Arrowtown

A gold-rush town dating from 1862 and New Zealand’s best-preserved historic mining settlement. In autumn the streets glow gold with European trees, and the restored Chinese Settlement is a major highlight.

Arrowtown is about 20 km from Queenstown, roughly 25 minutes by car, and bus route 2 also serves it. It is New Zealand’s best-preserved gold-mining town. Buckingham Street, the main street, has more than 60 buildings from the 19th century, now home to cafés, craft shops and ice-cream parlors. Each year in mid-to-late April, the poplars and plane trees along the street and the banks of the Arrow River turn gold, making it the most famous autumn scene in the South Island. There are parades and markets during the autumn festival. At the west end of town, on the Arrow River, is the Chinese Settlement, a free site with reconstructed stone huts where Chinese miners lived in the 1870s. It is especially meaningful for Chinese visitors. The Lakes District Museum (adults NZD 15) covers gold-rush history, and you can rent gold pans to try your luck in the river. The Arrow River trail follows the river for 1–3 hours and leads to the “Ford of Bruinen” filming location from The Lord of the Rings. Nearby, the 8 km loop around Lake Hayes is especially beautiful in autumn for its reflections, and the Millbrook resort has a golf course. Suggested plan for a half day: stroll the streets and take photos in the morning, have lunch at The Chop Shop or Provisions, and walk the riverside trail in the afternoon. Parking is tight on weekends and during the autumn season, so arrive early.

Arrowtown

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Nearby sights

Places to eat nearby