Cargill's Castle

Cargill's Castle is a Victorian-era mansion built from concrete and stone, standing on elevated coastal grounds overlooking the Pacific Ocean. The structure features detailed stonework and architectural elements typical of its period, positioned prominently on a promontory above the shoreline.

The mansion was built in 1877 for Edward Cargill, son of Dunedin's founder, initially known as The Cliffs. Architect Francis Petre designed it as an early example of concrete construction in New Zealand.

The mansion represents an early use of concrete in New Zealand building methods, showing how European architects adapted their craft to coastal conditions. This construction choice shaped how later buildings were designed along similar rugged shorelines.

The building is currently closed to visitors, but you can see the exterior from designated viewing areas nearby. Walking the coastal paths that lead to the site is the best way to experience its position on the promontory.

A tunnel carved into the coastal cliffs beneath the grounds connects to nearby Tunnel Beach, commissioned by the Cargill family for private seaside access. This hidden passage remains a rare example of ambitious 19th-century engineering for residential comfort.

Location: Dunedin City

Inception: 1877

Address: 111D Cliffs Road, St Clair, Dunedin 9012

Website: https://cargillscastle.co.nz

GPS coordinates: -45.91789,170.48052

Latest update: December 8, 2025 19:44