Things To Do Arrowtown

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Places To Visit In Arrowtown

Arrow River

The Arrow River is a small, icy river located in New Zealand’s South Island. Arrowtown, which is rich in heritage and natural beauty is on the western side of the river. If you want to get away from the hustle and bustle of Queenstown, Arrow River is a great place and just a 45 minute’s drive away from Queenstown. The river is famous because of its gold deposits and the discovery led to many miners entering the district. This led to the formation of various settlements and Arrowtown was formed. There is parking on both ends of the Arrow River Bridges which also have good vantage points. The river was first called Haihainui by the Maori which translates to ‘big scratches’ resembling the many brambles along the banks. This is also the location of many important scenes from The Lord of the Rings trilogy. A popular activity is going panning for gold for those who want to invest time and money. You can rent a pan and shovel from Lake District Museum and can even pick up a ‘How to’ manual. There is a rough trail following the river upstream which is popular among motor cross enthusiasts and 4WD. There are also walking trails for those interested in walking and tramping. Read More

Arrowtown has a fairly sized Chinese settlement which is known as the ‘Gold Rush Town’. This settlement came into existence in the 1860s, during the Otago Gold Rush era that marked a completely different and a historical era in the history of New Zealand. This township is said to have around 5,000 Chinese workers who worked at the gold mines of the era. Visitors must take a tour of the settlement on foot to get a genuine experience and knowledge of the history and lifestyle of this particular town. There are a lot of huts and plaques and it is permitted to enter the huts to get a first hand look at the homes of the mining workers. A half an hour walk to the Miners Monument built in the memory of the miners is a must while in the town. Decent accommodations can easily be found in the town like the Settlers Cottage Motel, Arrowtown Motel among a few others. Read More

Arrowtown is a small historic town located in New Zealand’s South Island and is known for its calm atmosphere and colonial architecture. The town is only a 45-minute’s drive from Queenstown and will transport you to the gold rush era of the 1800s. Thousands of miners from all over flocked here to make their fortune. You can visit the gold bearing Arrowtown River here and there are still traces of gold found in the waterways. Gold panning is a popular activity here and there are several places where you can hire shovels and pans and they can also show you how it's done. Arrowtown feels like a place stuck in time with its main streets with historic miner’s cottages, shops and homes from the gold rush era. There is a monument at the river with an X spot marking where gold was first found. There is a Chinese settlement at the edge of the river and it was formed when the Chinese were invited to re-stimulate the gold mining business. You can also enjoy spectacular scenery and mountain views, especially in autumn. Read More

The highest point in New Zealand, Arrowtown village is perfectly situated by the Banks Peninsula and is world famous for its historical architecture, scenic location and peaceful ambience. The town has one of the most fertile soils in the world owing to the nutritious volcanic ash resulting in rich vegetation and diverse wildlife which attracts tourists from all over the world. Arrowtown village provides a bird’s eye view of the surrounding mountains and the Pacific Ocean, making it an ideal destination for photographers. Visitors must revisit the interesting history of the region at the Lake District Museum & Art Gallery showcasing the Maori culture, the European settlement, the Chinese settlement and the gold rush era of the 1800s. April is the most happening month of Arrowtown as the famous Arrowtown Autumn Festival takes place for 5 consecutive days during the period. Various events like an Art Exhibition, the ASB Market Day, Fun Dog Show and some exciting game shows are held to joyfully engage the public. Arrowtown has some rugged trails for trekkers where visitors can deeply explore the area on their own or during guided tours. The village has ample accommodation options, bars, restaurants and eateries so that tourists can explore the area at their own pace. Read More

Chard Farm is beautifully located overlooking the Kawarau River Gorge. Just 20 miles, the farm is quite reachable from Queenstown as well. The farm dates back to 1860, originally being a regular farm producing food for the mining workers of the district in the late 19th century, while a vineyard was fully grown in the late 1980s, and the winery was set up in 1993. The farm is open for a soulful wine tasting experience on all seven days of the week. The farm is known to produce the premium range of Pinor Noir and also produces the native Pinot Gris, Riseling, Chardonnay, Sauvignon Blanc and Gewurztraminer. The cellar door welcomes the wine tasters with a spectacular view of the Kawarau River Gorge and the colourful mountains. Wine tasting is free for those who purchase some wine, and if someone doesn’t want to purchase it, the hosts request them to make a small donation to the local hospital. Although there is no restaurant or café on the premises, some dining options around the farm, like the Gibbston Valley Winery Restaurant and the Gibbston Valley Cheesery & Deli, are available within 2 miles of the farm. Read More

Crown Range Road

Crown Range Road is the highest main road in New Zealand, the highest point of it standing at a height of 1121 metres from sea level. This road is a stretch of 69 kilometres between the towns of Wanaka and Queensland offering some breath-taking views of the beautiful South Island. Visitors can also enjoy a beautiful view of the Arrowtown village and the Remarkables Range. This stretch is an alternate route between the two towns, the other one is through Cromwell which is longer but takes less time. The Crown Range is shorter but due to its difficult conditions, the travel time increases. The road consists of 7 hairpin bends and many turns unfolding a new scenery for the eyes to relish. The road consists of multiple view points for the visitors to pause for a while and enjoy beautiful views of the green valleys extending up to the horizons. It is advisable to visit the range in the summers in order to enjoy the best views during pleasantweather. In winters, due to the temperature drops to the negatives, the range is mostly filled with snow and vehicles are not allowed to enter the road without snow chains. Tourists can also find a couple of lodges around the Cardona Valley in case they wish to stay overnight. Read More

The Lake District Museum dates its establishment in 1948 to mark a century of the Otago project. The museum showcases an authentic impression of early Maori life, the European settlements and the gold mining era. in the region. Spread across three buildings, the museum has an art gallery for display, historical archives, a bookshop, a research facility, and an education program. The art gallery has on display a wide variety of art and an array of exhibitions showcasing numerous historical events of the region. The bookshop cum information centre has books on social history, local history, fiction, photography, etc. One can also find gift cards, postcards, calendars and souvenirs to purchase. Assistance with planning cycle rides, walks, and booking accommodation in the town is also provided by the museum staff. The computerised research facility provides archives of newspapers dating back to 1885, major directories, registers, cemetery records, rare photographs and records of over 400 Wakatipu families. But one would need a prior appointment for access to the research centre. Read More

The Sawpit Gully Trail is a beautiful trail loop measuring 7.7 km located at Butler’s Green in the Arrowtown Village. It is a favourite walking destination for many natives and tourists visiting the South Island. The trail is a complete package consisting of a picturesque track, steep slopes, and the visitors even have to cross a few streams on their way. The trek starts very conveniently from the car park near the Chinese Settlement. The summit can be taken up clockwise as well as the other way round. Starting it anticlockwise makes the track a little easier with the slopes being less steep while going up. The trek is very scenic and moves along the Arrow River at a few places. Upon approaching the Sawpit Gully, visitors can also click pictures of some remains of the gold mining era in the form of miner’s cottage and piles of mining stones. After a good hike, the view of Lake Hayes from atop the trail gives a soothing sensation to the eyes. It is advisable to carry some light snacks and abundant drinking water as there are no eateries or kiosks throughout the trail but ensure not to throw any waste anywhere along the track. Read More

An hour-long track for walking and biking, the Tobins Track starts from the bottom of Ford Street. Visitors can park their car in the car park adjacent to Ford Street and start walking after crossing a short bridge over the Arrow River. On the way up the hill, a brief pause to check out the cottage of Thomas Tobin, who founded this track to be primarily used to link Arrowtown to Wanaka, is a must. A way to the New Chum Track can also be seen halfway through the track. After a short trek, arrive at the top of the hill and be treated to magnificent views of Arrowtown, Queenstown, the Crown Ranges, the lovely Arrow River and the beautiful basin of Wakatipu. Two benches are also installed on the top of the hill by the Stevenson family for hikers to catch their breath and enjoy the beautiful views of the surrounding villages and blue mountains. Some lucky visitors can get a chance to a mountain biking championship or triathlon during the end of summer. Read More