based on 1,735 reviewArrowtown is a century-old town that rose to prominence during the gold rush. In 1862, gold was discovered in the Arrow River. After the news spread, thousands of prospectors flocked to this valley, and the town took shape. At its peak, the population was several times larger than today's permanent population. Today, more than 60 wooden and stone buildings from the gold rush era are still preserved, many of which have been converted into cafes, craft shops, and boutiques, keeping the vibrant atmosphere of the old street alive.
The essence of the town is concentrated on the main street, Buckingham Street, where a row of Victorian-style buildings houses an array of craft shops, candy stores, and specialty boutiques. The rows of trees along the street turn golden and orange between April and May, covering the entire old street in rich fall colors, making the town a popular spot for fall foliage in New Zealand's South Island. Take a short walk along the Arrow River trail to visit the preserved Chinese settlement, where simple huts record the history of Chinese miners during the gold rush. Visitors interested in history may want to visit the Lakes District Museum & Gallery on Buckingham Street, which houses exhibits and stories from the gold rush era and offers information about tours of the historic buildings.
Other visitors' reviews of Arrowtown
Show More ReviewsIt was February, the tail end of summer, and we didn't see anything particularly special. It was just a small town with a main street lined with various shops and a post office. There was a gold panning museum where you could pay to take a gold panning class and learn how to pan for gold. We took bus number 4 from Queenstown; it was only $2.50 one way, which was quite reasonable, and we considered it a chance to enjoy the natural scenery of New Zealand along the way.