Plenty to keep you occupied and entertained in Gore
If you are heading to Gore for Easter or simply passing through, there is certain to be something to keep you occupied and entertained throughout your visit.
Visitors keen on a stroll around gardens on perhaps a walking track are spoilt for choice when it comes to this delightful Eastern Southland destination.
The public gardens which boast a range of exotic trees can be enjoyed all year round or head off to Dolamore Park, a fabulous scenic reserve located north west of Gore and home to several walkways, mountain biking trails, a park and picnic/barbecue area.
The park encompasses over 95 hectares of forest and is home to a wide variety of native New Zealand bids like the kereru (a colourful wood pigeon), the playful fantail and the bellbird.
Check out Bannerman Park in Central Gore, off Crewe Street.
This park has a small stream running through it and is known to be extremely colourful all year round with a wide range of different flower types blossoming at intervals throughout the year.
A real treat for the keen gardener, Bannerman Park’s plantings are exceptional and most bare a sign in front of them with their English and Latin name.
For the history buff, Gore has a range of options including Hokonui Pioneer Park and the Hokonui Moonshine Museum.
Reknown for its days of illicit whiskey making, Gore’s Hokonui Moonshine Museum is dedicated to this history of illegal home distillery, a tradition that flourished in the Gore region for almost half a century where prohibition laws were applied throughout the country.
Visitors can buy Old Hokonui whiskey, made to the original recipe.
The Hokonui Pioneer Park museum, located in North Gore, replicates a small village in the mid-19th century.
Open from 2pm-4pm daily, admission is $2 and visitors will be taken back in time with the range of early farm machinery and home made furniture on display.
An extra history fix can be found at the Gore Historical Museum, where information can be found on its Maori and European settler past.
The adjoining Research Centre houses a significant collection of books, historic photos and newspapers about the district.
The Croydon Aircraft Company is also worth a visit, particularly if you’re keen on flying machines.
Located in Mandeville, just 17km along the State Highway 94 north of Gore the company is well known in New Zealand for refurbishing and flying vintage aircrafts. The 1930’s biplanes are their main attraction in addition to the great insight you will receive of the early aeronautic technology and their complicated restoration process.
You can also go flying in a restored Tiger Moth, Fox Moth and other 1930s biplanes. Those who prefer to keep their feet on the ground can watch vintage aircraft being worked on in the hangars.
For the fisherman or woman Gore prides itself on being the ‘‘Brown Trout Capital of the World’’ with the Mataura River known to have one of the higest brown trout population and catch rates. Flick a fly rod in the Mataura River or one of the many streams close by or organise a guided fishing trip if you don’t want to do it yourself.
Art lovers can also pop into the Eastern Southland Gallery if they so choose. The gallery features permanent exhibitions of national and international note as well as touring exhibitions.
And while you’re in Gore, take a selfie with one of the iconic statues and send it to your friends and family.
Gore has the trout statue, the country music Hands of Fame statue in close proximity, and the ram statue on the main street.
If you have young children with you on your journey, stop off at the Gore Aquatic Centre or the Ice Skating Rink, and if you just want to relax and enjoy some fine dining, Gore has plenty to offer. They also have a wide variety of fabulous shops to wander.
There truly is never a dull moment in Gore, check it out for yourself.