2 minute read
Top Must-Do's in Gore
Tussock Country Music Festival
For country musicians and fans of every ilk. From Queen’s Birthday weekend for nine days, over 700 global competitors turn up for the New Zealand Country Music Capital of Gore.
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Gore sign © Southland Tourism
Freeze Ya Bits Off Busking
A key event in the Tussock Country Music Festival, buskers compete to win a $3000 grand prize. With mulled wine and food, the atmosphere is electric.
Trout Fishing
Fishing in Gore © Southland Tourism
Gore is regarded as the world’s Brown Trout Fishing Capital and with almost 150km of accessible water, Mataura River is considered the holy grail for dry fly angling.
Croydon Aviation Heritage Centre
Located just outside of town, this museum is crammed with New Zealand’s earliest aircraft; book a scenic flight aboard a vintage bi-plane.
Dolamore Park
A 95ha forest bursting with native New Zealand birdlife. There are multiple walks and a tranquil campground that come nightfall, twinkles with stars and glowworms.
Eastern Southland Art Gallery
Eastern Southland Gallery © Southland Tourism
Nicknamed the ‘Goreggenheim’ and housed inside the 1909 library building, the gallery’s exterior is as striking as the exhibits within. A most dazzling collection of contemporary artworks in the most unexpected place. Admission is free.
Hokonui Moonshine Museum
A trip to the Illicit Past... Gore’s colourful history of illicit whisky distilling and bootlegging is brought to life at the Hokonui Moonshine Museum and boutique moonshine distillery. Due to renovations, we advise you to check the museum is open before you visit.
Hokonui Pioneer Village and Museum
Tap into Gore’s extensive agricultural history by visiting this replica pioneer village. Incorporating a church, old bank, traditional cottage, school and blacksmith as well as vintage tractors and the adjoining Vintage Car Club Motor Museum.
Gore Public Gardens
Roam around these gorgeous gardens, making full use of the picnic tables and park benches before meandering around the rose garden, aviaries and year-round winter garden.
Gore Public Gardens © Getty Images
St James Theatre
Built in 1936, the theatre is a perfectly preserved piece of art deco. Don’t miss the theatre’s retro 80s-style snack bar, another nostalgic blast from the past.
Balfour
Stop on the way between Gore and Lumsden for a snoop around this classic little town with a tavern, historic sites and lovely old churches.
