Olveston in Dunedin, Dunedin, New Zealand | Tours and Safaris

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 Dunedin,  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 to Olveston 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 in Dunedin.   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. Olveston is sited in the inner city and is within walking distance from the city centre of Dunedin.