The Castle Cruiser

05/02/2020

Queen obviously rate the place. Come and see what all the fuss is about with The Castle Cruiser.
Book now!!!

31/01/2020

The Northern Cemetery is not only home to the Larnach Tomb but also to its designer Robert Arthur Lawson and the writer of the NZ National Anthem, one Thomas Bracken.
Let The Castle Cruiser take you on a trip back in time, with a pretty damned fine tour of Larnach's Castle thrown in.
Book now @ www.castlecruiser.co.nz

26/01/2020

Happy Australia Day 2020 to our neighbours from "Down Under". May the fires burn out and the rain come. All the best from NZ. Brothers (and Sisters) in Arms - Always!!!

01/01/2020

Happy New Year to everybody and hopefully 2020 will be an awesome one for everybody. Best of luck to you all and enjoy the new decade.

To our Australian brothers and sisters keep your chins up. We are all thinking and praying for you over here that the rains will soon come and extinguish the bushfires. Kia kaha (Stay strong)!

A little something below for the Welsh and the Guinness Book of World Records to think about. Enjoy.

Oh and don't forget that if you are ever in Dunedin and are wanting a fun day out then book a trip on The Castle Cruiser. We would love to have you aboard on Dunedin's premier Larnach Castle Tour.

https://www.nzherald.co.nz/travel/news/article.cfm?c_id=7&objectid=12292989

Dunedin is once again on top of the world as home of the world's steepest street.

24/11/2019

It was a privilege on Thursday night to be invited to the opening of Larnach Castle's new gift shop.
The gift shop has been well laid out and has been sympathetically incorporated within the castle interior, fitting seamlessly alongside the old, making for something pretty special.
A credit to both Norcombe and Margaret Barker and all the staff and contractors that have made this stunning transformation possible.
All the best for this exciting new venture we know its going to be a winner.
There is definitely something for everyone in here so why not check it out and come and see it with www.castlecruiser.co.nz
Book now!

18/11/2019

The Castle Cruiser has a new employee and here it is - one pretty funky gilt edged frame.
Come and get your photo taken at Larnach Castle with our new worker in all its glory.
Just another reason to take your Larnach Castle tour with The Castle Cruiser.
Book now at:
https://www.castlecruiser.co.nz/pages/15/Bookings

18/11/2019

The flag at Larnach Castle is currently flying at half mast in respect of Dugald MacKay, the Castle piper who passed away last week.
RIP Dugald you will be sorely missed.
"Til we met again".

15/11/2019

The fight continues to reclaim what's rightfully Dunedin's... 😉.
Come and check it out for yourself and you decide with The Castle Cruiser.

It's been an uphill battle, but there's a glimmer of hope in the campaign to restore Baldwin St's world record. Dunedin surveyor Toby Stoff has...

13/11/2019

Today The Castle Cruiser is saddened to pass on the news that Dugald MacKay passed away yesterday after a sudden illness. To say we are shocked is an understatement.
Dugald for those of you that have been to the Castle on a Cruise Ship day with us was the Lone Piper that entertained thousands of people over the years with his enthusiastic playing of the bagpipes and a ready smile for those wanting to be photographed with him in all his impeccably dressed glory.
Small in stature but large in life Dugald always had a cheeky grin and a great sense of humour. He will be sadly missed by all that knew him and deepest condolences to his immediate family.
The Castle today was definitely deathly silent without him playing for the Cruise Ship that was in and a piece of the fabric that he helped the Castle create has been lost.
The mist even rolled in for a short time this afternoon, as if in tribute for Dugald.
Thanks for memories. Till we meet again.
RIP Dugald - "Mar sin leat"

01/11/2019

Well until Toby gets back from this little mission we will still continue going to Baldwin Street - the Southern Hemispheres Steepest Street.
The world title will soon be back for the Street but the Rugby title will be at least another 4 years away.

15/10/2019

An update to the Southern Hemispheres claim to regaining the worlds steepest street title.
"Stoff" the Welsh like we do at the rugby I say. Keep up the good work Toby.
Well worth a read/listen.

The battle for the world's steepest street is headed to court - kind of. AUDIO 🔊

12/10/2019

It's "Spring Fling" at the Castle today. It's a pity the weather decided not to play its part but still plenty of people up here enjoying the day.
For those of us old enough to get it I have posted a pic I have labelled "Terence Trent Darby" for obvious reasons. Enjoy!

12/10/2019

Not quite sure what's been going at the North end of Dunedin but clearly it's slightly potty down there.
Who would have guessed?
The things one sees at Baldwin St.

02/10/2019

The Castle Cruiser has a new employee. We're excited and all will be revealed soon... Watch this Space! 👀

13/09/2019

Day 10:
"Pic A Day" Challenge.
Today we focus on Dunedin's central carriageway - The Octagon.
Cafes and bars abound as do some wonderful buildings.
Let The Castle Cruiser show you around Dunedin. Book Now!!!

12/09/2019

Day 9:
"Pic A Day" Challenge.
Toitu - Otago Settlers Museum.
This would have to be the longest building in Dunedin and stretches a good 300m+ these days.
We travel alongside it on our way to Larnach Castle.
It's pretty hard to get in one pic so we have broken it down into its 3 differing architectural styles. Distinctly Different, Definitely Dunedin.
Book your tour to Larnach Castle with The Castle Cruiser today!

11/09/2019

Day 8:
Another couple of iconic Dunedin buildings that we get to see on our tour to Larnach Castle.
The Dunedin High Court (1902) and the old Prison & Police Station (1896) - which just so happens to be a scaled down version of Scotland Yard in the UK.

10/09/2019

Day 7:
"Pic A Day" Challenge. Today it's what was "Formerly" the World's Steepest Street - Baldwin Street (according to the Guinness Book of World Records). With a gradient of 1:2.86m, it's calf moulding.
There's still some conjecture, here in Dunedin, as to whether or not it's the world's steepest street, so, until all avenues have been exhausted, we'll keep on going here en-route to the castle. You might even want to try and get the record which currently stands at 1min 51sec up and down it.

09/09/2019

Day 6:
The magnificent Dunedin Railway Station designed by George Troup who ended up with the ignominious nickname of "Gingerbread George" for obvious reasons. Completed in 1906 this is another of our stops on our way to Larnach Castle.
Fun fact: There are some 750,000 tiles, on both the walls and the floors, from the Royal Doulton factory in England, throughout the Railway Station.

08/09/2019

Day 5:
"Post A Pic" Challenge. Today we can see the Tomb of Larnach in all its glory. This is a standard part of our tour and its where our tale of Larnach starts.
Interested? Then Book Now!!! @ www.castlecruiser.co.nz

07/09/2019

Day 4:
The equally impressive University of Otago Clock Tower building aka The University Registry Building. Started 150 years ago it was completed in 1877.
Just another stop on our tour of Dunedin. See more, do more with Dunedin's only locally owned daily tour to Larnach Castle. Book now!

06/09/2019

Day 3:
''Pic A Day" Challenge. Our usual starting point in the Octagon outside the Municipal Chambers from 2 different angles. Incidentally designed by the very same Robert Arthur Lawson of both Larnach Castle and First Church fame. Stunning Dunedin Architecture.

05/09/2019

Day 2:
The turret and flag at Larnach Castle.
Turret views to follow sometime during this 10 day "Pic A Day" challenge so keep an eye out because the views are AMAZING!

04/09/2019

To give outsiders a little taste of Dunedin and what you might get to experience on a trip with The Castle Cruiser over the next 10 days there will be a "Pic a Day" posted on here for you to all enjoy.
Hopefully it inspires you to book a trip to Larnach Castle with The Castle Cruiser.

Day 1:
The Molars, Portsmouth Drive, Otago Harbour.

16/07/2019

FORMERLY the world's steepest street!
Oh well finally the Welsh have something to sing about - since 1953.
Come on The Castle Cruiser and visit "the steepest Street in the Southern Hemisphere".
See you soon.

09/07/2019

Just another reason to be using The Castle Cruiser - Dunedin's ONLY locally owned and operated, dedicated, daily tour to Larnach Castle. BOOK NOW.

19/05/2019

Whether it be "This Way", "That Way" or the "Wrong Way", the "Only Way" you should use to get to NZ's only Castle is with The Castle Cruiser so BOOK your tour TODAY and let us show you this Dunedin icon and its wonderful Alice in Wonderland themed gardens!!!

19/05/2019

Nhi LE & Ngoc LE are both trying to show the White Rabbit a little bit of love on today's tour.
Let's hope the rest of you get to show the White Rabbit your love on a Larnach Castle Tour with The Castle Cruiser!
Safe travels back to Auckland ladies and I hope you enjoyed your tour with us to NZ's only Castle. Mark

29/04/2019

WELL, well, well, it's official. Enough said. What an incentive to come and do a tour with The Castle Cruiser and listen to Mark's dulcet tones and "outrageously charming" accent. It has been said he most definitely has a voice for radio. Book now for your own little bit of heaven.