The concept of beauty seems subjective to me.
I did, however, choose what I think are the 12 most beautiful castles in Australia.
Just for fun, I also did include a few castles in Australia where you could bring your kids.
Some of them even have suites you can spend the night in.
Upon doing my research, I found out that not all the castles in Australia were built in the Medieval period (Middle ages).
I found one, in particular, that was erected in 1877.
That’s about 300 years after the Medieval period ended.
Most of them have both the Middle-Ages and Victorian periods infused into their structure and artistic elements.
10 Most Beautiful Castles in Australia
I felt overwhelmed by wondering what castles I would want to visit in Australia if I could.
I decided if it were me, that I’d start in Sydney.
That’s Australia’s oldest and largest city.
On the other hand, I do like going “off the beaten path” at least a little bit sometimes.
That’s why I also included some lesser-known castle formations in Australia.
1. Camelot Castle Kirkham
“Enchanting” was the first word that came to mind when I viewed a photo of Camelot Castle for the first time.
John Horbury Hunt designed it during the Victorian period in 1888.
However, it does have a “Camelot” and King Arthur Knights of the Round Table feel.
You’ll have to do more research into its origin though.
The first picture of Camelot I saw showed a palace that came right out of a fantasy storybook.
In that first photo I saw, the Camelot appeared majestic in all-white.
However, I think it later had changes made to it, which included painting the exterior darker.
Otherwise, someone posted the wrong photo of it.
Similar styles of Camelot-influenced buildings also include the towers, moats, and gables indicative of the Medieval period.
It’s meant to replicate some of the styles of earlier eras but does also have some of that Late Victorian vibe.
2. Fort Denison
Fort Denison has received recognition as a heritage site by the state of New South Wales.
It was used to house prisoners and was also used by the military.
The Fort Denison structure site, which first became reality from 1840-1862, now houses the Royal Botanical Gardens and the Opera House.
Moreover, it connects to Sydney Harbor National Park.
This fort site serves as both an environmental and historical area.
It also does attract quite a few tourists and has become a popular event venue.
3. Fort Queenscliff
Fort Queenscliff has some of the attributes of medieval-era architecture.
For instance, it has jagged ledges.
This Victoria, Australia fort does have one key difference, however.
The Queenscliff features angled corners similar to that of a beveled design.
Its towers also have a squared-off appearance rather than the rounded “chimney” appeal.
Keep in mind, however, that some of the pictures shown online may display only the renovated version of this castle.
This fort first came about in about 1860 as an effort to defend Port Phillip Bay.
During the 1870s and 1880s, construction crews made changes to the Queenscliff.
It is, however, apparent that it didn’t originally exist in the Middle Ages.
Instead, it does reveal more of a modern architecture era with some features from the Victorian age.
4. Paronella Park
Mark and Judy Evans bought Paronella Park in 1993.
They turned this Spanish-themed structure into a place where visitors could come and appreciate its “pleasure gardens.”
This one has more of an eco-friendly appeal than other Australian castles do.
When I look at it, however, I can’t help but think of the movie “The Secret Garden.”
Its grounds are saturated with green trees, bushes, shrubs, and grass of varying heights.
Jose Paronella first built this park in the 1930s.
He was indeed an immigrant from Spain, so that explains the exterior architectural style.
Apparently, more than 7,000 trees live onsite of this castle property, which Jose reportedly planted.
5. Castle Cove
You’d find Castle Cove in Willoughby, New South Wales, and Sydney is about 26 minutes’ driving distance.
The Cove did end up achieving heritage site status.
Jennifer Chan of Home Journal called Castle Cove “a slice of Australian history well-preserved” in 2021.
I like the visual effects of this one that happened by alternating light versus dark bricks as shown in the same year (2021).
I also noticed that the bricks used in the making of this castle are smaller than some others.
Henry Willis, one of Australia’s first parliament members, reportedly influenced the Cove’s completion.
I like the simple design with the elegant touch of castle “jaggedness” that the roof provides.
It also has four towers on each corner and a balcony.
It feels as though the architects behind this project intended it to be a sample of medieval times, and I feel they did a nice job of that.
What’s most interesting to me is that it feels a bit like a “cutout” of a larger kingdom.
It’s as if someone transported it to the time and place in the 1900s when it first existed.
At the same time, it does stand out on its own as a significant piece of Australian history.
6. Sunshine Castle
My first response when looking at a photo of Sunshine Castle was “ooh…”.
I approve of it, even though it wasn’t built until 1972.
It has all the important features of a medieval castle replica – minus the touristy signs on both sides of the entrance and above one of the outer walls.
What impressed me was the dirt on top of one of the towers.
I thought maybe it might be one that existed hundreds of years ago.
It’s not, but I wanted to believe that in my mind.
I also like the metal gate with the vertical bars.
I always liked them – no reason just do.
Anyway, the Sunshine Castle, originally built by a local Scottish couple, tells tales of European medieval history.
It has changed owners a few more times and new additions make it what it is as of 2021.
The original intention of Sunshine Castle, a.k.a. The “Bli Bli Castle,” was to add to a group of fairytale dwellings.
The “Bli Bli” name refers to the area in Australia where it resides.
7. Bishop’s Palace
The military didn’t have total authority over all things about castles.
Churches often adapted elements of medieval and Victorian-era designs.
The Bishop’s Palace located in Victoria, Melbourne, first existed circa 1877.
It boasts a 19th Century Gothic ceiling, fixtures, fittings, framework, painting, cornices and more.
It does have some modern amenities added to it, such as a spa.
Obviously, this castle provides accommodation and hosts private events, which may mostly just be for “fun.”
However, the first Bishop of Ballarat used to live in it.
Joseph Reed first designed it, and George Bloom built it.
Castles for Kids
8. Kryal Castle
You’ll find Kryal Castle at Leigh Creek in the Mount Warrenship foothills.
Ballarat is to the East.
If you see a picture of Kryal Castle, that’s what I would typically think of when someone mentions a “castle.”
It has typical towers with kingdom-shaped windows and jagged ledges.
It also has the moats and drawbridge that you typically would see in storybooks.
Kryal Castle has modern amenities too, such as a theater showroom, a face-painting station and a Dungeons & Dragons Museum.
The most fun for children and adults, however, is probably walking through the adventure park maze.
Important note: You might want to find out if this castle’s adventure park is open.
According to Ella’s List, it may be temporarily closed at least as of 2020.
The places to stay are reportedly open for essential travel, however.
9. The Castle
The Castle has an Irish Theme, and it sits on 14 acres of land.
It also has some well-manicured gardens.
It’s in the Southern Highlands located about an hour and 45 minutes drive from Sydney.
Bowral is also only about 12 minutes away.
If you have to be there for business or family, you might as well have some fun on the trip.
The Castle still retains its original medieval charm.
It also houses antique furniture, paintings, and curios.
It may not have as many modernized amenities as Kryol would.
However, it does have a vintage modern jukebox in contrast to the times that this palace represents.
The Castle also has two smaller pianos and one grand piano on site.
In addition, it has a radiogram and gramophone, two devices that will play either the radio or records.
In case you’re wondering, some of the children’s castles are not necessarily meant for historical accuracy.
Record players and jukeboxes came out in the 1940s and 1950s, and they’re “old.”
However, the medieval period (Middle Ages) ran through about the 5th to the 15th centuries.
10. Thorngrove Manor
They said you could bring children here.
However, it is a bit pricey, probably three times the cost of other castle accommodations.
Still, I can’t help but want to at least appreciate Thorngrove Manor architecture from afar.
I’d love the chance to stay at the Thorngrove Manor if I could afford it.
I wouldn’t need to bring any kids.
I just love the woodworking, textures, colors, and shapes of this manor.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Where can I see castles in Australia?
If you’re not sure where to start castle explorations, try Sydney.
This city has eight of them.
Other locations, such as Melbourne and New South Wales, also have them.
What are the reasons castles are built?
Even if not in Australia, there are still four general reasons castles are built, according to the World History Encyclopedia.
In Medieval times, such as the 11th Century, castles were built to assert power over territory and to defend against enemy attacks.
They also did build castles to determine places of residence.
In addition, they used them to mark hills, mountains, frontier, and water passages.
Why did Australia build castles?
Some of them may have had a functional purpose, such as protecting localities from outside dangers.
However, some of the structures built in AU were mostly for tourism and to educate people on Medieval and/or Victorian period histories.
Some castles were meant mostly to entertain children.
I also heard that one of the immigrant families from Europe added fairytale figures onsite to supplement their income.
They’re mainly for fun, education, and for generating revenue.
When were castles built in Australia?
As far as I know, castles didn’t come to Australia until the 1800s, during the Victorian period.
They did, however, often represent the Medieval castles first designed by Great Britain.
Note also, this castle trend continued into the 20th century.
Some of the castles built by European immigrants in Australia incorporated or replicated Middle Ages designs.
