Activities
Gore is the gateway to the picturesque rural province of Eastern Southland. It is an angler’s paradise boasting some of the premier brown trout fly fishing rivers in the world, one of which, the Mataura, can be seen from Hokonui B & B.
Other actvities close by include golf at the Gore Golf Club, Bush walking and mountain-biking in the local hills, visiting the Eastern Southland Art Gallery and Moonshine Museum, Croydon Aircraft Museum, visiting the Aquatic Centre and Ice Skating Rink or taking a flight in a tiger moth bi-plane.
Local events include the NZ Gold Guitar Country Music Awards, the Hokonui Fashion Awards, Dog Trialing, NZ Southern Sheep Shearing, Gore Racing & Trotting, Southern NZ Waimumu Fieldays, Gore A & P Show and Hokonui Moonshine Trail.So much more to see and do.
Click on headings below to reveal each item.
Trout Fishing
Gore is internationally renowned as the World Capital of Brown Trout Fishing.
The ‘mad Mataura rise’ is legendary as are the numbers of fish which live in the river. With such pure water, easy public access and plentiful fish makes Gore an Anglers Paradise.
Anglers fishing the Mataura River and numerous other rivers and streams in the region will find catching brown trout a challenge but those who take time and learn about the ways of the trout who live there will be well rewarded. The season is from October through to April.
Eastern Southland Gallery
The Eastern Southland Gallery is a public art facility, situated in the Arts and Heritage Precinct of Gore.
The Gallery features a wing dedicated to the collection of expatriate New Zealander Dr John Money, and the works of major New Zealand artist Ralph Hotere. The John Money Collection features over 300 items of New Zealand, Australian, American, African and Pacific sculpture, carving and painting and The Ralph Hotere Collection is the largest holding of the artists work in the country. The Gallery also holds over 250 works of art in three collections that focus on early New Zealand, Southland and contemporary New Zealand artists.
Hokonui Moonshine Museum
The Hokonui Moonshine Museum is part of Gore’s Hokonui Heritage Centre complex. This complex explores the history of the Mataura Valley and highlights one of the area’s most notable features – the making of illicit ‘Hokonui Moonshine’.
Just 150m from the town’s main shopping centre this visitor attraction provides a comprehensive merchandise selection which enables you to take a sample of illicit whisky away with you.
Hokonui Moonshiners Festival
The Hokonui Moonshiners’ Festival held annually in late February, is New Zealand’s original boutique whiskey festival celebrating the legend of ‘Hokonui Moonshine’.
Lovers of southern cuisine, fine wine, beer and whiskey, will be treated to an outdoor event, with a fantastic line-up of national and international musicians performing an eclectic mix of bluegrass, celtic and alternative country music. Not to be missed!
Croydon Aircraft Company
View vintage aircraft being restored and repaired at the Old Mandeville Airfield just 10 minutes drive from Gore. While there you can experience the thrill of open cockpit flying in a Tiger Moth or one of the other vintage aircraft available. The Moth Restaurant Café & Bar is another well established component of this precinct. The Mandeville Vintage Aircraft Fly-in is an annual event in February, which attracts a variety of aircraft and enthusiasts from around the country.
Photo courtesy of Gavin Conroy
Dolamore Park Scenic Reserve
Just 10 minutes drive from Gore is the beautiful 95 hectare Dolamore Park Scenic Reserve, which combines a native forest, expansive lawn and exotic plantings. The park boasts many walking tracks ranging from 10 minutes to 4 hours and has excellent playground and barbeque facilities. Relax and enjoy the native bush surrounds and wonderful bird life that abounds. Hear the tuis, bellbirds and wood pigeons and get up close with the fantails. Stroll along the Waimumu stream, home to brown trout and freshwater lobster. A great place to picnic and get away from it all.
Gore Multisports Complex
The jewel in Gore’s recreational crown is its new Multisports Complex, hosting an Aquatic Centre, Ice Rink and Sports Stadium. For those interested in fitness, swimming or simply relaxing in the hydro-therapy pool, the Gore Aquatic Centre will provide for all aquatic needs.
With a 25m x 8 lane pool and several children’s pools, it caters to family groups and individuals of all ages. The complex also boasts the Icesports Southland Ice Arena, an Olympic short course size ice rink and the only one of its kind in Southland. A great opportunity for individuals and groups to try their hand at skating, in a relaxed and inviting atmosphere. Also housed within the complex is the Indoor Events Centre which offers sporting and fitness activities all year round.
SBS St James Theatre
The newly redeveloped SBS St James Theatre in the centre of Gore is the envy of provincial New Zealand. With its state-of-the-art fly tower, the theatre can be quickly transformed from a cinema offering patrons a selection of the latest movies, into a live theatre venue presenting a variety of nationally significant performances. These sometimes include the New Zealand Ballet and New Zealand Symphony Orchestra.
Gold Guitar Week
Gold Guitar Week cements Gore’s reputation as New Zealand’s Capital of Country Music.
It is home to the New Zealand Gold Guitar Awards held annually on Queen’s Birthday weekend, when country music performers from throughout the nation come to compete for a variety of amateur titles. The first weekend of June sees the culmination of a 10 day long Country Music Festival. This event attracts artists from around the world and continues to grow in stature and popularity. Visitors to Gore leave with fond memories of the “Southern Hospitality” and along with the locals just soak up the country music atmosphere.
Hokonui Fashion Design Awards
The Hokonui Fashion Design Awards is firmly established as a major event on New Zealand’s fashion calendar. Since 1988 the Awards have provided a competitive platform for experienced and emerging amateur designers to showcase their designs before a panel of high profile judges and eager fashion enthusiasts. Held annually in late July, they are the longest running fashion design awards of their type in New Zealand.
Southern Field Days
The Southern Field Days is a major agricultural event that is held every two years near Gore in Southland, New Zealand. On show over three days during February will be the latest in rural technology, equipment and ideas from around the world. Drawing increasingly large crowds and with most leading rural businesses exhibiting, participating in this significant event is now regarded as essential if you have a product or service with a farming component. The Southern Field Days are held bi-annually to alternate with the South Island Field Days at Lincoln, Canterbury.