a lot of both countries but also had the freedom to be spontaneous. This way you avoid any single supplement apart from double occupancy of your hotel room. 

On  my self booked trip to bath.  I negotiated a great deal by booking direct with the hotel

I know the disappointment and frustration of having to pay a single supplement.  It is bad enough not having the pleasure of travelling with your loved one without having to pay a premium for it.  I hope you find these hints helpful and that maybe, if enough people start making noises, more travel companies will get the message and start catering more fairly to the solo market.

  Happy solo travels!!

Ika Bowl , Auckland - Nutritious, delicious, Polynesian food

Art by Askew One

The first thing you notice when you walk into Ika Bowl is the stunning wall art by artist, Askew One, next, your eyes are  drawn to the wide array of delicious fresh food laid out in bowls ready to be made into poke.  Poke, or raw fish salad, has its origins in Hawaii where fishermen used the raw off cuts of fish to make a quick meal. It is a portable and healthy alternative to filled rolls and sandwiches and is a rapidly growing food trend, proving to be hugely popular with city workers.

Ika Bowl is the brain child of three charming, personable  friends, Ra, Hutu and Navi, all of Pacifica heritage, who had a dream of bringing delicious, nutritious, raw and real food, with a South Pacific, Polynesian twist, to Auckland.  Since Auckland is the largest Polynesian city in the world nothing could be more apt.

Service with a smile from Hutu

The three young men first formed their friendship as students at Alfriston College in South Auckland.  Having all studied Business Management at University the next logical step was to go into business together and put their knowledge into action. They are equal partners in the business each taking on different management roles - food/shop management, finance/business and advertising/marketing.

The selection at Ika Bowl is wide and you can either select individual ingredients to make a bowl of your choice or choose one of the six different bowls on the menu.  Bowls come in two different sizes, small ($10.90 to $12.90) or large ($12.90 to $15.90).  I find the small bowl is more than adequate for me and am sure those with a healthy appetite would be well satisfied with the large.

As an example the most popular dish, Moana, consists of a base of brown or white rice, chunks of raw king salmon, shallots, sweet red onion, carrots, seaweed salad, roasted sesame sauce, topped with toene (egg) and wasabi peas.  I particularly like the Koko Loko dish which includes raw tuna, golden chunks of mango and toasted coconut flakes.  There are also hot and spicy choices, a poached chicken dish, for those who prefer it, and a tofu dish for vegetarians.

Koko Loko bowl with chunks of raw tuna, mango and toasted coconut flakes - delicious!

 Ika Bowl has a superb location in Fort Lane on the corner of Snickel Lane and right opposite the chic, New York cool, Imperial Cafe. Customers can eat at tables in the covered Snickel Lane if they wish. Ra said that they chose the location because they could be assured of good foot traffic and this is proving to be the case.

Lunch time queue at Ika Bowl

I have bought lunch at Ika Bowl several times so here is a handy hint...get there before mid day or after 1.30pm, if you can, otherwise be prepared to queue, it is very popular. However don't worry if there is a queue, it moves fast, service is slick and efficient.

Ra, Hutu and Navi all told me they are loving running the business. They are enjoying putting their business knowledge into action and get their reward from the happiness and smiles of their customers. 

If you are in Auckland I suggest you get along to Ika Bowl for an authentic and healthy Polynesian food experience.

Address:  Corner of Fort Lane and Snickel Lane, downtown Auckland
Hours:     11am to 5.30pm Monday to Saturday
Website:  www.ikabowl.co.nz   

#polynesianfood  #pokebowlauckland  #aucklandcityeats #ikabowlauckland

Larnach's Castle, Dunedin, New Zealand

High on the hills of the Otago Peninsula is New Zealand's one and only castle, although its not really a castle. The former stately home of William Larnach (1833-1898)  gained the 'castle' nick name from its Gothic Revival design. He called it The Camp, which may have been an in joke and a hark back to the days when his banking office on the Australian goldfields was simply a tent in a camp on the other hand perhaps he was being ironic.

Tiled entry  to Larnach's Castle - The Camp 

Larnach had made his money as a successful banker during both the Australian and New Zealand gold rushes.  He developed a business empire which included banking, shipping, farming, land holding and speculation.  He was also a politician in the New Zealand parliament for more than 25 years.  On a day trip out on the Otago Peninsula he spotted a piece of land with panoramic views of the city and harbour - he had found the perfect spot to build his dream home.  As a man of means he was able to indulge his desire for something very grand.  It took 200 men three years to build the exterior shell and then another 12 years to decorate the interior, employing European craftsmen for the work. Only the finest of materials were used, among them native New Zealand timbers but also imported marble, glass and slate.  The castle had 43 rooms and 46 staff and was set on 35 acres with an adjoining farm of 300 acres. It was one of the grandest, if not the grandest house, in New Zealand.

Larnach's Castle - the ballroom is a separate building to the right

At the time of his tragic death Larnach was in financial difficulty, many of his business ventures had failed and he had personal family problems to deal with. His family found it hard to sell The Castle, partly because its location 15 kilometres from the city wasn't practical and also because maintenance costs would be prohibitive. In the end  it was sold cheaply, changing hands several times, and being used for many different purposes over the years including as an asylum for the mentally ill, a nun's retreat, and a hostel for American soldiers during WWII. By the time the Barker family purchased it in 1967 little maintenance had been  done, and most of the original furnishings  removed, leaving it in a sad state of disrepair. And that's how it was when I visited around 40 years ago.

The grand stairway winds through the middle of the house, note the fine tiles on the floors

My recent visit to Dunedin was an opportunity to visit again. I had heard good things about its restoration and wasn't disappointed-what a difference!  The Barker family have worked hard to bring the castle back to its former glory, and it shows.  Built over four levels, around a grand sweeping staircase, every room has been restored and refurnished. Much of the furniture, which the Barker family have painstakingly tracked down and either purchased or borrowed, is original to the house.  There are Venetian glass windows, elaborately carved English oak ceilings and Italian marble fire places gracing many rooms. There are mosaic tiles from Belgium and ceramic floor tiles from Stoke-on-Trent, England, and the bathroom has a one ton marble bath, a copy of one found in the ruins of Herculaneum. The house is lavish and extravagant and it is true to say that thanks to the Barker family the castle is, once again, a grand house in all its glory.

The grand, baronial interior. The tartan carpet is a nod to Larnach's Scottish heritage (photo: Larnach's Castle web page)

At the very top of the castle is a turret, reached by a narrow spiral staircase and worth climbing for the spectacular views over the harbour and Dunedin. After touring the house you can stop for refreshments in the Ballroom Cafe built by Larnach especially for his daughter, Kate's, 21st birthday. High tea is served there at 3pm daily.  It is now hard to believe that during the years of the castle's decline the ballroom had been used as a sheep barn.

There are magnificent views over the harbour, both from the castle and the gardens

Don't visit the castle without a wander around the gardens.  The 7 acres of manicured gardens have been a labour of love for Margaret Barker and have attained the coveted status of A Garden of International Significance. They are beautiful and in this quiet rural location, serene.  The Barker family also offer accommodation nearby and the castle is in high demand as a wedding and conference venue.

The heather bed makes quite a show

Larnach's Castle is really the story of two families with vision.  Firstly Larnach who built it for his beloved first wife, Constance, and had visions of grandeur and the Barker family who had the vision to take on a decaying ruin and turn it into not only one of Dunedin's foremost tourist attractions but also to preserve a rare and beautiful piece of New Zealand history.

I'm so pleased I paid a return visit, it is really satisfying to see the work of dedicated people come to fruition and anyone who works at preserving history is a hero in my opinion.

The Castle is open daily from 9am to 5pm.  
Adults $31 Children aged 5 to 14 $15.50 Under 5 Free
www.larnachscastle.co.nz

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