"Arrowtown" Top 5 Page for this destination Arrowtown by allikat

Arrowtown Travel Guide: 116 reviews and 298 photos

White wystaria-draped Arrowtown shop. - Arrowtown

They discovered gold in the Arrow River back in 1862 and Arrowtown was born. Originally named "Fox's" after one of the miners, this gold-mining settlement quickly grew into a flourishing township. To begin with, it was a typical shanty-town, but before long they began to build and at it's height Arrowtown was home to around 7000 miners, families and workers. The tents had been replaced by stone and the town was here to stay.

Nowadays, the population is far less, the gold has gone and the miners have been replaced with tourists. Arrowtown is about 25 minutes from Queenstown, New Zealand's busy adventure capital. Consequently, Arrowtown and the surrounding Central Otago area are very much year-round destinations, busy in both the peak summer season and the winter ski season. However, one of the reasons I loved Arrowtown, apart from it's sense of history, is the fact that it had a much quieter feel to it than Queenstown or Wanaka. Of course, it is much smaller than either of those spots, but I got to feel this was home to it's residents rather than just a tourist-trail marker. A lovely little township to wander round and explore.

Pros and Cons

Pros:Lots of history, plenty to see and an amazing mountain backdrop.
Cons:I imagine the main street can get very busy, with cars parked nose to tail along it.
In a nutshell:Very much a thriving community, Arrowtown has the feel of a township with a real heart and soul.

Last visit to Arrowtown: Nov 2006
Intro Updated Jan 16, 2007
Add to Trip Planner (?)
Report Abuse

Reviews (5)

Great big breakfasts at Pannikins Restaurants (1)

We were staying in Queenstown, and had decided to drive out to Arrowtown for breakfast before spending the day there. We... more travel advice

The old Bank of New Zealand building. - Arrowtown

The Lakes District Museum Things to Do (3)

The Lakes District Museum is an excellent place to visit - heaps of local history is presented here, and the museum... more travel advice

Craig Potton Gallery Things to Do (3)

I was in my element browsing this gallery! Craig Potten is a successful photographer specialising in scenes of New... more travel advice

The Remarkable Sweet Shop, Arrowtown - Arrowtown

English sweets in Arrowtown?? Shopping (1)

The name of this cute little sweet shop (candy store) is a play on words - nearby you have The Remarkables, a stunning,... more travel advice

Travelogues (2)

1 - 2 of 2

Comments (6)

amandajayne81 Nov 15, 2008 at 3:26 PM Report Abuse

Looks like a great place. Keen to get there for a visit.
sourbugger Mar 27, 2008 at 1:49 AM Report Abuse

looks like a 'sweet' place !
nickandchris Feb 24, 2008 at 8:28 AM Report Abuse

What an intriguing place.
alucas Jan 27, 2007 at 7:54 AM Report Abuse

Lovely new page on a pretty little town, and lots of good photos too !
elucas Jan 17, 2007 at 11:58 AM Report Abuse

Wonderful white wysteria ! Those little huts look really uncomfortable - I hope they found enough gold for it to be worthwhile. Sweet shop sounds fun. Liz.
Darby2 Jan 16, 2007 at 6:44 PM Report Abuse

Ah HA!!! sooooooo....you did take some photos, and lovely ones they are. Well worth the wait!!! Arrowtown looks a lot like Kaslo on Kootenay Lake. Both were mining towns