Arrowtown is a gold rush town on the Arrow River, an easy 20 minute drive from central Queenstown, says Destination Queenstown. About 2,860 people lived there in June 2025 (Stats NZ). Visitors come for the 1860s miners' cottages on Buckingham Street, the Arrowtown Chinese Settlement, the Lakes District Museum and autumn colour in April and May.
Key facts
- Arrowtown is an easy 20 minute drive from the centre of Queenstown, on the banks of the Arrow River. Destination Queenstown: Arrowtown
- Estimated resident population of the Arrowtown urban area: 2,860 at 30 June 2025. Stats NZ, place summary: Arrowtown
- Jack Tewa found gold on the Arrow River in 1862, sparking the Central Otago gold rush. Destination Queenstown: heritage activities in Arrowtown
- The miners' cottages on Buckingham Street date back to the 1860s and are recognised as Tohu Whenua; Arrowtown has more than 70 historically listed features. Destination Queenstown: heritage activities in Arrowtown
- The partially restored Arrowtown Chinese Settlement dates from the 1880s, on Bush Creek at the top end of Buckingham Street. Its main walk suits wheelchairs and buggies. Department of Conservation: Arrowtown Chinese Settlement
- Autumn leaves colour the town in April and May, and the Arrowtown Autumn Festival runs in mid April. Destination Queenstown: Arrowtown
- The NZ Gazetteer gives Kamuriwai as the Māori name of Arrowtown Flat, and Haehaenui for the river. NZ Gazetteer: Arrowtown
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Why Arrowtown
Destination Queenstown describes Arrowtown as a historic gold mining town by the Arrow River, a legacy of the 1860s Otago gold rush. It counts more than 70 historically listed features, and the miners' cottages along Buckingham Street date back to the 1860s. In our view, the compact centre is what makes it work as a half day: the main street, the Chinese Settlement and the river are all within walking distance of each other.
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Getting there
Arrowtown is an easy 20 minute drive from the centre of Queenstown, says Destination Queenstown, which also points to the Orbus public bus. For riders, it says cycle trails on the Queenstown Trail lead from Arrowtown to Gibbston, Lake Hayes and Queenstown, and it describes the Arrow River Bridges Trail as an easy ride from Arrowtown to the historic Kawarau Bridge. Our one way cycling guide covers how to get back.
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History to look for
Destination Queenstown says Jack Tewa found gold on the Arrow River in 1862, sparking the Central Otago gold rush, and calls the Lakes District Museum on the main street the first stop for Arrowtown history. The Department of Conservation describes the Arrowtown Chinese Settlement as a partially restored settlement from the 1880s on Bush Creek, a tributary of the Arrow River, with interpretation panels in English and Chinese and Ah Lum's restored store about 100 metres down the hill. Destination Queenstown also lists the old gaol on Cardigan Street, built in 1876.
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When to go
Destination Queenstown says the trees turn red and gold in April and May, and the Arrowtown Autumn Festival runs in mid April, so, in our view, expect more people then. It also notes four ski areas between 20 and 60 minutes' drive away, which makes Arrowtown a winter base for some skiers. Check the festival site for the current year's dates.