Attractions

The Gore District's colourful history of illicit whiskey making and consumption is celebrated in this unique museum, located in Gore heritage precinct.

By recreating the scenes from old with static displays, audio, visuals and artefacts, the museum brings to life the characters and key events of the prohibition era that spawned the moonshine industry.

Find out how adventurous many local moonshiners became in the face of police opposition, and how kiwi ingenuity often foiled the Customs men.

Old Hokonui whiskey, made to the original recipe, is among a range of merchandise available to buy.

Hours

• Monday to Friday 8.30am - 4.30pm.
• Saturday 9.30am - 3.30pm
• Sunday 1.00pm - 3.30pm
• Public Holidays - as advertised

Entry fees

• Adult $5
• Senior citizens $4.50
• Under 18 years free

For more information phone our friendly visitor information staff (03) 203 9288.

Nicknamed the ‘Goreggenheim’ by Saatchi & Saatchi boss Kevin Roberts, the Eastern Southland Gallery is a regional public art museum, situated in the Arts and Heritage Precinct of Gore’s CBD. Established in a former Carnegie Library building, the Gallery includes the John Money Wing, which features the remarkable and internationally renowned collection of expatriate New Zealander Dr John Money. A great patron of the arts, his collection includes works by Theo Schoon, Rita Angus (NZ), Lowell Nesbitt (USA), Bambarra, Dogon and Baga carvings from West Africa, and paintings and carving from Elcho Island (Australia).

The Gallery is also home to one of the largest collections of works by major contemporary NZ artist Ralph Hotere.

There is also a steady flow of temporary exhibitions to whet any art lovers appetite.

Check out the latest exhibition on the Gallery's website.

Admission: Free - donations appreciated

Hours

Monday to Friday: 10.00am - 4.30pm
Weekends and Public Holidays: 1.00pm - 4.00pm
Closed New Years Day, Good Friday, Christmas Day and Boxing Day

http://www.goredc.govt.nz/our-facilities/arts-and-heritage/hokonui-moonshiners-museum/

Opened in 1999, the Museum is housed in the Hokonui Heritage Centre along with the Hokonui Moonshine Museum and the Gore Information Centre. Focussing on the history of Eastern Southland and the Mataura River Valley, attractive displays include early costume and textiles, Victoriana, gold recovery, farming relics and domestic and medical memorabilia, providing an enjoyable visitor experience for all ages.

The Research Centre attached to the Museum houses a significant collection of historical books, photographs and newspapers pertaining to local history. In addition, the Gore Genealogists collection of national and international family history records are available for use by researchers for a small fee.

Collection Type
History, Agriculture

Contact 03-208 7032

Visitor Information Centre

Corner Norfolk St and Hokonui Drive, Gore, New Zealand

Mon-Fri 9am-5pm Sat-Sun 1pm-4pm

Entry by Donation

The Park was established in 1977. It was founded by the people of Gore and Eastern Southland to protect the history of the local area. 

The original land was mined for clay for the adjacent brickworks. Many volunteer hours have gone into transforming this land from a derelict untidy space to the area it is today.
The campus includes a wildlife pond, a waterwheel, a crane that loaded the 'Earnslaw' at Kingston and a church with a lychgate.

The historic buildings onsite include a church with a lychgate, an old bank, a pioneer cottage, an early school and a blacksmith. All village building are set up with pioneering furnishings of the early-mid 1900s and include extensives Domestic, Agricultural and Business exhibits.

We have a large complex with an office, a kitchen, souvenir counter and public toilets. 
Inside the complex are displays of vintage tractors and cars and agricultural implements - many of which are fully restored.
There are also displays of a saddler, communications, domestic displays, a boot maker and a variety of household and farm items.

There is also a fully-restored 1904 Burrell traction engine.
Our complex adjoins the Vintage Car Club Motor Museum. 
There is ample car and bus parking available on the grounds

Opening Hours:

• 2 - 4pm daily - or by appointment.
• Groups bookings available 
• Seven days a week.

Admission:

• Adults - $5.00
• Children - $1.00
• Preschoolers free

Free car parking.
Wheelchair access.
Toilets available.

http://www.hokonuipioneervillage.co.nz

Public Session Ice Skating                                                           Hours*                                                                                         Please Phone Multisports Reception to check opening hours- 203 9128
Saturday 2pm - 4pm
Sunday 2pm - 4pm
Public Holidays -Please check our Facebook page to confirm or phone the Gore Multisports Complex to check.

We close over the Christmas and New Year period we close for approx 4-8 weeks to give all our volunteers a break.

*Although we aim to be open for all these sessions sometimes we have cancellations for various reasons so please check with the Multisports Complex before you visit or Facebook.

Prices (including skate hire):                                                         Child $10
Adult $12
Family (Up to 5 people, max 2 adults) $40

Ask about the swim/skate combo deal when purchasing your entry!

Penguin Skating Aid Hire                                                               One penguin $5 per session + $5 bond which you will get back once your penguin has been returned as long as the duty person agrees you have followed the rules and taken care of the penguin during the session. If you fail to comply with the rules you will not receive your $5 bond back.

TheGore Aquatic Centreis part of the jewel in the Gore District's recreational crown, that is the Gore Multisports Complex.

It is located just off Robertson Street and is signposted from the intersection of SH1 and Charlton Road.

The aquatic centre is made up of

• An eight-lane 25m main pool with a water temperature of 28.5 degrees
• A leisure pool, including a toddler's pool, rain drop, water fountains, walk-in beach area, bubble pit & sprays. Water temperature is 31 degrees.
• A hydrotherapy pool shaped like a three leaf clover, with a water temperature of 39 degrees

Pool facilities include:

• A disability hoist to lower customers into the main pool and hydrotherapy pools
• Wheel chair
• Family changing rooms, include private shower & baby change table
• Disabled changing rooms include shower, toilet, basin, hoist, change table & storage
• Women’s and men’s changing rooms include toilets, open showers with partitions for privacy, hand basins and baby change table & seat

For information about what's on you can phone 03 203 9128 or email us at multisports@goredc.govt.nz.

Open Hours                                                                            

Monday to Friday 6.00am to 9.00pm                                                   Saturday - term time 9.00am to 6.00pm                                             Saturday - school holidays 10.00am to 6.00pm                             Sunday 10.00am to 6.00pm                                                             Public Holidays 1.00pm to 5.00pm

Closed

• Christmas Day/Boxing Day
• News Years Day/2 January
• Good Friday

Times subject to change

Guidelines                                                                                         To ensure a safe and happy time at the pool please consider the following:                                                                                     Health Issues                                                                                     If you have diarrhoea please do not use a public swimming pool until you have clearance from your doctor. Preschool children must have correctly fitted swimwear eg. Little Swimmers, which can be purchased at reception. We recommend swimmers shower and use the toilet before entering the pool.                                                                           Dress Code                                                                                     We prefer approved togs be worn in the pool. A clean t-shirt and shorts may be worn over togs in special circumstances. Unacceptable swimwear includes jeans and underwear.                                                        

Age Restrictions                                                                       Children aged under 8 years must be actively supervised by a responsible person aged 16 years and over, who is able to provide immediate assistance. Preschool children must have a person aged 16 years and over in the water with them, actively supervising and able to provide immediate assistance.

AdmissionPrice                                                                       Children (under 16 years) and pre-schooler             $ 2.50                         Adults                                                                 $ 4.50                        Senior Citizens (60+) and Student (ID required        $3.50                 Caregiver accompanying pre-schooler (16 years+)   Free                 Family Concession (2 adults/3 children)                 $14.00                       Spectator                                                             $ 1.00                 Shower                                                                $ 3.00       Swim/Skate Combo - Adult/Child (incl skate hire)    $14/$10           AquaFit (with swim concession card)                      $ 2.00                 AquaFit - Adult (without swim concession card)       $ 6.00             AquaFit - Senior (without swim concession card)      $ 5.00

Phone us on 03 203 9128 or email multisports@goredc.govt.nz.

Located in Gore's town belt, this was Gore's original public garden. The land was set aside in 1874 but not laid out until 1906 by David Tannock, of Dunedin, the horticulturalist largely responsible for the Dunedin Botanic Garden.

The present design is based on this historical layout and incorporates many mature trees such as the gigantic Wellingtonia and two horizontal elms. Among the exotic trees and shrubs are a number of rare and unusual specimens including those in the extensive conifer border.

No matter the season, there is always something to see at the gardens. Spring bulbs are accompanied by camellias, magnolia and enkianthus trees flowering; the peony border is spectacular in November and in summer the roses provide an impressive display.

In the autumn annuals continue to bloom as the deciduous foliage begins to turn on the maple trees, the enkianthus becomes a bright red and red berries appear on the sorbus trees. Winter features include the witch hazels that bear yellow flowers on bare branches after the yellow autumn foliage drops. And hawthorns (Crataegus) produce red berries through the winter after the white blossom finishes. The conifer border is also a winter attraction.

There is a winter garden complex open all year and an aviary attracts a lot of interest from locals and visitors alike.

With its abundant shelter, the gardens are an ideal venue for events such as the Gore Rhododendron Festival in October, and the Christmas in the Park concert in December.

Bannerman Park dates from the 1870s but the little valley was full of gorse and broom until cleared in the 1960s. Extensive plantings of rhododendrons, conifers and silver birches were established at that time and 20 years later the creek beds were developed with bog plants. Since then herbaceous and woodland subjects have been added.

Early spring is announced by daffodils, meconopsis, camellias, cherries and magnolias. There are large beds of species rhododendrons-R. yunnanense, R. decorum and R. spinuliferum all grown from seed gathered in the wilds of Yunnan Province in China.

In November the streams and ponds are lush with gunneras, hostas, irises and candelabra primulas along with native ferns, astelias and Chatham Island forget-me-nots. As the season progresses peonies, daylilies and ajuga add to the effect.

There is a brilliant display of autumn colour provided by the many deciduous trees and under these hellebores bloom in winter. Most of the trees in the park are named. The spring time display of candelabra primulas at Bannerman Park is probably the best in the country.

Opening Hours and Tariffs

Open every day

Free entry

Located 11km from Gore at the south-west end of the Croydon Bush Scenic Reserve, on the lower slopes of the Hokonui Hills, Dolamore Park offers something for everyone.

Dolamore Park encompasses 95 hectares of native podocarp forest, expansive lawn areas and a range of exotic plantings encased by stone wall terracing.  Extensive areas of over 500 mature Rhododendrons make a spectacular show in spring.

Camping, Picnic & BBQ Facilities

Dolamore Park is an ideal location for a family day out or a night's camping. There are uinlimited tent sites on grassed areas, 22 powerpoints for campervans to hook up to and electric BBQs. These are free to use. There are also kitchen and shower facilities.

Camp fees are $10 per adult, $2 for school age children and under 5s free. No Dogs Allowed

Activities

Dolamore Park is the gateway to many pleasant easy walking tracks.  They range in length from 10 minutes to 4 hours.  Views of the Mataura Valley are fantastic.

Department of Conservation walking tracks lead through the forest, giving visitors a chance to explore and discover many native plants and wildlife. Take a camera and binoculars, as the view from the top of the Poppelwells Lookout is worth documenting.

These tracks are of good to excellent standards and can be walked most times of the year.  Sturdy footwear is recommended.

Mountain biking enthusiasts are also catered for with a grade 3 track just minutes from the Park, at Pope Road. 

There is a playground that includes slides, swings, jungle gyms, rope-climbing wall and even a flying fox.

An Education Centre is open by appointment, displaying interactive information which shows the balance of biodiversity in native forests.

Flora & Fauna

Native bird life happily co-exists with the visitors in the Park.  There are Kereru (native wood pigeon), Fantail, Bellbird and the Tui. These are other birdlife are commonplace, especially when the Flax, Rata and Kowhai are in flower. 

A few hundred metres along the well-built wooden rampway at night reveals a bioluminescent display from the resident population of glowworms.

The Waimumu Stream, which flows through the Park, is the home to Brown Trout, Long Finned Eels and also the native Kokopu.  A moderate population of freshwater lobsters can be found under the rocks. Kingfisher, Herons and Black Shag also make regular visits to the stream.

History

Dolamore Park is named in honour of the Dolamore family, whose gift allowed the camping area to be developed. The land was originally bought by the Gore Borough Council in 1940 to establish a public picnic area and provide access into the adjacent Croydon Bush Scenic Reserve in order to maintain it as a wildlife sanctuary.

The Gore A & P Showgrounds are located in Bury Steet, at the southern end of Gore. Considered one of the most picturesque showgrounds in the South Island, they cover just over 11ha in a park-like setting. The Gore A & P Association's annual show is held there on the first Saturday in February.

Organisations that make the showgrounds their home include

• Southland Showjumping
• Southland Dressage
• Eastern Southland Riding for the Disabled
• Gore Woodworkers' Club
• Gore Anglers' Club
• Gore Spinners and Weavers Club

The grounds consist of multiple playing fields, the Southern Equestrian Park Trust all weather arena, a ram selling pavilion, the multi-purpose Hokonui Pavilion, storage sheds, a softball diamond, main ring, grandstand, supporting buildings and sealed areas.

A wide range of events are held throughout the year, including

• Rugby
• Touch Rugby
• Marching
• Softball
• Show jumping clinics with outside instructors
• Smallbore rifle shooting
• the Southern Shears shearing championship
• Gore High School's annual fireworks display
• the Pakeke Lions Club's annual book sale
• a variety of horse breed shows

There are also facilities for motor homes to park. It costs $5 a night, with power paid for by arrangement with the caretaker. Showers are available on a casual basis at $2 per shower.

A joint management committee, made up of Council and Gore A & P representatives, looks after the showgrounds.

The caretaker is Bevin Roy, phone 027 644 9909.

Gore racecourse is home to the Gore Racing Club. The racecourse is sited on 53 hectares of freehold land which as well as providing racing facilities is also a training centre. You can combine your trip to the races with some fishing. From October to April, Gore attracts anglers from all over the world hoping to catch the wily brown trout, famous in the waters of the nearby Mataura river. Gore is also the Country Music Capital of New Zealand and hosts the “Gold Guitar Awards” during the week leading to Queens Birthday weekend each year and is attended by participants from throughout Australasia.

 How to get there

The racecourse is located 1.5 km south of Gore township on the Gore-Mataura Highway.