Unmissable Arrowtown

WHERE THE GOLD ONCE FLOWED AND THE AMBIENCE OF YESTERDAY LIVES ON – DON’T MISS THIS LOVELY OLD SETTLEMENT NUDGING THE RIVER. HERE ARE A FEW OF OUR FAVOURITE THINGS.

CHINESE MINERS’ SETTLEMENT

The Arrow River Trail is an easy 50-minute walk sprinkled with a handful of tiny, thatched huts. In the 19th century these were occupied by Chinese miners. Now fully restored, you can duck inside to appreciate their modest size.

OLD-FASHIONED SWEETS

Load up on nostalgic lollies at the Remarkables Sweet Shop. You won’t be able to resist the shelves packed with fudge and gobstoppers. Pop in for a sample and come out with a year’s supply of lemon sherbet!

VINTAGE CINEMA

Dorothy Browns is the town’s retro-inspired cinema and a delightful hangout. Enjoy art house movies while sipping wine. There’s a terrific atmosphere and the film reel is always projecting something wonderful.

GOLD PANNING

Hire a gold pan from the Lakes District Museum and try your luck panning for riches in the river. Lessons are conducted at Dudley Cottage. Afterward, explore the museum’s fantastic displays that detail Arrowtown’s 1860s gold rush. Kids particularly like the ‘spot the odd one out’ game, where modern items are hidden amidst the 19th century artefacts.

ARROWTOWN FARMERS MARKET

This market runs every Sunday over summer. Look out for the Vice Cream truck which offers vegan coconut soft serve, real fruit ice cream, sorbet and a vegan alternative to gelato.

SKI FIELDS

Arrowtown is close to four superb ski areas – Cardrona, Coronet Peak, The Remarkables and Treble Cone. Come winter, the pistes are some of New Zealand’s best.

BUCKINGHAM STREET

In Arrowtown, sleepy Buckingham St is lined by trees and pretty heritage buildings built from stone. They’re all packed with boutique gift shops, cafés and surprising art nooks such as Arrowtown Botanical, a charming florist that doubles as an art gallery for botanical artists.

Arrowtown © Destination Queenstown

PUCKER UP AND LOCK LIPS WITH OVER 80 AWARD-WINNING WINES AND WHISKIES AT ‘THE WINERY’ AT ITS NEW ARROWTOWN LOCATION. TRY A DROP OF SOMETHING SPECIAL FROM BOUTIQUE WINERIES THAT DON’T ALWAYS HAVE THEIR OWN CELLAR DOORS.