Overview
Arrowtown is a historic gold-mining town from the 1860s Gold Rush, about 20 minutes' drive from Queenstown. Buckingham Street is lined with beautifully preserved 19th-century stone and timber buildings now housing cafes, galleries, and boutique shops. Try gold panning on the Arrow River and visit the Chinese settlement ruins. In autumn (April-May), the town blazes with red and gold foliage — arguably New Zealand's most beautiful autumn scenery. Free entry. About 20 minutes by car from Queenstown.
Opening Hours
Open 24 hours (shop and cafe hours vary)
Travel Tips
Visit in autumn (April-May) for extraordinary fall foliage. Gold panning is great for kids, and pairs well with a walk around Lake Hayes.
Hotels near Arrowtown
Hotels and guesthouses in Queenstown, Arrowtown, Otago
Other attractions in Queenstown
Milford Sound
A breathtaking fjord in Fiordland National Park, carved by glaciers and lined with cascading waterfalls.
Skyline Gondola
A gondola ride to a viewpoint with sweeping vistas of Queenstown and Lake Wakatipu.
Kawarau Bungy
The world's first commercial bungy site, where you leap 43 m off a historic bridge into the river.
Lake Wakatipu
An S-shaped glacial lake wrapping around Queenstown — New Zealand's longest lake.
Glenorchy
A village famous as a Lord of the Rings filming location, surrounded by heavenly landscapes.
Queenstown Gardens
A beautiful park on a Lake Wakatipu peninsula, perfect for walks and disc golf.
The Remarkables Ski Field
One of the South Island's top ski resorts, with Queenstown as its stunning backdrop.