Arrowtown

Travel Guide

Arrowtown featuring street scenes and a small town or village
Arrowtown
Arrowtown
Arrowtown
Arrowtown
This historic mining town is a great day trip from Queenstown, and gives visitors the chance to strike gold.

Arrowtown owes a lot to the river it was built on, for the Arrow River gave the town both its name and its fortune. Arrowtown is a historic former gold-mining settlement located just 20 minutes from Queenstown. Despite its population falling to less than 200 people during the 20th century, the tourism boom in the region helped restore Arrowtown to its former glory. Today, the town attracts visitors wanting to learn about the early settlers of the region, and hikers and cyclists who come to use some of the best trails in the area.
 
Pan for gold in the Arrow River, an exciting activity for children and adults alike. While most of the gold has long been mined from the region, panning remains a popular activity for visitors to Arrowtown. Walk through the restored original buildings of the township to understand how the original settlers once lived. Make your way towards the buildings closest to the river to see the fascinating Chinese settlement. Visit the Lakes District Museum to learn about the history of the gold-rush town and the South Island’s lakes district.
 
Arrowtown marks the beginning of some of the region’s best mountain biking and hiking trails, and you can rent a bike from one of the stores in town. The trails vary in difficulty pick up a map indicating the suggested experience level when you get your bike.
 
Take a short walk along the river from the town to discover a vista used in the filming of the Lord of the Rings trilogy. The scene depicting the “Ford of Bruinen” was filmed here, and the region contains much of the imagery used through the films.
 
Arrowtown can be reached by car or charter bus and is about 20 minutes’ drive from Queenstown. There is ample free parking, although spots near the main street can fill quickly

Millbrook Resort
Millbrook Resort
5 out of 5
1124 Malaghans Road, Arrowtown
The price is ¥36,391 per night from Jun 23 to Jun 24
¥36,391
¥41,850 total
Jun 23 - Jun 24
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this 5-star luxury hotel in Arrowtown. Enjoy free WiFi, free parking, and a full-service spa. Popular attractions Millbrook Resort Golf Course and Lakes ...
9.6/10 Exceptional! (716 reviews)
"It’s always been on my goal list to stay here - everything was lovely the yoga spa pool property and amazing staff - but the rooms were tired cold and no under floor heating in the bathrooms - I’ve visited Millbrock so many times and it was so nice to have a vacation over the hill but for the price ..."

Reviewed on Jun 3, 2025

Millbrook Resort
Hampshire Holiday Parks - Arrowtown
Hampshire Holiday Parks - Arrowtown
2 out of 5
12B Centennial Avenue, Arrowtown
The price is ¥12,287 per night from Jun 23 to Jun 24
¥12,287
¥14,377 total
Jun 23 - Jun 24
includes taxes & fees
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 Jun 17, 2025

Hampshire Holiday Parks - Arrowtown
Arrowtown Motel Apartments
Arrowtown Motel Apartments
4.5 out of 5
48 Adamson Drive, Arrowtown
Fully refundable
The price is ¥15,353 per night from Jun 29 to Jun 30
¥15,353
¥18,449 total
Jun 29 - Jun 30
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! (465 reviews)
"Great location"

Reviewed on May 19, 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! (105 reviews)
"Quiet location. Spacious and comfortable apartment. Thoroughly enjoyed our visit to Ayrburn which is very close"

Reviewed on May 24, 2025

Arrowfield Apartments
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! (1,244 reviews)
"Clean"

Reviewed on Jun 19, 2025

La Quinta by Wyndham Remarkables Park Queenstown
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! (1,353 reviews)
"Nice unit, spacious and well appointed."

Reviewed on Jun 19, 2025

Swiss-Belsuites Pounamu 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

Things to do

Reviews of Arrowtown

4.7
Top Destination
5 - Excellent
16
5 - Excellent 70%
4 - Good
7
4 - Good 30%
3 - Okay
0
3 - Okay 0%
2 - Disappointing
0
2 - Disappointing 0%
1 - Terrible
0
1 - Terrible 0%

5/5 - Excellent

Verified traveler

Beautiful quaint town. It’s quite touristy but no surprise given its charm, numerous fantastic restaurants and variety of small shops. We were sorry we didn’t get to the Farmers Market offered on Saturday.

5/5 - Excellent

Verified traveler

Always love it there

5/5 - Excellent

Verified traveler

Could have spent more time here.

5/5 - Excellent

Verified traveler

A great location with easy access to downtown Queenstown but just far enough away to avoid the traffic during peak times.

5/5 - Excellent

Verified traveler

We enjoyed a walk around Arrowtown and appreciated that it was not filled so many people as Queenstown. We had a fabulous meal at the Stabkes Restaurant.

4/5 - Good

Verified traveler

Arrowtown is very pretty and we did a horse back riding their too! that was awesome!

Cities near Arrowtown