Racist rants, drunken arguments and long-winded stories about shooting people during the war.

The southern welcome might not be so warm if you're planning on checking in at the Gore Motor Camp, but the town's council is taking action to improve hospitality at the park-like surroundings in the middle of town.

The campground, which is owned by the Gore District Council and leased to manager Lyndon Copland, only has nine reviews on TripAdvisor, and six of them have rated it as terrible.

Gore District Council chief executive Steve Parry said council was aware of the TripAdvisor reviews and some were "very concerning".

"We're engaged in dialogue with the lessee and seeing if we can rectify the situation.

"Obviously when you're putting as much effort as we are into encouraging people to come here, you have to have all of your shop windows in pristine condition and that's one that hasn't been, unfortunately. We need every shop window to be on the same page and so we're taking some action in that area."

TripAdvisor The facilities are described as nice, the owner not so much.

However, Copland says TripAdvisor is "run by the mafia", the reviews may not have been meant for his business, and he's taking legal action against one reviewer, who he said had "an ego the size of a bouncy castle".

When asked whether he had been drunk or made racist remarks to visitors, Copland replied: "I think it's all bullshit.

"Give me about a week and I'm going to respond to all of them. It's all just bullshit."

Copland has responded to two of the reviews already.

One reviewer left the campground and stayed at a motel in May 2018 after being met by a man who "seemed determined to get into an argument" and spoke about his family and financial problems.

When they asked for the key for the cabin they were told to "get the f#$k out I'm not renting you a cabin," their review says.

In response, Copland said the reviewer was never at the camp ground but they were "issued with a trespass notice by the Police in December 2017".

TripAdvisor A reviewer from the US says the owner made racially charged comments.

"This is just retaliation and very childish. One thing you have achieved though is that you've managed to insult the intelligence of anyone who reads this hogwash so you can at least feel good about yourself for a couple of seconds."

Another reviewer from February 2018 said they "hoped to spend a few nights in Gore but we found the owner of this motor camp so angry and confrontational, we decided to bypass the town and carried on our travels".

In his response, Copland alleged the reviewer did a donut on the lawn in a campervan, and he reported them to their rental company for dangerous driving.

"Boy racer showing off to his partner. You've just been awarded Dipstick Of The Year for 2018 so well done. If you're ever back in Gore come and collect your prize... we don't do trophys. Yes I know 2018 is still only halfway through but we feel sure no one will be able to eclipse your effort of stupidity so we've decided to hand out the award early." (sic)

One review from a traveller from North Carolina in December 2017 said "the owner was extremely ignorant and made several racially charged comments about members of our group".

A fourth review, called "Disgusting Rude Old Man Owner" from June 2017 says "we payed [sic] for one night at first and the man spoke to my boyfriend for nearly an hour about shooting people in the war - very weird and graphic from a complete stranger".

TripAdvisor TripAdvisor reviewers say they have left Gore because out the owner's behaviour.

The following morning the same man approached them and accused them of making a mess in the kitchen, which they said they had not used, and told the reviewer "we may as well be German" because they were "so dirty".



"A racist and downright insane tirade followed and he told us to 'get going and take all your rubbish with you'. We left immediately.

"This place has potential to be lovely - the racist owner is unfortunately scaring away any customers. We will never be returning not only to here but to Gore as well."

However, two reviewers enjoyed their stay, with one review from November 2016 calling the campground a "paradise in the midst of town," and commenting "these people will make you feel so welcome!"

Copland said he had not spoken to the council about the reviews.

Rachael Kelly/Stuff Several TripAdvisor members have rated the Gore Motor Camp as 'poor.'

Rachael Kelly/Stuff Some TripAdvisor reviewers have left bad reviews about the Gore Motor Camp.