With modern facilities and city advantages in a beautiful rural setting, Gore is a drawcard for many visitors.
The Eastern Southland district boasts an eclectic mix of heritage, culture, and industry.
Gore (Maruawai), Southland’s second largest town, has hosted the annual national country music awards for 36 years and presents an impressive art gallery, while also revelling in its illicit whisky-making past and farming heritage. The town, which lies on the banks of the Mataura River - famed world-wide for its brown trout, was settled in 1862. It was named after Thomas Gore Browne, who was the governor of New Zealand between 1855 and 1861. With modern facilities and city advantages in a beautiful rural setting, Gore is a drawcard for many visitors.
Nearby Mataura is known for its historic paper mill and the still-operational freezing works, while Edendale is home to a large Fonterra dairy factory - one of the region’s biggest employers and, in 2009, the largest raw milk processing plant in the world. Waimumu has accommodated the biennial Southern Field Days, where businesses promote rural technology and services, since 1982. A drawcard of the peaceful settlement of Wyndham (Mokoreta) is the tranquil Maple Glen Gardens, a 30 acre private garden, nursery, aviary, woodland and wetland. And in Mandeville you can view a spectacular collection of vintage aircraft – perhaps even taking to the skies on a thrilling scenic flight in one of the restored planes.
Highlights
Highlights
The Gore District's colourful history of illicit whisky making and consumption is celebrated in this unique museum.
Learn about some of New Zealand's early aviators and see our wide range of fully restored aircraft, most of which are from the 1920s and 30s.
Open for lunch and dinner 7 days a week, a diverse range of customers are catered for in a warm, friendly, relaxed environment.
Situated on 6 acres of park-like grounds on the edge of Gore, this hotel offers standard rooms, superior rooms, family units or one bedroom suites.
Gore's go to place for a great meal, great service, and a great time, this restaurant offers comfortable, elegant dining and a superb menu.
A popular little cafe on the main street of Mataura that specialises in home-made food and great coffee, focusing on a homestyle atmosphere.
Three stylish queen rooms and an executive super king studio in a contemporary home, set in 3 acres of garden with friendly farm animals.
A private garden, nursery, woodland and wetland set in the rolling green countryside.
This fantastic park encompasses 95 hectares of native forest, walking tracks, expansive lawns, gardens, an excellent playground, and a camp ground.
