Riverstone Castle — Attraction in South Island

-Riverstone Castle: Where History Meets Horse Smells** Nestled in Oamaru, New Zealand, Riverstone Castle stands out not only for its Gothic and Romanesque architecture but also for its unexpected rustic aromas, courtesy of a nearby horse paddock.

James Allen's Dream Castle: Made of Stone and Sweat** Built in the late 19th century by politician James Allen, this castle is as much about its sturdy Riverstone construction as it is about the personal touch of its owner, who micromanaged the entire project.

-Quirky Facts: The Castle That Plays Hide and Seek From its hard-to-find entrance to the aroma of nearby horses, Riverstone Castle has its quirks. Be sure to book a guided tour if you want to unlock its secrets! Gourmet Dining and a Playground Fit for All Ages You might not be able to explore the castle freely, but the on-site restaurant offers a culinary experience simply delicious, and expensive.. and the playground? Fun for the whole family—yes, even the adults. Snap That Silhouette: A Castle Worth the View Even if you don’t step inside, the sight of Riverstone Castle against the scenic Oamaru landscape is enough to justify the trip. Bring your camera! remember the sun will be at the back in the evening. The shops and the old style: the shops are fun.. really. a lot of things. and beautiful things. mostly crafts and souveniers. but the flowers are dreamy and signs are cheeky. have a look.. u will enjoy it for sure. Dudee!!!! Plan Ahead: Don’t Miss Out on Your Castle Adventure becauseeee---as I have said before, no tour, no lookyy... sooo.. Book a guided tour early, and check the schedule so you’re not left waiting outside, wondering where the...

We arrive in an entry hall bedecked with suits of armour and medieval weapons, leading to a hall adorned with crests and painted portraits. This mansion includes two lounges, six bedrooms, a number of crenelated patios, a dungeon, and a moat. It’s incredibly opulent, cluttered in some places as to be impractical; I count a dozen pillows decorating one of the king-sized beds.

Dot Smith, the woman who incepted it, “had castles in her DNA” according to our tour guide. Dot collected ideas in her scrapbooks for years, and eventually paid for an architect to travel overseas with her for a few weeks to share her vision. The results are spectacular.

It’s not just a tourist attraction; Dot and her husband Neil live here. We are actually tiki-touring through their bedroom. I ask which of the lavish dining rooms they eat in. “Oh, they’re pretty down to earth,” says our guide. “They usually just eat at the...

Was a wonderful stop for the middle of no where. Have always wanted to stop here since I was a kid and now I’ve taken my kids here!!! We were a little Late to the game for the tour of the castle so look into that for when you come as they only have a few times through the day for it so will definitely have to come back for that but the gift shops and cafe were well worth the stop and visit. The cafe was pretty busy and think the staff were under pressure, the lady at the till seemed like we were an inconvenience to be there and was pretty quick to try and get rid of us but we ordered take aways and sat outside. Have the most amazing playground area for the kids which is great to see so we could eat and drink in peace. Will have to come back for the tour...