Plan a Romantic Getaway, Anniversary or Honeymoon to Gore
Gore: the name doesn’t exactly scream “romance” but don’t let that put you off. If you’re looking for a relaxing getaway with your loved one that’s away from the crowds of other South Island towns, then Gore is well worth the trip. With gorgeous parks, native bushwalks, quaint B&B stays and the unique experience of flying in a vintage plane, Gore will surely treat you to something different. Plan your romantic getaway, anniversary or honeymoon with this complete honeymoon guide to Gore.
Honeymoon Activities in Gore
- Wander the Gore Public Gardens and Bannerman Park
- Head to the lush Hokonui Hills from Dolamore Park
- Be inspired at the Eastern Southland Art Gallery
- Learn something new together at the Hokonui Moonshine Museum
- Take flight in a vintage aircraft
- Go ice skating then relax in some hot pools
- Enjoy a date night at the SBS St James Theatre
- Indulge in Southland cuisine at Gore’s restaurants.
For more details on each experience, check out the 8 Romantic Activities in Gore for Couples.
© NZPocketGuide.comRomantic Adventure Activities
Romantic adventures in Gore range from humble ambles to unique aerial adventures! Let’s start with the humble and work up to the more crazy offerings…
A great place to start when visiting Gore with your loved one is with a stroll in its romantic gardens and parks. Gore Public Gardens has beautiful displays whatever the season, whether it’s blooming camellias and magnolias in spring or blossoming roses in summer. See exotic plants year-round in the winter garden and the cute birds in the aviary. If you have time, also go for a romantic stroll in Bannerman Park with more gorgeous flower displays, exotic tree plantings and adorable deer in the paddocks.
If you prefer to see some of the more natural New Zealand, Dolamore Park on the edge of the Croydon Bush Scenic Reserve is a must-do! Escape to the wilderness of the Hokonui Hills with your loved one by exploring the walking trails that begin at Dolamore Park. Walks range from short strolls in the dense native bush awash in mosses, podocarp trees and gentle streams to four-hour hikes to stunning viewpoints. Learn all about them in the 6 Best Walks in Gore.
Now onto the more insane things you can treat your loved one to in Gore; how about flying in a vintage bi-plane from the 1920s or 30s?! That’s right, the Croydon Aviation Heritage Centre offers charter flights of their vintage aircraft on display, particularly their Tiger Moth and their Fox Moth. The Tiger Moth is the aircraft available for most flights, taking only one passenger, while the Fox Moth is a unique opportunity to get you both in the passenger seats.
For more ideas and inspiration, check out the 8 Romantic Activities in Gore for Couples.
© NZPocketGuide.comRomantic All-weather Activities
Whatever the weather, Gore has plenty of activities that will keep the romantic getaway or honeymoon continuing without a hitch. For instance, the inspiring Eastern Southland Art Gallery in the centre of town is a must-do with its thought-provoking artwork from New Zealand and international artists. The carvings from West African and Elcho Island in Australia are some additions that are amazing to see all the way in this random town in New Zealand!
Opposite the Eastern Southland Art Gallery, don’t miss the Hokonui Moonshine Museum and Gore Historical Museum. The former tells the story of Gore’s illicit whisky-making history through interactive displays and static scenes that are impossible not to bond over, whether it’s pretending to have some moonshine a historic pub or giggling at some of the scenes and stories. In the same building, the Gore Historical Museum is a small set-up of Gore’s Maori and pioneering history.
If all else fails, then you can always rely on the Gore Multisports Complex for a date night. There are not many towns in New Zealand where you can enjoy ice skating, so take the opportunity at Gore’s ice rink where public sessions are available on weekends. There’s also an adults skating session on Monday evenings between 7pm and 8pm. After your skating session, change into your togs (swimwear) and dip into the soothing hydrotherapy hot pools of the Gore Aquatic Centre, also in the same complex.
For more all-weather ideas, check out the 10 Things to Do in Gore on a Rainy Day.
© PixabayRomantic Restaurants in Gore
What romantic getaway or honeymoon is complete without indulging the senses together in an exquisite meal?! Couples will find a few hidden gems in and around town when it comes to romantic dining, starting with the Blazing Copper Restaurant of the Heartland Hotel Croydon (100 Waimea Street). Dine in the cosy elegant dining room in winter or alfresco with attractive garden views in summer at this hotel restaurant, which serves steaks to gnocchi to the usual New Zealand crowd-pleasers.
One of the most striking eateries in Gore, Rustic Cafe & Restaurant (38 Irk Street) wows with its, well, “rustic” interiors of exposed brick and timber walls encircling cosy booths or tables with ornate chairs. While the eatery is open for breakfast, lunch and dinner, it’s worth waiting until dinner for their New Zealand lamb shank, pan-fried or grilled salmon and all the meats you could imagine.
Finally, for brunch, lunch or even a quick coffee, we recommend Miss Cocoa (1558 Waimea Highway) located beside the Croydon Aviation Heritage Centre in Mandeville. The stylish cafe serves all the usual suspects but offers one of the more endearing cafe interiors in the Gore area. The cafe also has a gift, fashion and homeware store to browse when you’re done.
Honeymoon Accommodation in Gore
For more details on each accommodation, take a look at the 5 Romantic Accommodation in Gore for Couples.
More About Gore
That’s it for our honeymoon guide to Gore. You can find even more honeymoon tips in The Honeymoon Guide to New Zealand.
