Reality television often relies on high-stakes drama, but the setting can be just as captivating as the game itself. The Traitors Australia is set to return on August 4, bringing viewers back to one of the most spectacular filming locations in the country: Castle Claremont. This grand historic estate in New Zealand serves as the perfect backdrop for the show’s mix of deception and betrayal.
Contestants step through the doors of the manor and immediately feel they have left the modern world behind. Rich timber panelling wraps almost every room, while a dramatic staircase commands the entrance hall. Ornate fireplaces and original joinery fill the interiors with a sense of cinematic history.
Krissy Marsh, a contestant from Real Housewives of Sydney, described the experience of arriving at the property. She said the architecture felt timeless, noting that the grandeur never seemed excessive. According to Marsh, the manor felt like a place that had witnessed generations of stories before the cast ever arrived.
The lounge room became the heart of the manor during filming. It offered contestants a rare chance to relax between takes. Marsh became somewhat responsible for keeping the fire burning because the New Zealand weather was so cold. The combination of historic detailing, a roaring fire, and garden views created a space that felt both stately and welcoming.
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The Round Table in the former church
Every banishment begins in the atmospheric Round Table room, housed within the property’s former church. The wider estate once operated as a convent, giving the property a spiritual and imposing history. While the set looks impressive on screen, Marsh says cameras cannot quite capture the true atmosphere in person.
If the psychological pressure of the game isn’t enough to keep contestants on edge, the building itself might be. Marsh is convinced the manor is haunted. She believes there were spirits there, more than just one, and that the house is absolutely spooky after dark.
The historic estate, that features soaring ceilings, detailed timber craftsmanship and centuries of history. It creates the perfect backdrop for one of Australia’s most suspenseful reality shows. Among this year’s contestants is Real Housewives of Sydney’s Krissy Marsh, who says the manor was every bit as unforgettable as the game itself. “My first impression when I arrived at the manor was just how grand it was. It was set amongst some of the most beautiful gardens I have ever seen, and there was an immediate sense of elegance and history.” She says it wasn’t simply the architecture that made an impression. Surrounded by manicured gardens and towering cypress trees, Castle Claremont provides the perfect setting for the deception and intrigue of The Traitors Australia. “More than anything, I felt its soul. You could tell it was a very old building with a rich past… It felt like a place that had witnessed generations of stories before we ever stepped through its doors.” The Traitors Australia manor feels like stepping into another era From the moment contestants enter, the property feels worlds away from everyday life. Rich timber panelling wraps almost every room. A dramatic staircase commands the entrance hall, while stunning windows flood the interiors with soft natural light. Ornate fireplaces, original joinery and impossibly high ceilings give every space a cinematic quality. For Krissy, what stood out most wasn’t just the luxury, it was the craftsmanship. Every corner of the manor showcases exceptional craftsmanship, from carved joinery to beautifully preserved timber floors. (Credit: Channel 10) The dramatic timber staircase makes an unforgettable first impression, with detailed wood panelling and stained-glass windows showcasing the manor’s rich heritage. (Credit: Channel 10) “The grandeur never felt excessive. The architecture had a timeless quality to it. You didn’t feel like you were on a television set; you felt as though you had stepped into another era.” The lounge room became the heart of the manor While viewers will spend plenty of time watching dramatic banishments around the famous Round Table, Krissy says another room quietly became everyone’s favourite. The elegant lounge, with its carved fireplace, Chesterfield sofas and towering windows, offered contestants a rare chance to relax between filming. It was so cold in New Zealand, that Krissy became ‘somewhat’ responsible for making sure the fire was always going. That’s how a loungeroom becomes a heart of a home, where people gather and share warmth. The combination of historic timber detailing, roaring fire and garden views creates a space that feels both stately and welcoming. Original fireplaces appear throughout the home, preserving the property’s remarkable architectural history. (Credit: Channel 10) The magnificent timber staircase worthy of a period drama. Original fireplaces that make every room feel cosy despite the mansion’s scale. The historic wood panelling and soaring ceilings. Garden views from almost every room. The atmospheric Round Table chamber inside the former church. The Round Table room is even more intimidating in person The Round Table room has become one of the most recognisable sets on Australian television, but Krissy says cameras can’t quite capture its atmosphere. The dramatic chamber is housed within the property’s former church, while the wider estate once operated as a convent. Every banishment begins here. Housed within the property’s former church, the
