Arrowtown

A scenic landscape of a valley with colorful autumn trees, a lake, and mountain ranges in the background under a cloudy sky.
A street sign at Wilshire Street and Ramshaw Lane, with a background of fall-colored trees and a small outdoor dining area with umbrellas and people sitting.
A red telephone booth standing in a park with autumn leaves on the ground and trees with yellow and orange foliage in the background.

🌿 About this place

Arrowtown is a historic gold mining village located just outside Queenstown. Founded during the gold rush of the 1860s, it has preserved much of its original character, with small cottages, wooden buildings and a quiet, timeless atmosphere.

The area is also closely connected to early Chinese miners, whose settlement remains an important part of the town’s history. Surrounded by mountains and the Arrow River, it feels like stepping back in time.

Arrowtown

The image shows a building with a sign that reads 'LAKES DISTRICT MUSEUM'. The building has pinkish-red siding with cream-colored trim, a window with a reflection of the sky inside, and a warning sign for an information and booking center. In the background, there are trees with orange and yellow autumn leaves, and part of a light-colored fence and rocks are visible in the foreground.

🛂Arrowtown Lakes District Museum

Vintage post office building with signs reading 'Post and Telegraph' and 'Arrowtown Post Office,' featuring a porch with red mailboxes, outdoor signage, and potted flowers.

🛂Arrowtown Lakes District Museum

Green highway sign indicating a route back to the list of cities, with an arrow pointing straight ahead.

🍂 Walk through Arrowtown in autumn

Street scene with people crossing at a crosswalk under street signs for Buckingham Street, Wanaka, and Holiday Park. Vehicles are parked along the street, and trees with autumn foliage are visible in the background.
A scenic view of a mountain with a grassy top, partially covered in trees, beside a bright gray cloudy sky. Foreground features colorful autumn trees and a cemetery with white crosses and small plants, with sunlight illuminating the scene.

🏘️ Historic main street

The heart of Arrowtown and one of New Zealand's most charming historic streets.

Stroll past beautifully preserved gold rush buildings, boutique shops, local galleries, and cosy cafés. If you're looking for a great meal, The New Orleans Hotel serves one of the best lamb dishes I've had in New Zealand.

While exploring the street, you'll also find the historic Arrowtown Lakes Distric Museum, home of the official Arrowtown stamp and a location where you can purchase your NZ Travel Passport.

Take your time here. Arrowtown isn't a place to rush through.

A white house with a dark red front door decorated with a wreath, surrounded by autumn trees with red and yellow leaves. In the background, there are mountains with colorful fall foliage, and a street sign that reads 'OLD GAOL'.
A street scene in a small town during winter with snow-covered trees and buildings. The road is wet with traffic markings and the sky is cloudy.
The image shows the exterior of the New Orleans Hotel with a mountain covered in autumn trees in the background. People are walking in and out of the hotel, and some are standing near the entrance. There is a car parked on the street.
A red building with a sign reading 'Lakes District Museum' and a window on the upper part. Behind the building, there's a mountain with colorful autumn foliage in the background.

🪙 Gold panning in the Arrow River


Arrowtown was founded during the Otago Gold Rush of the 1860s, when thousands of prospectors arrived hoping to strike it rich along the Arrow River.

Today, you can experience a small piece of that history yourself. The Arrowtown Museum rents gold panning equipment for just $5, allowing visitors to search for real gold flakes in the same river that attracted fortune seekers over 160 years ago.

And if you're lucky enough to find a gold nugget, a local jewellery '“Gold nugget”and souvenir shop nearby can preserve your discovery by sealing it inside glass and transforming it into a unique keepsake, such as a pendant, earrings, or other custom jewellery.

A person holding a black water scoop or net at the edge of a shallow rocky stream, wearing a plaid shirt.
Round glass pendant with gold flakes inside, attached to a gold chain, resting on a dark grey surface.
People standing and wading in a shallow creek or river surrounded by greenery and fallen autumn leaves, with some wearing waterproof boots and holding tools or buckets, possibly participating in a water-based activity or cleanup.

Arrow River walk


One of the best ways to experience Arrowtown is by following the Arrow River Walk.

This easy riverside trail winds through willow trees, historic gold mining sites, and crystal-clear waters, offering beautiful views throughout the year. In autumn, the golden leaves create one of the most photographed scenes in New Zealand.

Along the walk, you'll cross several charming footbridges and pass locations where early gold miners once searched for their fortunes. It's a peaceful escape just a few minutes from Buckingham Street.

A woman sitting on the ground in a grassy field wearing a gray jacket and cycle helmet, smiling at the camera with mountain scenery and a suspension bridge in the background, and a bicycle in the foreground.
A young goat with brown and white fur standing on dirt and grass near a weathered wooden fence, reaching with its head towards a person's hand extended over the fence.
A river flowing through a wooded area with trees on both sides and a hillside in the background.

Chinese Settlement


In the 1860s, Chinese miners were invited to Otago after many European miners had moved on. Despite facing difficult conditions and discrimination, they played a significant role in the region's gold mining industry.

Today, visitors can explore a collection of carefully restored huts and displays that show what life was like for these early settlers. Walking through the settlement is like stepping back in time and discovering a lesser-known part of Arrowtown's story.

Two people walking near small houses in a wooded area with tall green trees and a clear blue sky.
A woman wearing a gray jacket and black pants standing at the entrance of a small, rustic stone and wood cabin in a wooded area with green trees and rocks in the background.

Local cafés and bakeries


Arrowtown Bakery is a local favorite, known for its fresh pies, pastries, sandwiches, and sweet treats. It's the perfect place to grab breakfast or a quick lunch before continuing your adventure.

Small bakery named Arrowtown Bakery, with a snow-covered sidewalk and bushes, a signboard and a window display, snowy street with parked cars and trees in the background.
Menu signs featuring options for butties and pies, with prices and available fillings, and a display case of baked goods including donuts and pastries.

For coffee lovers, Wolf Coffee Roasters is one of the busiest spots in town and a favorite among visitors. Their expertly roasted coffee and welcoming atmosphere make it a great stop while exploring Buckingham Street.

Front view of Wolf Coffee Roasters storefront with a group of people standing outside, and one person taking a photo of the scene.

If you're looking for a café with a more local feel, head to Provisions of Arrowtown. Popular with residents, it's a relaxed spot to enjoy a quality coffee, fresh cabinet food, and a slower pace away from the crowds.

A small, light-colored house with dark trim, a metal roof, and a white picket fence in front, surrounded by trees, with colorful fall foliage on a hillside in the background.

Author's Choice: Feehly Hill Lookout

One of Arrowtown's best-kept secrets is the Feehly Hill Lookout.

Just a short 15-minute walk from the town centre, this viewpoint offers incredible panoramic views over Arrowtown, the Arrow Valley, and the surrounding mountains. On a clear day, you can even see towards the Queenstown basin.

What makes Feehly Hill special is how accessible it is. Unlike many of the region's longer hikes, this short climb rewards you with a spectacular view in very little time.

📸 If you're looking for the best view in Arrowtown without committing to a long hike, this is the spot.

Local Tip: Visit near sunset and watch the golden light hit the mountains surrounding Arrowtown.

🛂Arrowtown Lakes District Museum

Line art illustration of a mountain town with buildings, a streetlight, and plants, accompanied by the text 'Arrowtown' at the bottom.
Illustration of Arrowtown, a historic town with old western-style buildings, lamp posts, and autumn foliage, with mountains in the background and a sign indicating Gold Rush 1862.
Display of New Zealand travel brochures and stickers with images of mountains, lakes, animals, and landmarks, set against a background of a mountain landscape mural.
Entrance of the Lakes District Museum with a large sign saying 'Yes We're Open' and smaller signs with directions and information, surrounded by plants and a stone wall, with a building and fall foliage mountain in the background.