Seacliff Lunatic Asylum

Seacliff Lunatic Asylum was a psychiatric hospital in Gothic Revival style near Dunedin on the South Island of New Zealand. The long building with its towers and halls stretched along a coastal cliff and provided space for hundreds of patients.

The facility opened in 1884 and operated until 1973, though a major fire in 1942 destroyed large sections and caused several deaths. Following the fire, safety rules were tightened and parts of the complex were never rebuilt.

Writer Janet Frame documented her experiences at Seacliff, providing insights into the mental health treatment methods practiced during the mid-20th century.

The grounds are now part of Truby King Recreation Reserve and hold Category 1 heritage status with Heritage New Zealand. Visitors can explore the few remaining structures and the surrounding coastal land, though most buildings no longer stand.

Medical superintendent Truby King turned the facility into a working farm where patients tended livestock and worked in agriculture. This form of treatment aimed to help people through outdoor physical activity.

Location: Dunedin City

Inception: 1884

Address: 22, 36 Russell Road and Coast Road, Seacliff

GPS coordinates: -45.67530,170.62200

Latest update: December 5, 2025 22:30