Named in honour of Alfred Strode, a veteran of the Wellington Militia and Otago’s first police magistrate, who secured the original lease for Earnscleugh Station in the early 1860s. Sheep farming eventually took root though the introduced rabbits of the 1830s soon began their relentless plague on the land – a story still whispered in the very walls of the castle today.
Step inside and the rich, deep emerald-green walls immediately envelop you in warmth and heritage grandeur. Ornate white plaster cornices and ceiling roses frame the space, while a striking brass chandelier casts a golden glow over the generous French antique bed.
The beautifully restored antique wooden wardrobe stands tall against the green, its warm timber tones complemented by wooden French doors that open onto the large shared western balcony.
This is the room’s crowning glory: step out onto the sun-drenched balcony in the afternoon and you’re greeted with sweeping views across the Fraser River, the rugged Old Man Range in the distance, and directly down to the castle’s pool, sauna, spa and timber decks below.
Heavy, dramatic floral curtains frame the doors, and the soft carpet underfoot makes every moment feel like a private sanctuary within the castle walls.
