Arrowtown Travel Guide

Tourist Guide

Arrowtown featuring street scenes and a small town or village
Arrowtown
Arrowtown
Arrowtown
Arrowtown

Just a short drive from Queenstown, you can strike gold by visiting this picturesque old mining town.

Taking its name from the Arrow River upon which it was built and from which it made its fortune, Arrowtown is a historic settlement, home to the gold mines that once made the region boom.

Over the last century, the town declined and its population fell to as few as 200 inhabitants. Today, it attracts visitors who want to know more about the history of the area, as well as to enjoy the many scenic hiking and cycling trails on offer.

a highlight of your visit has to be panning for gold in the river itself. This is a real treat for both children and adults. There’s something exciting about looking for real treasure! It may be many years since most of the gold in this part of the world was mined, but it is still a popular attraction for visitors who flock here. There’s plenty more to explore in the township, including the Chinese settlement and the Lakes District Museum, where you can learn more about the conditions of the original settlers and the history of the gold rush.

As well as the attractions in town, the surrounding area contains some excellent trails for hikers and mountain bikers. Bikes can be hired in town. Head off on an adventure along one of the many trails. There are trails suitable for all levels of ability, from novice voyagers to more experienced cyclists.

Stroll along the river for more scenic views. The landscape here is straight out of the ‘Lord of the Rings’ trilogy, much of which was shot here.

Only a 20 minute drive away from Queenstown itself, you can reach Arrowtown easily by car or on a charter bus. If you do choose to drive, free parking is widely available, although spaces around the main street through town are quickly snapped up.

Millbrook Resort
Millbrook Resort
5 out of 5
1124 Malaghans Road, Arrowtown
The price is NZ$550 per night from 14 July to 15 July
NZ$550
14 July - 15 July
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this 5-star luxury hotel in Arrowtown. Enjoy free WiFi, free parking, and a full-service spa. Popular attractions Coronet Peak Ski Area and Millbrook ...
9.6/10 Exceptional! (717 reviews)
"Very good for a family of 4"

Reviewed on 5 Jul. 2025

Millbrook Resort
Hampshire Holiday Parks - Arrowtown
Hampshire Holiday Parks - Arrowtown
2 out of 5
12B Centennial Avenue, Arrowtown
Book a stay at this golf hotel in Arrowtown. Enjoy free WiFi, free parking, and laundry facilities. Popular attractions Coronet Peak Ski Area and Tobins Track ...
8.8/10 Excellent! (37 reviews)
"Beautiful location and very friendly people, highly recommended"

Reviewed on 17 Jun. 2025

Hampshire Holiday Parks - Arrowtown
Arrowtown Motel Apartments
Arrowtown Motel Apartments
4.5 out of 5
48 Adamson Drive, Arrowtown
The price is NZ$147 per night from 11 Aug to 12 Aug
NZ$147
11 Aug - 12 Aug
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this 4.5-star eco-certified motel in Arrowtown. Enjoy free WiFi, free parking, and daily housekeeping. Our guests praise the helpful staff in our reviews. ...
9.4/10 Exceptional! (466 reviews)
"100. %"

Reviewed on 21 Jun. 2025

Arrowtown Motel Apartments
Lowest nightly price found within the past 24 hours based on a 1 night stay for 2 adults. Prices and availability subject to change. Additional terms may apply.
Arrowfield Apartments
Arrowfield Apartments
4.5 out of 5
115 Essex Avenue, Butel Park, Arrowtown
Stay at this 4.5-star luxury aparthotel in Arrowtown. Enjoy free WiFi, free parking, and a 24-hour fitness center. Popular attractions Coronet Peak Ski Area ...
9.6/10 Exceptional! (107 reviews)
"Easy, seamless check-in with top communication. Spacious, modern accommodation for family with teen children. Great base for skiing and exploring the great walking trails in the Queenstown area. Easy walk to some amazing arrow town restaurants."

Reviewed on 8 Jul. 2025

Arrowfield Apartments
Swiss-Belsuites Pounamu Queenstown
Swiss-Belsuites Pounamu Queenstown
5 out of 5
110 Frankton Road, Queenstown
Stay at this 5-star luxury aparthotel in Queenstown. Enjoy free WiFi, breakfast (surcharge), and parking (surcharge). Our guests praise the helpful staff and ...
8.4/10 Very Good! (1,360 reviews)
"Very nice property with everything you need close to town."

Reviewed on 10 Jul. 2025

Swiss-Belsuites Pounamu Queenstown
La Quinta by Wyndham Remarkables Park Queenstown
La Quinta by Wyndham Remarkables Park Queenstown
4 out of 5
16 - 18 Mountain Ash Drive, Remarkables Park, Queenstown
Stay at this 4-star ski aparthotel in Queenstown. Enjoy free WiFi, a 24-hour fitness center, and a ski shuttle (surcharge). Our guests praise the helpful staff ...
8.8/10 Excellent! (1,250 reviews)
"Friendly staff, comfy bed. Clean and modern . Daily housekeeping."

Reviewed on 10 Jul. 2025

La Quinta by Wyndham Remarkables Park Queenstown
Lowest nightly price found within the past 24 hours based on a 1 night stay for 2 adults. Prices and availability subject to change. Additional terms may apply.

Popular places to visit

Activities

Reviews of Arrowtown

4.7
Top destination
5 - Excellent
80
5 - Excellent 78%
4 - Good
19
4 - Good 19%
3 - Okay
2
3 - Okay 2%
2 - Disappointing
1
2 - Disappointing 1%
1 - Terrible
0
1 - Terrible 0%

5/5 - Excellent

Verified traveller

Beautiful

5/5 - Excellent

Anon

Lots of great places to eat.

5/5 - Excellent

Verified traveller

Historical and pretty with lots of walks great places to eat and shopping. One of my favourite places

5/5 - Excellent

Verified traveller

Public bus service was convenient to get to AMISFIELD winery which was an amazing experience. 

5/5 - Excellent

Verified traveller

I loved the visible history of the town. It was also full of flowers and trees. It looks like every resident is proud to live there. Everyone has a beautiful garden.

4/5 - Good

Francis

Quite a rustic town with a feel of the late 1800s with heritage buildings and set up, but overall, it is quite a small town that is good for 1/2 to 1 day stay (Stopover location). The eateries are nice.

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