Iconic Shore Excursion: Iconic Larnach Castle Tour
Overview
Available languages
6 hours
Mobile ticket
Enjoy a personalized small group tour of Larnach Castle and Dunedin City. This is a 6 hour fully guided tour that lets you explore Dunedin and Larnach Castle at a leisurely pace. Included is a fully guided tour of Larnach Castle's unique interior. Chilled spring water is provided complimentary to those who bring their own re-useable water bottles.
The tour takes in many interesting buildings and landmarks in Dunedin city such as the Larnach family tomb, the old University and all the main city attractions. The drive to Larnach Castle offers spectacular views from the Otago Peninsula with a lookout stop along the way. On arrival at Larnach Castle, your table will be reserved for lunch at the Ballroom cafe (lunch is own cost). After lunch and the guided tour inside the Castle, your guide will also take you through the award winning gardens offering fantastic views over the Otago Harbour.
Additional Info
Specialized infant seats are available
Not recommended for travelers with spinal injuries
Suitable for all physical fitness levels
Please provide the name of your cruise ship at time of booking
Some steps to negotiate during the tour of Larnach Castle
The Castle interior is not wheelchair accessible, however the Castle Gardens, Gift Shop and Ballroom Cafe are. Please notify us if you intend to bring a fold up wheelchair or walking aid on this tour.
Passengers must be able to get on and off the bus steps unassisted.
Cancellation Policy
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
What To Expect
Dunedin Railways
We stop here at this magnificent old Railway Station to admire the architecture and take photos.
Northern Cemetery
Drive through the oldest cemetery in Dunedin and view the spectacular family tomb of William Larnach. Designed by famed architect Robert Lawson in the image of Dunedin's Scottish First Church. The cemetery hosts a number of exquisite grave sites belonging to wealthy prestigious Dunedin people, nestled on a lovely wooded hillside.
What‘s Included
Guided tour of Larnach Castle
Cruise Port pickup and drop off; Please meet us inside the Visitor Building on ship's wharf
Entry fee to Larnach Castle
Lunch
Options
10:30am Dunedin City Pickup
Starting point:
Dunedin Railway Station, 3074332, Central Dunedin, Dunedin 9016, New Zealand
Iconic Shore Excursion: Iconic Larnach Castle Tour
Reviews
108 reviews
Total reviews and rating from Viator & Tripadvisor
Great tour guide with great stops
Dale T,Mar 6, 2026
- Review from Viator
5.00Our pre-tour questions were all answered in a timely manner and we felt well prepared for the tour. Ann, our guide was phenomenal. She prepared a great plan for the day and executed it with perfection. She said she loved to talk and she provided excellent commentary all along the way. The castle tour that she led was excellent. Best of all, she was extremely attentive to my wife's dietary needs and provided great options.
Great Choice
rmebob,Mar 5, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00We visited Dunedin while cruising and we prefer private tours versus cruise excursions. When slightly frustrated that 2 highly rated tour operators in Dunedin were booked, we were comforted that Iconic was the only other "friendly" competitor that they recommended. Ann with Iconic was both professional and personable. You can feel her love of the area and she made sure to include the best stops visitors should see. Plenty of time was available at each stop and we did not feel hurried. The highlight of this tour was Larnach Castle and included Ann as a personal guide. The optional time for lunch at the Castle decreased the need for bringing snacks or getting "hangry" toward the end. Using a smaller mini bus allowed for a much less expensive price than a private tour yet was far superior to a 40+ seater coach. When we had a change to our port departure time announced the day before arrival, Ann was aware and made sure to return us on time.
A day of History , a families story and beautiful surroundings.
lisalX8063HO,Mar 4, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00A fantastic tour , great value , Ann our tour guide had a real passion for the castle and Dunedin in general and this was evident as she shared stories and local knowledge that we would have missed with some of the larger tour operators. Thanks for a great Day Ann.
Launch Castle, Baldwin st and Highlights of Dunedin
Gillian M,Feb 28, 2026
- Review from Viator
5.00Our tour guide waiting in terminal building with a well marked sign 'Iconic Larnach castle'. Great day tour guide full of information along our journey. Beautiful railway station, interesting facts regarding uni accommodation, and the famous Baldwin st. Larnach castle was lovely our guide was well versed on the history of the building. I was recommended to do this tour.
Best tour of our cruise
Dan M,Feb 27, 2026
- Review from Viator
5.00This was the funnest tour! We saw so many interesting things and our tour guide, Ann, was AMAZING!!!
Great way to see the city
K7690BMadamd,Feb 26, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00Kim was great, very knowledgeable and easy to get on with, we happened to be the only two on the tour this day due to a cruise ship not coming in. Highly recommend this tour, we chose to do a tour instead of hiring a rental car, definitely the way to go, thanks again Kim!
Iconic Lanarch Castle Tour . Exceptional!
Lisa M,Feb 25, 2026
- Review from Viator
5.00This tour was fabulous from start to finish. Highly recommend Ann & her customer service.. She was very knowledgeable of the history, surroundings, just a beautiful lady to have as a guide. Will be looking her up when I return next time. Thankyou Ann for a truly wonderful insight into everything. 🤗
See the best of Dunedin if only for a short stay
John W,Feb 24, 2026
- Review from Viator
5.00Easy access from cruise ship. Our guide, Kim, was great. He was knowledgeable but also fun. The castle was well worth seeing but the city of Dunedin and the Mountain View’s were also spectacular. I would definitely recommend this tour to my friends and family.
Excellent, plenty of time at the castle, and good city overview.
WaterEngineer77,Feb 23, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00This was a great tour of parts of the city and especially Larnach Castle, exceeded my expectations. I had stayed two nights in the adjoining B&B (converted stables) at the castle in 1987 and wanted to revisit the castle. Booked direct with Iconic Tours, Easy. Six hours and a bit more. Ann was the tour guide for about 15 of us on the minibus, and did a super job. Visited a city viewpoint, the cemetery where Larnach has an impressive tomb, train station (scenic), the university, steepest street, then ample time at Larnach Castle to explore the gardens, have a lunch, and then a guided tour of the impressive rooms. Ann is an expert on the castle and even took us up to the uppermost turret for the views.
Fantastic tour, value for money, great communication & very well organised.
Kylie E,Feb 23, 2026
- Review from Viator
5.00I did this tour with my husband, mum & stepdad. We all absolutely loved it. Our guide was Kym who was a wealth of knowledge and very personable. Larnach Castle was the highlight for us but the whole tour was great value. I would definitely recommend this tour to anyone visiting Dunedin.
From NZ$179.00
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Operated by Iconic Tours NZ Ltd