The Olveston Experience, Dunedin Historic House Tours
Olveston is an eloquent expression of one man's dream. A tour of Olveston allows an intimate glimpse of the lifestyle of a privileged family in the early 1900's. It reflects a lifestyle enjoyed by just a few, but represents a most important piece in the mosaic of early New Zealand life as a whole.
Visitors are very conscious of the family throughout the home, enjoying and experiencing the many treasures that were an integral part of the family's day-to-day life. Olveston captures this lifestyle completely. There is no more accurate or definitive example in New Zealand.
Olveston was designed for David Theomin by London architect, Sir Ernest George (1839-1922) and built between 1904 and 1906. The Jacobean style grace and grandeur of Olveston is distinguished by a wealth of decorative detail. It possessed a service lift linking all four storeys. The house was centrally heated and had an internal telephone system.
Olveston provided the Theomin family with the perfect setting to entertain both professional and personal friends. Seven servants were employed to service the 35 rooms and to manicure the acre of beautiful garden. The home is sited in the inner city and is within walking distance from the city centre.
Tour Information
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Group Size: |
- Groups will be managed up to 15 people per guide. |
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Our Guides: |
- Only trained personnel conduct guided tours. German, Japanese and Dutch speaking guides are available but we must have advance notice at the time of booking. |
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How Long: |
- The guided tour of the house takes 1 hour but to also appreciate the garden in the season and outside architecture (don't forget the early family motor car on display) or browse in the shop, then approximately 1 hr 15 min is recommended. |
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Reservations: |
- Reservations are absolutely essential. Confirmation of final visitor numbers prior to arrival is important to allow us to provide the appropriate level of service. A toll-free tour reservation/confirmation service is available on 0800-100-880. You can also book a tour of Olveston below. |
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Hours: |
- Olveston is open 364 days of the year, (Christmas Day only by prior arrangement.) Regular tour times at: - 9.30 and 10.45 am, 12 noon, 1.30, 2.45 and 4 pm daily cater for casual visitors for whom a reservation is recommended. For tour groups a timetable to suit can be accommodated by prior arrangement, evenings included. Your communication to us is most important and is essential to allow us to provide a standard of service that we are not prepared to compromise. |
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Parking: |
- Parking permits are available at reception
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The Olveston Experience, Dunedin Historic House Tours Enquiry Form
Address:
42 Royal Terrace
Dunedin
Otago
Phone: +64 3 477 3320
Freephone: 0800 100 880
Fax: +64 3 479 2094
Web: Visit website
RATES: Quoted in NZ$, Subject to change.
Rates (GST Incl ) 1 October 2010-30 September 2011
Retail Rates
Adult: $16.90
Child: 7.70, School age
Discount Rates
$15.90, Senior citizens, YHA, backpackers, tertiary students
Group (Wholesale Rates)
Adult: $12.50 (groups of 10 or more)
Child: 7.50 School age
Cruise Ship Wholesale Rates
Adult: 14.00 (groups of 10 or more)
Child: $7.50 School Age