This former gold rush settlement in the Wakatipu Basin has kept its 1860s architecture and mining history. Visitors can walk tree-lined streets, explore shops, or hike nearby mountain trails.
Twenty minutes from Queenstown, Arrowtown's Buckingham Street looks much like it did in the 1860s, with colonial stone buildings and miners' cottages now filled with cafes and craft shops. You can rent gold panning equipment at the Lakes District Museum and try your luck in the Arrow River, or walk through the Chinese settlement where immigrant miners lived until the early 1900s. The surrounding peaks of the Crown Range create walking and cycling routes, while European sycamores and oaks line the streets, turning red and gold each autumn.
Arrow River Trail
The Arrow River Trail forms a 4.2-kilometer loop that takes about an hour to complete. The path follows both sides of the river, crossing five bridges and passing through willow groves. Stop at the designated gold panning areas near the third bridge - you can rent panning equipment from the Lakes District Museum for $10. The trail connects to the 110-kilometer Queenstown Trail network.
Chinese Settlement
Chinese miners built their community by the Arrow River in 1869 after facing discrimination from European settlers. You can walk through the remaining stone huts and wooden buildings, reading signs that detail their daily life, traditional vegetable gardens, and social customs. The site includes former living quarters, stores, and meeting places used until the early 1900s.
Buckingham Street
Buckingham Street runs through central Arrowtown with over 60 original buildings from the 1860s gold rush period. Start at the commercial buildings near the museum and walk toward the smaller miners' cottages at the eastern end. The Lakes District Museum spans three historic buildings, including an 1875 bakery where you can see the original brick oven. The exhibits cover Māori history, European settlement, and mining techniques.
Seasonal Activities
In April and May, the town's sycamores, elms, oaks, and ash trees turn orange and gold. The Akarua Arrowtown Autumn Festival runs in late April with street parades and outdoor concerts. In winter, you can stay in Arrowtown to access four ski areas between 20 and 60 minutes away. The Arrow River Bridges bike trail runs for 8.7 kilometers on flat terrain suitable for beginners and families.
Getting to Arrowtown
Blue route #2 buses run regularly from Queenstown to Arrowtown via Arthurs Point. By car, follow State Highway 6 and turn off at the Arrowtown junction - the drive takes about 20 minutes from Queenstown's center. The town sits 7.5 kilometers from the highway turnoff.
