Gore Arts & Heritage Precinct, Gore, Southland

Discover three of the most interesting things to do in Gore within the Gore Arts & Heritage Precinct, bringing together art, local history, visitor information and the colourful story of Hokonui moonshine.

The precinct encompasses the Eastern Southland Art Gallery, Maruawai Centre and Gore Visitor Centre, and the Old Hokonui Moonshine Museum & Distillery – three closely located attractions that showcase different sides of Gore and the wider Southland region.

Visitors can discover significant art collections, learn more about Gore’s history and heritage, uncover the stories behind the region’s illicit whisky-making past, and find local information and inspiration for exploring Gore and beyond.

Why Visit the Gore Arts & Heritage Precinct?

• Three Gore attractions in one precinct – Discover art, history, heritage and visitor information in one convenient area.
• Eastern Southland Art Gallery – Explore one of Gore’s key cultural attractions and its art collections.
• Maruawai Centre – Visit Gore’s developing history museum and discover more about the district’s stories and heritage.
• Gore Visitor Centre – Find information and inspiration for exploring Gore, Southland and the surrounding region.
• Old Hokonui Moonshine Museum & Distillery – Discover the fascinating story of illicit whisky making in the south.
• Arts and heritage experience – An excellent stop for travellers interested in New Zealand culture, history and regional stories.
• Easy to explore – The three properties are located close together within central Gore.
• Add to a Gore itinerary – An ideal starting point for discovering more things to see and do around Gore.

Discover Arts, Heritage & History in Gore

The Gore Arts & Heritage Precinct brings together three distinctive visitor experiences, making it easy to discover more of Gore’s culture and history in one visit.

Rather than being a single attraction, the precinct connects three closely located properties, each offering visitors a different perspective on Gore and Eastern Southland.

Spend time exploring art at the Eastern Southland Art Gallery, discover local history and visitor information at the Maruawai Centre, and uncover one of Southland’s most colourful stories at the Old Hokonui Moonshine Museum & Distillery.

Eastern Southland Art Gallery

The Eastern Southland Art Gallery is an important part of Gore’s arts and cultural landscape and one of the key attractions within the precinct.

The gallery provides visitors with an opportunity to experience art in the heart of Gore and forms an integral part of the town’s wider arts and heritage offering.

For art lovers and cultural travellers, the gallery is well worth including in a visit to the precinct.

Its close proximity to the other attractions makes it easy to combine a gallery visit with Gore’s local history and Hokonui moonshine heritage.

Visit the Eastern Southland Art Gallery website for current exhibitions, visitor information and opening details.

Maruawai Centre & Gore Visitor Centre

The Gore Visitor Centre is now located within the Maruawai Centre, creating a central point for visitors wanting to learn more about Gore and plan their time in the region.

The Maruawai Centre is also being developed as Gore’s history museum, bringing the stories and heritage of the district together in a dedicated space.

Visitors can call into the Gore Visitor Centre for local information while discovering more about the developing heritage experience within the Maruawai Centre.

Once completed, the history museum will add another significant dimension to Gore’s arts and heritage offering.

Visit the Gore Visitor Centre / Maruawai Centre website for current visitor information and updates.

Old Hokonui Moonshine Museum & Distillery

The Old Hokonui Moonshine Museum & Distillery explores one of the most distinctive chapters in Southland’s history – the story of Hokonui moonshine and illicit whisky making.

The Hokonui story has become an important part of Gore’s heritage and provides visitors with a fascinating insight into the people, traditions and stories associated with the region’s illicit distilling past.

Located within the Gore Arts & Heritage Precinct, the museum and distillery can easily be combined with visits to the Eastern Southland Art Gallery and Maruawai Centre.

For travellers interested in unusual New Zealand history, it adds a distinctly local experience to a Southland itinerary.

Visit the Old Hokonui Moonshine Museum & Distillery website for current visitor information, opening hours and admission details.

Three Gore Attractions, One Arts & Heritage Precinct

One of the advantages of the Gore Arts & Heritage Precinct is the ability to experience several aspects of the town’s identity within one compact area.

Visitors can move between:

Eastern Southland Art Gallery
Discover Gore’s arts and cultural offering.

Maruawai Centre & Gore Visitor Centre
Learn more about Gore’s history while finding information about attractions, activities and places to visit throughout the region.

Old Hokonui Moonshine Museum & Distillery
Uncover the colourful history of Hokonui moonshine and Southland’s illicit whisky-making heritage.

Together, the three properties provide a broader introduction to Gore than any one attraction could offer on its own.

Groups Visiting Gore

The Gore Arts & Heritage Precinct is also worth considering for groups interested in art, heritage and regional history.

With three complementary attractions located close together, the precinct can form part of a wider Gore itinerary for tour groups, clubs, community groups and other organised visitors.

Groups should contact the individual attractions directly to discuss current visiting arrangements and any group requirements.

More Things to Do in Gore

The Arts & Heritage Precinct provides an excellent starting point for visitors exploring Gore, New Zealand.

After discovering the precinct, visitors can spend more time exploring Gore and the surrounding Southland region, combining arts and heritage experiences with the area’s other attractions and activities.

Whether Gore is the main destination or a stop on a wider Southland journey, the precinct provides an opportunity to discover some of the stories, people and culture that have shaped the district.

For more ideas on places to visit throughout the region, explore our Southland Travel Guide.