The Origins of Larnach Castle

William Larnach’s vision for the castle was nothing short of ambitious. Taking over 15 years and 200 workers to complete, the castle was crafted with the finest materials, from imported Italian marble to Venetian glass. It was supposed to be the grandest residence in the Southern Hemisphere. But Larnach’s financial struggles quickly caught up with him, as the costs of such an elaborate construction soared, along with his personal tragedy, which has stained the castle since.

The Tragic Larnach Family

The personal tragedy that befell William Larnach and his family added darkness to the castle’s history. His first wife, Eliza, whom he adored, passed away unexpectedly, just a few years after the castle was finished. This devastating loss set the tone for more heartache. Larnach’s beloved daughter, Katie, died young from typhoid, and his second wife, Mary, who was his first wife’s half-sister, passed away as well. His third wife, Constance, brought even more scandal to the family, especially after rumors of an affair with Larnach’s younger son, Douglas, surfaced.

Amid these personal losses and scandals, Larnach faced mounting financial ruin. In 1898, overwhelmed by his personal and professional struggles, he tragically took his own life with a bullet to the head in the New Zealand Parliament, forever sealing his fate as a man broken by both the weight of his ambitions and his emotional turmoil.

The Haunted Legacy

With a history of personal tragedy and emotional turmoil, it’s no surprise that Larnach Castle has become a hotspot for paranormal activity. Visitors and staff have reported numerous unexplained phenomena, including the ghostly apparitions of the Larnach family members.

One of the most frequently seen spirits is that of Katie Larnach. Her presence is said to linger in her old bedroom, where visitors have reported sudden chills, sadness, and even the sensation of being watched. There have also been sightings of her ghost at the foot of the bed or passing through the hallways, adding to the chilling atmosphere.

But Katie is not the only spirit to roam the castle’s halls. Eliza Larnach, William’s first wife, is said to make her presence known with lavender perfume. There have been reports of a lady in Victorian dress seen gazing out of windows or walking silently through the gardens. However, perhaps the most unsettling reports surround William himself. His ghost is said to haunt the tower room and the study, two places where he spent much of his time before his tragic death. Visitors have reported hearing footsteps, doors slamming, and even whispers in these rooms, with some claiming to feel an invisible force pushing them.

A Chilling Timeline

Larnach Castle’s ownership has shifted over the years, with the building serving various purposes, including as a mental hospital, a retreat for nuns, and even a hospital for shell-shocked soldiers during World War I. By 1967, it was bought by the Barker family, who began extensive restorations. Today, the castle is a boutique hotel and tourist destination, offering stunning views of the Otago Harbour.

But it’s not just the castle’s history that attracts visitors. Many seek to experience the supernatural occurrences firsthand.

Ghost Tours and Paranormal Investigations

In modern times, Larnach Castle has embraced its haunted reputation, offering immersive ghost tours year-round. These morbid experiences allow brave souls to explore dimly lit corridors and rooms rarely open to the public. Lantern-lit tours through the tower room, basement, and other haunted spaces allow visitors to hear the stories of the Larnach family’s tragedies and the eerie events that followed.

On these tours, guests often find themselves armed with ghost-hunting equipment like EMF detectors and spirit boxes. One particularly chilling EVP (electronic voice phenomenon) was captured in Constance Larnach’s room, where a voice clearly whispered, “I did not do it,” after an investigator asked about the affair rumors.

But the hauntings don’t stop there. Other paranormal investigators, such as the Quantum Foundations Paranormal & Psychic Research group, have captured strange phenomena, including the sound of swishing dresses and male voices answering questions, which have further cemented the castle’s reputation as a haunting magnet.

The Ghosts of Larnach Castle: A Personal Experience

If you’re brave enough to visit, you might just be lucky — or unlucky — enough to experience some unsettling occurrences yourself. Guests have reported strange sensations of suffocation, doors opening and closing on their own, and even seeing ghostly figures in photographs. There’s a theory that the emotional energy left behind from the sorrow, betrayal, and loss that plagued the Larnach family has left a permanent imprint on the castle that continues to echo through its hall, and snatch the attention of the living who visit.

The Haunting Continues

There’s no shortage of opportunities for those interested in exploring Larnach Castle’s haunted legacy. The castle is open seven days a week and even offers overnight stays in the castle’s various accommodations. While some may find the presence of the spirits unsettling, others may be drawn to the castle’s tragic beauty and connection to New Zealand’s dark and mysterious past.

Whether you’re a skeptic or a firm believer in the supernatural, Larnach Castle is a testament to the lasting impact of personal tragedy and the eerie ways the past refuses to be forgotten.

Feel free to share your thoughts or any ghostly experiences at Larnach Castle in the comments below.

Notes

• Check out Haunted New Zealand, Larnach Castle 2022 to hear an EVP of a growl. The EVP can be heard around 00:05:57–00:06:11.
• Reddit User’s Photo: Faces in the Glass at Larnach Castle

References

Farrar, J. H. (2019). William Larnach — Victorian Mastermind, Fraudster or Tragic Victim?. The New Zealand Legal Information Institute. https://www.nzlii.org/nz/journals/WkoLawRw/2019/7.pdf

Intervening years. Larnach Castle and Gardens. (2025). https://www.larnachcastle.co.nz/about-us/history/intervening-years#:~:text=1900,Mrs%20Empson%20purchased%20the%20Castle

Larnach Castle. The Little House of Horrors. (2022, May 15). https://thelittlehouseofhorrors.com/larnach-castle/#:~:text=The%20ghost%20of%20William%20Larnach,Poor%20man

Larnach Castle. The Quantum Foundation. (n.d.). https://www.quantumparanormalnz.com/larnach_castle.html#:~:text=There%20are%20a%20few%20reputed,to%20be%20Mr%20Larnach%20himself

Snedden, Fleur (1997). King of the Castle: A Biography of William Larnach