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The perfect dramatic backdrop to an evening of grandeur, escapism and intrigue. Guests are encouraged to dress to the particular fantasy theme. Masks essential!!

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For more than two decades guests have been attending the fabulous Winter Ball at Larnach Castle. It is a wonderful event - soak up the historic atmosphere with everyone in Victorian period evening attire dancing the night away.

Experience the very best the Otago Peninsula has to offer this Winter.

Your chance to dance the night away in New Zealand's only castle, Larnach Castle.

Two nights' accommodation at 4-Star Plus Scenic Hotel Dunedin City (includes breakfast) and two tickets to the Larnach Castle Annual Winter Ball, Friday 16 July 2010.

Click photo to enlarge Larnach Castle director Norcombe Barker believes Dunedin has more to offer than many of New Zealand’s centres

FOR Larnach Castle director Norcombe Barker, increasing the number of castle visitors from Dunedin is an important step in maintaining a ‘‘worldclass’’ attraction.

Tourism Dunedin’s Passport to Love the Dunedin Difference campaign was an excellent way to encourage that, as well as further promote the castle’s own host-card loyalty scheme, he said.

‘‘We are very positive about the passport — something like 38 per cent of all visitors to Dunedin come to visit friends or family but most of them aren’t getting out to see the city’s attractions.

By HAMISH MCNEILLY

WHO you going to call? Not these ghost hunters — they don’t want to talk.

Wrapping up their four-day shoot at Dunedin’s Larnach Castle this week, the 17-strong American television crew were forbidden from talking to the media about their show, Ghost Hunters International.

Larnach Castle is the perfect setting for any special event.

Where else could you have the highlight of your conference but at Dunedin’s icon? Arriving at the castle on a moonlit night with the stars twinkling above, and perhaps a touch of Scotch mist for added atmosphere . . . Larnach Castle is truly the most fabulous venue for a special night’s celebration.

Click photo to enlarge Larnach Castle

Forty years of passion and hard work paid off for Larnach Castle owner Margaret Barker yesterday, with the castle garden being selected as one of only four New Zealand gardens "of international significance".

Mrs Barker spent several hours gardening at the castle yesterday. She also received a letter from the New Zealand Gardens Trust, announcing the new international ranking and congratulating her on "a wonderful achievement".

Discover New Zeland's only castle, built from 1871 by William Larnach.  Featuring magnificent architecture and superb craftmanship.  Learn of its tragic and scandalous history.

Click photo to enlarge Teddy, steady, go . . . Parents take part in an egg-and-spoon race during the Larnach Castle Teddy Bears’ Picnic

If you went out on the Otago Peninsula yesterday, you were in for a big surprise . . .

Fashionista teddy bears and their owners turned out in their finest foil glamwear at the Larnach Castle Teddy Bears’ Picnic, part of the 2008 Cadbury Chocolate Carnival week.

There were games of pass the parcel, creme-egg-and-spoon races and a picnic before the day’s highlight, the teddy bear fashion parade.