Arrowtown is the perfect antidote to Queenstown’s adrenaline. In 1862 Jack Tewa found gold in the Arrow River, sparking the Central Otago gold rush, and the little town that grew up on the riverbank has kept its character remarkably well. Buckingham Street is lined with miners’ cottages from the 1860s and an avenue of deciduous trees planted in 1867, which turn gold and red in April. Two minutes’ walk from the main street, beside the river, is the Arrowtown Chinese Settlement, where Chinese miners who began arriving in 1869 built their own village of huts, stores and gardens; several huts and Ah Lum’s store have been restored, and the site is cared for by the Department of Conservation. The Lakes District Museum tells the story of the gold fields and the settlers, and you can hire a gold pan there and try your luck in the Arrow River. Today the town is also known for its cafés, bakeries and boutique shopping. This page links to Destination Queenstown’s guide to Arrowtown’s heritage activities.
How to visit: Arrowtown is a short drive north-east of Queenstown, around twenty to thirty minutes depending on your route, and the Orbus blue route runs between Arthurs Point and Arrowtown for a small fare with a Bee Card. Strolling the town, the Chinese settlement and the riverside walks costs nothing; the Lakes District Museum charges a modest entry fee, and gold pan hire is extra.
What to expect: the self-guided Arrowtown Heritage Town Centre Walk takes in the main historic buildings and is best given a couple of hours. The Arrowtown Millennium Walk is a 4.2-kilometre loop along the river from Ramshaw Lane that takes about an hour and glows with golden trees in autumn. The Chinese settlement has interpretation panels that tell the hard story of the miners who lived here.
Making the most of it: arrive in the morning, walk the heritage trail and the Chinese settlement, try gold panning, then linger over lunch. Autumn, especially April, is the most beautiful time, but the town is lovely all year. Combine Arrowtown with the Kawarau Bridge bungy or the Gibbston wineries, which lie a short drive away.
What to expect
The experience
A free self-guided wander through a gold-rush village, its restored Chinese miners’ settlement and riverside walks, with an optional museum visit and gold panning.
Best time
A weekday morning, and above all in April, when the avenue trees turn gold and red.
How long
Half a day, including lunch and the Millennium Walk.
Tips
Start at the Chinese settlement before the crowds, hire a gold pan at the Lakes District Museum, and use the Orbus blue route if you are not driving.
Quick picks
- Best for
- Travellers who want history, cafés and a slower pace after a few adventurous days.
- Families
- Gold panning in the Arrow River is a hit with children, and the walks are short and flat.
- Couples
- A long lunch in a historic cottage café and a riverside stroll among the autumn trees.
- Pair with
- The Kawarau Bridge bungy or the Gibbston wineries, both a short drive away.
- Time needed
- Half a day.
Good questions
How do I get from Queenstown to Arrowtown?+
Drive for around twenty to thirty minutes, or take the Orbus blue route, which links Arthurs Point and Arrowtown for a small fare with a Bee Card. Organised tours also stop there.
Is the Arrowtown Chinese Settlement free?+
The settlement is an open historic site cared for by the Department of Conservation, two minutes’ walk from the main street. You can wander the restored huts and Ah Lum’s store at your own pace.
Can you pan for gold in Arrowtown?+
Yes, you can hire a gold pan at the Lakes District Museum and try your luck in the Arrow River. It is a favourite activity for families.
When is the best time to visit Arrowtown?+
Autumn, especially April, is famous for the golden and red avenue trees on Buckingham Street. The town is pleasant to visit in every season.
What walks are there in Arrowtown?+
The self-guided Heritage Town Centre Walk covers the historic buildings, and the 4.2-kilometre Millennium Walk loops along the river in about an hour. Both start in the centre of town.