Minerals Trace Back to Gold Rush Days
in Arrowtown New Zealand

A twenty-minute drive from Queenstown brings you to Arrowtown New Zealand, a quaint old gold mining town known for four season appeal. Travel here to enjoy dramatic sycamore and oak fall foliage and annual autumn festival (April), hot summers, and excellent winter skiing in the heart of the South Island lakes region.

Discovery of the Arrow River in 1862 led droves of settlers to pursue their fortunes there. Initially, this premium spot remained secret among original gold diggers, who retrieved 230 pounds of the mineral gem before Arrowtown, New Zealand grew to over 7,000 and became known as one of the riches sources of alluvial gold in the world.

In the early 1860’s, emerging capitalists jumped at the opportunity to build the stone buildings for retail business on famous Buckingham Street, which still characterize today’s commercial South Island tourism. Shops there carry high quality, New Zealand made merchandise.

The town’s also known for fine cafes, restaurants, and locally made wine. Indeed, you’ll find no shortage of quality New Zealand food and drink in this area! The Stone Cottage is a period building now used as a tea room. The intersection of Oak and Sycamore is a key spot for fall colors with trees that represent pioneer plantings.

In wake of its goldrush days, Arrowtown, New Zealand is known as a living historic town governed by strict preservation laws to maintain its original character.

On its outskirts, one of the more interesting tours is The Chinese Settlement, which depicts how industrious ethic and successful labor of Chinese gold seekers who came to the area threatened their competition. Ah Lum’s Store and an outhouse operated there until 1972. Parts of the settlement were recreated after some original portions were razed in 1983.

Other things to see and do in Arrowtown, New Zealand include the Lakes District Museum’s historic perspective, Arrowtown Jail, built in 1876 to replace the original old log jail, and Stables Restaurant and Village Green, another example of thick walled, local rock building.

Pools of the Arrow River carry traces of mineral color that lucky travelers may capture while panning for gold. Fish there or for trout at Lake Hayes.

Millbrook Resort offers world class golfing. Arrowtown also features horse and buggy rides, horseback trail riding, historic walks and hiking, winery and double decker bus tours, waterfall park, Bungy Bridge, parapenting, and old pubs.

A New Zealand vacation is known for wide choices of accommodation and Arrowtown is no exception with plenty of motels, hotels, B & B’s, lodges, homestays, cottages, camping, and of course, backpackers.

While the definite touristy feeling may not appeal to all, Arrowtown, New Zealand makes a convenient base to get a little gold rush historical fix, and seek out the town’s activities as well as other attractions that lie beyond in nearby Queenstown and the great outdoors.