Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
MAP
( 03-478 0286;
www.penguinplace.co.nz
;
45 Pakihau Rd; adult/child $49/15)
Situated on private farmland,
this reserve protects nesting sites of the yellow-eyed penguin. Ninety-minute tours focus
on penguin conservation and close-up viewing from a system of hides. Between October
and March, tours run regularly from 10.15am to 90 minutes before sunset. Between April
and September they run from 3.15pm to 4.45pm. Bookings are recommended.
Larnach Castle
MAP
CASTLE
(
03-476 1616;
www.larnachcastle.co.nz
;
145 Camp Rd; castle & grounds adult/child $28/10, grounds only $13/4;
9am-7pm Oct-Mar, to 5pm Apr-Sep)
Standing proudly on top of a hill, this gorgeous Goth-
ic Revival mansion was built in 1871 by Dunedin banker, merchant and Member of
Parliament William Larnach, to impress his wife, who descended from French nobility. It
didn't bring him much happiness, however. After his first two wives died and his third
was rumoured to be having an affair with his son, Larnach shot himself in a committee
room in Parliament in 1898. His son later followed suit.
The mansion is filled with intricate woodwork and exquisite antique furnishings, and
the crenelated tower offers expansive views of the peninsula. A self-guided tour brochure
is provided with admission, or you can buy an iPhone tour app which peoples the rooms
with costumed actors ($5). After lording it about in the mansion, take a stroll through the
pretty gardens or settle in for the 3pm high tea in the ballroom cafe.
Glenfalloch Woodland Garden
MAP
GARDENS
(
www.glenfalloch.co.nz
;
430 Portobello Rd; adult/child $5/free; 9.30am-dusk)
Expect spectacular harbour
views at this 12-hectare garden, filled with flowers, walking tracks and swaying mature
trees, including a 1000-year-old matai. The Portobello bus stops out the front.
Activities
The peninsula's coastal and farmland walkways offer blissful views and the chance of
spotting some wildlife; pick up or download the
DOC Walks Around Dunedin
brochure. A
popular walking destination is beautiful
Sandfly Bay
, reached from Seal Point Rd (moderate,
one hour return). From the end of Sandymount Rd, you can follow a trail to the impress-
