Arrowtown

Arrowtown Discover Arrowtown, New Zealand's most beautiful small town just 20 minutes from Queenstown. We look forward to meeting you!
(428)

This is Arrowtown, New Zealand – the much loved four-season holiday destination named NZ's Most Beautiful Small Town in 2020. Just 20 minutes' drive from Queenstown Airport, Arrowtown is a former gold-mining town built on a rich history that is waiting for you to explore. Enjoy activities from gold-panning, golfing, shopping, dining, w**e tasting, e-biking and hiking to simply relaxing in one of our beautiful hotel, motel, bed & breakfast or resort accommodation options.

6 Must Dos for the whole family and yes, that includes big kids, too 😉Whether it's your first visit, or your hundredth, ...
23/09/2026

6 Must Dos for the whole family and yes, that includes big kids, too 😉

Whether it's your first visit, or your hundredth, there is always something new to discover in Arrowtown.

Pan for gold, step back in time, wander the river without an agenda, raid the sweet shop, grab an ice cream, or explore a little more history hiding in plain sight.

How many have you ticked off?

Make sure you save this for your next visit.

18/09/2026

Waking up in Arrowtown yesterday.
[Actual audio from our backyard 🐦]

"If only we'd known, we would have stayed here" is a statement we hear every single day from our visitors.

With a wide range of accommodation to choose from, fitting every budget, we hope to see you soon. We love sharing our home with you 🥰

Some of our favourites:
Arrowtownholidayhomes
Arrowtown Holiday Park
Arrowtown House Boutique Hotel
Arrowtown Lodge
Arrowtown Motel & Apartments
Settlers Cottage Arrowtown
Millbrook Resort
Lake Hayes Stays
Shades of Arrowtown

See you soon.

Did you know these trees have been watching over Buckingham Street for 159 years? 🌳Back in 1867, the town turned out to ...
16/09/2026

Did you know these trees have been watching over Buckingham Street for 159 years? 🌳

Back in 1867, the town turned out to plant the avenue, with 24 trees on each side of the street, including sycamores, elms, oaks and one lone rowan.

The trees on the southern side were generously donated by Scotsman Alexander Innes, Arrowtown’s second mayor, while local residents were invited to get involved, with many adding trees of their own.

Today, they form one of Arrowtown’s most photographed sights. Autumn might steal much of the limelight, when they turn brilliant shades of gold, red and auburn, but this avenue puts on a pretty spectacular show in every season.

And that plaque for Mary Cotter and her tree? 👀

There’s a whole story there. Literally. But we’ll save that one for next week.
Answers to Triva Questions last week:
1. What was Arrowtown first known as after European Settlement?
B. Fox's (After William Fox)

2. Who (actually) discovered gold in Arrowtown around August of 1862?
B. Jack Tewa (aka Maori Jack)

3. But who took credit for the discovery?
C. William (Bill) Fox

4. What "saved" Arrowtown from becoming another gold rush era ghost town by the end of World War II?
C. Cribs

5. Arrowtown still has around ____ buildings, monuments and features remaining from the gold rush era?
D. 70!

📣 GIVEAWAY! 🎭 Win two tickets to Remarkable Theatre 's production, 'Home, I'm Darling'.We’ve just seen it and this one w...
15/09/2026

📣 GIVEAWAY! 🎭 Win two tickets to Remarkable Theatre 's production, 'Home, I'm Darling'.

We’ve just seen it and this one will definitely give you something to talk about on the drive home.

Witty, clever and beautifully performed, it takes a nostalgic look at marriage, domestic life and the idea that maybe the past wasn’t quite as perfect as we remember it.

**Fancy seeing it for yourself?** Win a couple of tickets on us!

👇 **Tell us in the comments: which straight play would you love to see performed in Arrowtown next?**
A comedy? A classic? Something completely unexpected?

One lucky commenter will win tickets to *Home, I’m Darling*! 🎟️✨ Playing again Wednesday to Saturday night.

So go on, tell us what you want to see on stage next and just maybe Remarkable Theatre will bring it to life.

Get the diaries out! 📅 For a small town, we always have a lot going on.If you're in the area, make sure you check out ou...
13/09/2026

Get the diaries out! 📅 For a small town, we always have a lot going on.

If you're in the area, make sure you check out our exhibitions, theatre, live music and other incredible events. There is so much to discover, our local talent really is something else.

Save this one for later, tag someone who needs to know what's on, and come along and support the people making things happen in our wee town. ❤️

You can discover more about each event on Facebook, and if we missed anything, feel free to comment below. More to come (because Arrowtown is anything but sleepy).

Trivia Time. Test your knowledge, or learn something new! Answers provided next week (don't cheat!), and info for last w...
08/09/2026

Trivia Time. Test your knowledge, or learn something new! Answers provided next week (don't cheat!), and info for last weeks artifact are below.

1. What was Arrowtown first known as after European Settlement?
A. Rees Town
B. Foxes
C. Princetown
D. Macetown

2. Who (actually) discovered gold in Arrowtown around August of 1862?
A. William Rees
B. Jack Tewa (aka Maori Jack)
C. William (Bill) Fox
D. Bully Hayes

3. But who took credit for the discovery?
A. William Rees
B. Jack Tewa (aka Maori Jack)
C. William (Bill) Fox
D. Bully Hayes

4. What "saved" Arrowtown from becoming another gold rush era ghost town by the end of World War II?
A. More gold was found
B. Social Media Influencers
C. Cribs
D. There was no parking available in Queenstown

5. Arrowtown still has around ____ buildings, monuments and features remaining from the gold rush era?
A. 20
B. 35
C. 50
D. 70
Artifact from last week:
Lakes District Museum Ref: Q0064
Saddler's Harness Makers Collar Palm Tool
Used by saddlers to push needles through leather acting as a large, protective thimble.
Cast iron. Hole in side of neck for thread.
Part of the Craddock Collection

A saddler’s palm (also called a sewing palm, palm iron, or collar palm) is a leather hand-guard featuring an embedded metal dimpled plate or thimble. Worn across the palm and thumb, it allows leatherworkers and saddlers to safely and forcefully push heavy-duty needles through thick, dense leather without injuring their hands.

Key Features and Design
Leather Strap/Mitten: A sturdy leather band or glove-like base that wraps securely around the palm and fastens near the wrist or thumb. [, 2]

Metal Indented Plate: A hard iron, steel, or brass plate positioned right in the center of the palm, featuring small indents or pits to catch the blunt end of a heavy needle securely. [1]
Hand Protection: Eliminates the strain and repetitive injury of driving thick harness needles through multiple layers of heavy-weight hide by shifting the pushing force to the reinforced palm. [1]

Common Uses
Saddlery and Harness Making: Stitching thick bridle leather, heavy rein junctions, or layered tack.
Collar Making: Specialized "collar palms" feature extended channels or extra pin/cup holes to twist, push, and pull stiff, bulky pack-stitched horse collars.

Core Era: Primarily 1800s to 1950s for commercial working saddlers and harness makers.

07/09/2026

Gold rush of 2026?? 👀✨

We’ve had a serious amount of rain lately, and with that much water moving through the valley, the landscape can change dramatically.

Tracks and riverbeds can shift, and erosion can uncover things that have been hidden for years, or, in this case, perhaps something a little more exciting.

Gold. 🪙

As Alanna from the Lakes District Museum explains, there have already been several reports of people finding gold in the river following the recent weather.

The road to Macetown is currently closed, and after such heavy rainfall, conditions can change quickly. If you're heading out exploring, check the latest track and road information before setting off and please take care around waterways.

But for now, look closely at the Arrow River.
Because beneath all that wild water lies a landscape with a rather glittering past.

Now, we're not claiming you'll find enough gold to fund your trip...but, you never know. 😉

03/09/2026

Not Jussasic Park, but definitely a bucket list destination.

So much to see and discover here, take your time and relish in everything this place has to offer:

✅️ Unique gifts and shopping
✅️ Insanely good cuisine
✅️ Accommodation for every type of traveler
✅️ Wineries & craft beers
✅️ Perfect coffees
✅️ Walks galore
✅️ Insta worthy shots around every corner
✅️ 2 ski fields at our doorstep (3 more over the range)
✅️ 3 golf courses (4 others a short drive away)
✅️ Historic buildings and a fascinating history
✅️ Some of the friendliest people

And so much more. This place is literally for everyone.
Follow us for specifics and details, they are coming!

In the meantime, check out our website for everything you need to know about your stay and our amazing little town.

www.arrowtown.com

Address

49 Buckingham Street
Queenstown
9302

Website

Alerts

Be the first to know and let us send you an email when Arrowtown posts news and promotions. Your email address will not be used for any other purpose, and you can unsubscribe at any time.

Contact The Organization

Send a message to Arrowtown:

Shortcuts

Share