Arrowtown

Overview

Arrowtown is a beautifully preserved gold mining village set on the banks of the Arrow River, 20 minutes' drive from Queenstown. Its tree-lined main street of restored 1860s stone cottages is particularly stunning during the autumn festival, when the surrounding hills blaze with gold and red.

Highlights

• Buckingham Street: The immaculately preserved main street lined with heritage stone and timber buildings housing boutiques, galleries, and cafés.
• Chinese Settlement: Restored huts of the 1860s Chinese gold miners, telling the often-overlooked story of their harsh conditions and discrimination.
• Arrow River Gold Panning: Hire a gold pan and try your luck in the Arrow River — small flakes of gold are still regularly found.

History

Founded in 1862 when William Fox discovered gold in the Arrow River, the town boomed as thousands of miners arrived. At its peak, it had a population of 7,000. When the gold ran out, the population dropped to a few hundred, preserving its heritage streetscape almost by accident.

Visitor Tips

• Autumn Festival: Visit in late April for the annual Arrowtown Autumn Festival when the deciduous trees turn spectacular colours.
• Lakes District Museum: Well-curated local museum covering gold rush history and Maori heritage.
• Duration: 2–3 hours.