Gore: Discover culture, trails and recreation

When looking for a hotel in Gore, you can start by considering what you want to shape your stay: cultural history, outdoor trails or recreational facilities. The town combines a gallery and regional history attractions with parks, gardens and opportunities to stay active. These differences can help you plan your time in Gore around the things that interest you most.

Art and history in Gore

The Eastern Southland Gallery is housed in a former Carnegie library building. The John Money Wing displays works by Theo Schoon, Rita Angus and Lowell Nesbitt. The gallery also houses one of the largest collections of works by contemporary New Zealand artist Ralph Hotere. The building, named exhibition space and artworks offer several cultural points of interest for visitors.

The Old Hokonui Museum & Distillery presents the Prohibition era through static displays, audio and visual material, and artefacts. Gore’s Heritage Precinct is also home to the Hokonui Heritage Centre, which includes the Gore Historical Museum. Public access to the Gore Historical Museum is temporarily closed; check its current status before planning a visit.

Trails and recreational facilities

The Gore Multisports Complex includes Southland’s only ice rink, as well as a state-of-the-art Aquatic Centre. Ice rink opening hours vary, so check the current times before visiting; Aquatic Centre operating details may also change.

Hamilton Park offers a variety of ways to enjoy the outdoors. The Waikaka Walkway is an easy, flat trail alongside the Waikaka Stream, with access to the water for fishing. The park also has a mountain bike practice course, four scenic trails along the Waikaka Stream, and a shared walking and cycling path for beginners. You can choose between a flat trail with fishing access, designated routes and a shared-use path, without treating these as the same offering.

The miniature railway at Hamilton Park also operates in summer. As its operation is seasonal and may change, check in advance whether it will be running on your visit dates. Bannerman Park offers a different park setting: it is home to Romeo, a red deer, his hinds and his calf. A paved path and gravel paths wind through the gardens. Gore Public Garden has a conservatory and an aviary that are open year-round. These gardens are therefore distinct from the Waikaka Stream attractions and recreational facilities.

Events and visitor information

The On the Fly Mataura River Festival takes place at River Terrace in Gore. The programme includes free activities for children and local artists. Fly-fishing guides and anglers are also at the festival, along with food stalls. Event dates and the programme may change, so check these details before planning your visit around them.

The Gore Visitor Centre is at 16 Hokonui Drive, in the heart of the Heritage Precinct. You can get local information there through advice, brochures and maps. Local products from food producers and craftspeople in Southland are also sold there. The Visitor Centre can arrange bookings for bus, ferry and scenic rail services. As the services involved may change, ask about current booking options in advance.

When choosing a hotel in Gore, you can focus on the interests that shape your trip: the gallery and historic attractions offer a cultural focus, while trails, parks and recreational facilities provide other ways to get to know the town. For seasonal or changeable attractions, check the relevant visiting arrangements if they are important to your plans.

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