Signs students are in residence

The Castle is one of dozens of named student flats in North Dunedin which are the subject of a page set up on internet social networking site Facebook and could also feature in a book by former Otago student Sarah Gallagher.

• Slideshow: Distinctive Dunedin flats [2]

• Undying fame of student flats [3]

The second-year University of Otago students - (from left) Stacey Ryan, Amy Stent and Anna McWilliam (all 20) - admit they and five other flatmates had to fight back about 20 groups of boys to take over the rental of the flat traditionally rented by males at the start of the year, but the group wouldn't give it up for anything.

"We just say 'The Castle' and everyone knows where you mean," Miss McWilliam said.

The Leith St North flat came with a piano in the hallway, which has been there for as long as anyone can remember, and the top of which has been used for "stair surfing" on many occasions.

Another long-term feature of the flat is a poster from the Australian movie The Castle, which takes pride of place in the kitchen.

The turret which gives the flat its name is a small bedroom at the top of a grand staircase, complete with bed on beer crates.