Hokonui Moonshine Museum
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Temporarily closed until further notice

Hokonui Moonshine Museum

Hokonui Moonshine Museum
4.5
Speciality MuseumsHistory Museums
This location was reported permanently closed
About
To reduce the risk of Covid-19 and due to planned renovation, the Eastern Southland Gallery is closed temporarily. A trip to the Illicit Past... Gore’s colourful past as a centre for illicit whisky distilling and bootlegging is brought to life at the Hokonui Moonshine Museum. The adventures of the Scottish settlers and their exploits to avoid run-ins with the law are kept alive through dioramas, audio-visuals and artefacts. You can taste Old Hokonui made to the original recipe at the end of your visit, or even take a bottle home with you.
Duration: 1-2 hours
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4.5
4.5 of 5 bubbles64 reviews
Excellent
36
Very good
23
Average
4
Poor
0
Terrible
1

James M
8 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Sept 2024 • Couples
Unexpectedly amazing. Now ran by the information centre I believe we stumbled across this while on our way to te Anau, this place was so cool. Knowing nothing about moonshine itself we went in completely blind and just reading some of the stories it was a great way to kill some time and have a break from driving. The staff were super friendly and you even get something special at the end
Written 25 September 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Takapuna
Albany, New Zealand441 contributions
4.0 of 5 bubbles
Oct 2020 • Couples
We visited this museum with a group - a pity it was under renovation at the time - nevertheless we viewed a couple of displays and enjoyed a wee dram of whiskey. It is going to be great once all the reno’s are completed. Definitely worth a visit.
Written 11 November 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Mhumble819
Olympia, WA20 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Mar 2020 • Couples
What a unique and interesting place! Granted, my husband and I had low expectations, but the Moonshine Museum was so fascinating. Everything is so well done. Wonderful artwork, fantastic research, staged so well. Starts with a very informative video, then you continue your visit by reading the background and diary style entries. Dioramas were super, as was the “timeline you travel through. Once you are finished with the Moonshine Museum, you flow over into the history of Gore museum. Finishing with a small sample of the moonshine was fun. People who work there are knowledgeable, helpful, and very friendly. This definitely worth a visit!
Written 16 March 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Thank you for the great feedback! On behalf of the team and myself, we're happy to hear that you enjoyed your visit. We hope to see you again soon.
Written 17 March 2020
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.

Mike T
Melbourne, Australia39 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Feb 2020
You must visit this if you are at Gore, because it is unique: I never saw anything like this. Apparently, the area was a THE place for moonshine back when and it is fascinating to learn about. You’d need an hour or less to view it - and you can buy some ‘moonshine’ if you wish. Terrific!
Written 18 February 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Thank you for the great feedback! On behalf of the team and myself, we're happy to hear that you enjoyed your visit. We hope to see you again soon.
Written 19 February 2020
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.

Chris P
Hamilton, New Zealand30 contributions
4.0 of 5 bubbles
May 2017
We just went into info centre to ask for directions and as you do on holiday got side tracked to the little museum. My husband tried a sample of moonshine whisky and I tried the liqueur. Needless to say my husband had to take a bottle away. The info centre is licensed by the way.
Written 30 May 2017
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Hi Gardenl0ver31, We hope the you enjoyed your 'sidetrack' experience! You won't find the unique, Old Hokonui Moonshine anywhere else, so it's great to bought some to savor later :) GoreNZ
Written 7 June 2017
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.

Aunty126
wanganui84 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
May 2018 • Family
Well worth stopping here, they have done the museum to an excellent standard and it is really interesting to read all about prohibition. You also get to try the moonshine if you are game.
Written 3 June 2018
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Thank you very much for your review of the museum, we were glad to hear that you enjoyed it and appreciate your kind words.
Written 4 June 2018
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.

MaryInvercargill
Invercargill29 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Jan 2012
Family & local history - very rich heritage and we could have spent hours and hours there - hope to return againI
Written 17 May 2012
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Leanne J
10 contributions
4.0 of 5 bubbles
Jan 2020
Interesting place to fill in some time. Tasting the Moonshine was a hoot :-) Cheap entry fee as well which was a bonus. I recommend calling in for a visit
Written 12 February 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Thank you for the great feedback! On behalf of the team and myself, we're happy to hear that you enjoyed your visit. We hope to see you again soon.
Written 19 February 2020
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.

Joel T
Durham, NC60 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Nov 2019
This was a surprise place on a tour. If you're in the area, I highly recommend it. A good history of the prohibition movement from Cook's voyages to present. The Scots have a lot to take credit for in the making a illegal whisky. The movie they have is heavy on accents and not that great, but the rest of the museum is fun. An hour should be sufficient. OK for kids if the adults provide good humored commentary. Samples of the local brews are avaiable
Written 17 November 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Thank you for the great feedback! On behalf of the team and myself, we're happy to hear that you enjoyed your visit. We hope to see you again soon.
Written 19 February 2020
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.

Mary M
Robinvale, Australia200 contributions
4.0 of 5 bubbles
Mar 2019 • Friends
This museum is very informative and well presented. Reading the history was very interesting. The samples of whisky were quite nice to drink. Well worth a visit in Gore.
Written 13 March 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Thank you for your kind feedback.
Written 18 August 2019
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.

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HOKONUI MOONSHINE MUSEUM (2025) All You Need to Know BEFORE You Go (with Photos)

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