Seacliff

The road to Seacliff twists and turns over and back again across the train tracks between Oamaru and Dunedin. In her Autobiography, Janet Frame recounts taking that ride many times before and after her stay at the asylum, and each time, as the train passed the Seacliff station, she’d think, “the loonies were there, though, often it was hard to tell who were the loonies.”

Following Coast Road, between Karitane & Warrington, arriving at Seacliff for the first time can be an experience of mixed emotion, part intrigue and part unease in the knowledge that this seaside town is famed as the location of one of the last Victorian era asylums, now immortalised in local folklore.

Seacliff 'village' is a small, peaceful & close-knit community popular with artisans and organic gardeners.

Located within an outstanding coastal setting, Seacliff is known foremost as the site of the Seacliff Lunatic Asylum, built in the late 19th century.

The hospital was designed by architect Robert Lawson and managed for many years by Sir Frederic Truby King, who also founded New Zealand's Plunket.

Writer Janet Frame, quoted above, was notable among Seacliff's many patients.

A commemorative plaque on a magnolia tree at the site of the former Asylum, now Truby King Reserve, commemorates the years Janet Frame spent at Seacliff.

Location

History

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Seacliff Hospital Floor plan - Image | Archives NZ.

In 1942 Seacliff became immortalised by history as one of New Zealand's major disasters when fire engulfed the fifth ward, resulting in the death of 37 female residents who remained locked in their cells, with no means of escape.

Long since demolished due to subsidence, remnants of the foundations of the former hospital building are visible. The small ruins take on an almost 'shrine' like status when identified as the sole remains of the Gothic structure of a bygone era, one which did not afford the same human rights as we have today and where those suffering mental health were incarcerated and subjected to controversial and at times barbaric forms of treatment.

Other buildings remain in private ownership and not open to the public. In recent times those buildings have provided backpacker accomodation and home to 'rave culture' during the 1990s and 2000s.

Dunedin City Council record that - "The Truby King Reserve in Seacliff is a nationally recognised place of historical, botanical and cultural significance.

The 16 hectare reserve is named after the asylum’s medical superintendent, Sir Frederick Truby King. Truby King Reserve is Category 1 Historic Place registered with Heritage New Zealand..

The reserve includes grassed lawn, remnants of stone structures, a forest with unique trees, spectacular views across Blueskin Bay and a network of paths, an orchard, picnic area, tennis court and cricket ground."

Currently, the DCC are proposing improvements to the Reserve through a new long-term management plan.