- 1Arrowtown is about a 20 minute drive from the centre of Queenstown, according to Destination Queenstown.
- 2The Orbus public bus also serves Arrowtown: route 2 runs from Frankton Hub and route 4 runs from Jacks Point via Queenstown. Adult fares anywhere in the Queenstown network are $2.50 with a Bee Card or $4 cash (Otago Regional Council, read 31 October 2026).
- 3The Arrowtown Chinese Settlement is at the top end of Buckingham Street. DOC describes a short, wheelchair accessible walk with interpretation panels in English and Chinese.
- 4In our view, a half day is enough for the main street, the Chinese Settlement and the Arrow River, with the museum added only if you have time to spare.
01 / Short answer
About 20 minutes away, and a good half day once you arrive
Destination Queenstown describes Arrowtown as an easy 20 minute drive from the centre of Queenstown, and as a historic gold mining town beside the Arrow River. You can also go by Orbus bus or by bike. In our view, a half day covers the three things most visitors come for: the historic main street, the Chinese Settlement at the top of Buckingham Street, and a stroll to the river. Add the Lakes District Museum if you want the gold rush story told indoors. This guide is about the half day itself. For the history of the Settlement, read our fact page.
02 / Getting there
Queenstown to Arrowtown, three ways
| Way to go | What the sources say | Best when (our view) |
|---|---|---|
| Drive | Destination Queenstown gives an easy 20 minute drive from the centre of Queenstown. | You want to leave when you like, or you are adding stops on the way. |
| Orbus bus | The Otago Regional Council lists route 2 (Frankton Hub to Arrowtown) and route 4 (Jacks Point to Arrowtown via Queenstown). Both are listed at about every 30 minutes in the morning and late afternoon peaks, and about every 60 minutes in the middle of the day and the evening. The Otago Regional Council says times are approximate (read 31 October 2026). | You would rather not park and are happy to work to a timetable. Check the fare and the bus alerts before you go. |
| Bike | Queenstown Trails lists the Wharehuanui Trail from Arthurs Point (13 km one way, 1.5 to 2 hours by bike, graded easy; 16.5 km for the full ride to Arrowtown including the Countryside Trail section) and the Countryside Trail (12.8 km between Arrowtown and the Old Lower Shotover Bridge, 1.5 to 3 hours by bike, graded intermediate). | You are a confident rider and the weather suits it. Plan the return before you leave: see our one-way cycling guide. |
03 / A half day
A simple order for the morning or afternoon
- 01Start at the museum
Destination Queenstown calls the Lakes District Museum on the main street the place to start on Arrowtown history, and says it is also the town's information centre. It suggests asking there for the Arrowtown Guide, which maps a self-guided heritage walk.
- 02Walk Buckingham Street
Destination Queenstown describes miners' cottages from the 1860s along the street, and suggests allowing a couple of hours for a leisurely stroll through the town centre. In our view, an hour is enough if you want to keep time for the Settlement.
- 03Go to the Settlement
DOC places the Arrowtown Chinese Settlement at the top end of Buckingham Street and calls it a short walk. Ah Lum's restored store is on a terrace on the left, and the main settlement is on the flats behind it. The panels are in English and Chinese.
- 04Finish by the river
DOC says Buckingham Street swings downhill to a popular picnic area where Bush Creek meets the Arrow River. Destination Queenstown says you can hire gold pans at the museum and try panning in the river.
04 / What to see
The four stops, and what each source says
Details come from DOC, Destination Queenstown and the museum's own site, read on 31 October 2026.
Heritage
Arrowtown Chinese Settlement
Main street
Buckingham Street
Museum
Lakes District Museum
River
Arrow River
05 / Time and season
Allow three to four hours on the ground
That figure is our estimate, built from the durations the sources give: a couple of hours for the town centre walk (Destination Queenstown) and a short walk at the Settlement (DOC), plus a museum visit if you add one. It does not include travel from Queenstown. Destination Queenstown says the town is known for its autumn colours in April and May, and for an Autumn Festival in mid April, so expect more people then. Check DOC's page for the Settlement before you travel.
06 / Make it a day
Pair Arrowtown with a ride or a wine stop
Queenstown Trails lists the Arrow River Bridges Trail as starting in Arrowtown and heading downstream to the Kawarau Suspension Bridge. In our view, that makes a one-way ride the natural way to extend the visit. Queenstown Trails listed a partial closure at Swain Bridge, with a detour, when we read its status page on 31 October 2026, so check the trail status first. If you are travelling without a car, our guide to Queenstown without a car covers the Orbus network, and our guide to wine tours without driving covers the Gibbston side. For other free stops, our free things to do guide lists the Settlement among them.
