Sprawling along the banks of the Arrow River, Arrowtown is a historic gold mining town in the Queenstown-Lakes region. It’s home to a former Chinese settlement and popular ski resort and is a gateway to the spectacular Crown Range Road.

Things to do

Hit the slopes of Coronet Peak, a 1,649-metre-high mountain with impressive terrain for skiing and snowboarding. Soak up the views of Lake Wakatipu and nearby Lake Hayes from their high-speed chairlifts, then grab a warm drink or hearty meal in the Coronet Peak Cafe.

Walk or cycle along the Lake Hayes Circuit, which forms part of the 120-kilometre-long Queenstown Trail. Admire the majestic mountain reflections on what is one of the most photographed lakes in New Zealand and visit the award-winning Amisfield Winery nearby to sample Otago’s renowned pinot noir.

Drive along the spectacular Crown Range Road, which climbs a steep zigzag before arriving at the historic summit of Crown Saddle. Soak up the distant views of Arrowtown and Lake Hayes before continuing through the Cardrona River’s snow tussock valley en route to the gold prospecting town of Cardrona.

Wander through the atmospheric Arrowtown Chinese Settlement to explore the restored huts dating back to the mid-19th century. Alongside the modest abodes of the Chinese miners is a grand avenue where wealthy banks and merchants once traded, perfectly illustrating the two different worlds that existed during the Otago gold rush.

Getting around

Arrowtown is around 20 minutes’ drive from Queenstown International Airport and the centre of Queenstown. Buses connect Arrowtown to Queenstown and Wanaka, while the town is small enough to explore on foot.