Castle Claremont / Instagram
Murder, deception and betrayal may drive the drama, but The Traitors Australia manor is just as much a star of the show.
NEED TO KNOW
- The Traitors Australia manor feels like stepping into another era
- The lounge room became the heart of the manor
- So is the Traitors manor actually haunted?
- The one design lesson Krissy would take home
- Where is the Traitors manor?
When the anticipated show returns on August 4, viewers will step inside one of television’s most spectacular filming locations: Castle Claremont. A grand historic estate in New Zealand, that features soaring ceilings, intricate 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.
“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.
“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.
We love…
- 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.
So is the Traitors manor actually haunted?
If you’ve ever wondered why contestants seem so on edge after dark, it may not be entirely because of the game. Krissy is convinced something else was happening inside the historic estate.
“The house is absolutely spooky after dark. To this day I am convinced there were spirits there, and more than just one.”
In fact, Krissy recalls unexplained noises echoing through empty rooms long after filming had wrapped. Whether paranormal or simply the creaks and groans of a centuries-old building, the atmosphere only heightened the psychological pressure of the competition.
The one design lesson Krissy would take home
If Krissy could borrow just one thing from The Traitors Australia manor, it wouldn’t be the grand staircase or even the magnificent fireplaces. It would be the home’s relationship with nature.
“No matter where you were in the house, you felt connected to the gardens, the landscape and the natural beauty that surrounded the property.”
Large windows frame greenery from almost every room, creating a feeling of openness despite the manor’s impressive scale.
Where is the Traitors manor?
Although The Traitors Australia creates the illusion of a secluded European estate, the series is filmed at Castle Claremont, a spectacular heritage property in Christchurch, New Zealand. Originally built as a grand residence before later serving as a convent, the historic estate now doubles as one of television’s most memorable filming locations.
Other contestants joining Krissy on season 3 of The Traitors Australia inclide Dicko from Australian Idol, Tully from Big Brother Australia, Luke from The Block, and Henry from Australian Survivor, hosted by Gretel Killeen.
The Traitors premieres on Tuesday, 4 August on 10.
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