Gore District Council

Dolamore Park

Background Information

The Park was named in honour of the Dolamore Family whose gift of £38,000 in 1947 made possible the development of the picnic area and the facilities.

Today Dolamore Park is administered by the Gore District Council, with the Department of Conservation administering the adjoining Croydon Bush Scenic Reserve.

Dolamore Park encompasses 95 hectares of native podocarp forest, expansive lawn areas, and a range of exotic plantings encased by stone wall terracing.  Extensive areas of over 500 mature Rhododendrons make a spectacular show in spring.

Walkways starting from Dolamore Park and leading through Croydon Bush Scenic Reserve offer a range of walk track and trails to suit a wide range of abilities.

Native bird life happily co-exists with the visitors in the Park.  The Kereru (native wood pigeon) of which we boast the best population in the area, are always willing to display their graceful flying ability.  The fantail can be seen in good numbers as well as the Bellbird and the Tui, especially when the Flax, Rata and Kowhai are in flower.  Many other native birds will be discovered when you take time to explore the track network.

Camping

Dolamore Park is your ideal location for a back-to-basics, get away from it all camping experience.

The facilities include: toilets, dumpstation, powerpoints for camper hookup, electric barbeques which operate by $1.00 coin, and also a kitchen block with zip, sink, 3-pin powerpoints and lights. Showers are also available.

The nightly charge for camping is $10.00 per person and children can stay for free.  This is payable at Dolamore Park or by mailing to the Gore District Council, PO Box 8, Gore 9740

Playground

Great fun for the whole family.  The Park has a fantastic playground that includes slides, swings, jungle gyms, rope-climbing wall and even a flying fox.

Flora/Plantlife

The native bush areas surrounding Dolamore Park are made up of a wide variety of native trees forming the largest lowland broadleaf/podocarp forest in Eastern Southland.

Many Kahikateas and Rimu have survived the milling demand of the late 1800s - early 1900s to form the bush canopy.

Amongst the foliage are huge Rimu, Totara and Matai, many over 500 years old.

Fauna/Wildlife

The rousing dawn and dusk bird choruses which are such a feature of the New Zealand bush are a highlight of Dolamore Park.  The Wood Pigeon, Tui, Bellbird and Fantail, to name a few, are also easily seen.

The area is extensively used by local schools for environmental studies.

A brief walk along the Dolamore Track at night will reward you with a bioluminescent display from the resident population of glowworms. Simply walk a few hundred metres along the well-built wooden rampway to view this wonderful sight.

The Waimumu Stream is the home to Brown Trout, Long Finned Eels and also the native Kokopu.  A moderate population of Freshwater Lobsters can be found under the rocks.  Kingfisher, Herons and Black Shag also make regular visits to the stream.

Walkways

Dolamore Park is the gateway to many pleasant easy walking tracks.  They range in length from 10 minutes to 4 hours.  Views of the Mataura Valley are fantastic!

Department of Conservation walking tracks lead through the forest, giving visitors a chance to explore and discover many native plants and wildlife. Take a camera and binoculars, as the view from the top of the Poppelwells Lookout is worth documenting.

These tracks are of good to excellent standards and can be walked most times of the year.  Sturdy footwear is recommended.

View Dolamore Park Walkways Map

Education Centre

Open on request. This focuses on the theme "The forest eco-system has a natural balance, upset by introduced predators". The interactive display is ideal for all ages and will assist in understanding the factors that have impacted on the local native bush since its formation.

Location

Dolamore Park lies in the south-west end of the Croydon Bush Scenic Reserve, on the lower slopes of the Hokonui Hills; 11 kilometres from Gore on a sealed road, sign-posted from SH94 and from Gore.