Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
The tour is conducted in 'go-anywhere' Argos vehicles by enthusiastic guides, at least
some of which double as true-blue Kiwi farmers. If you don't believe it, ask about the
sheep-shed experience (price on application).
Penguin Place
WILDLIFE RESERVE
OFFLINE 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 be-
fore sunset. Between April and September they run from 3.15pm to 4.45pm. Bookings
are recommended.
Larnach Castle
CASTLE
OFFLINE MAP
( 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 Gothic Revival mansion was built in 1871 by Dunedin banker, mer-
chant 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
GARDENS
OFFLINE MAP
(
www.glenfalloch.co.nz
; 430 Portobello Rd; adult/child $5/free; 9.30am-dusk)
Expect spectac-
ular 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
