Arrowtown is a cute little village that popped up during the Gold Rush days. It’s just a quick 20-minute drive from Queenstown, making it an ideal spot to crash while exploring the area.
The town has a fascinating history and a ton of personality. The main street is super charming. While on our road trip to Otago, we had a blast checking out Arrowtown. It’s totally a hidden gem of New Zealand!
Discovering The Town
Arrowtown is one of the oldest and most picturesque settlements in New Zealand. The town is home to many historic buildings, and to better understand its rich history, I highly recommend visiting the Museum. The museum offers fascinating insights into the town’s past.
Before the arrival of the Europeans, Maori people used to go there to hunt birds and find greenstone. The first Maori people were Waitaha, and then Kati Mamoe joined them. After that, the three communities were friends.
William Rees and Nicholas von Tunzelmann started farming in the area. Later, in 1862, Jack Tewa discovered gold, leading to the establishment of Fox Town. The miners found considerable gold, with the first gold escort hauling 12,000 ounces (340 kgs) of gold in January 1863. Many miners arrived at the town, but most left to search for gold elsewhere.
Chinese miners settled in Arrowtown and stayed there until 1928. Samuel Goldston became the town’s first mayor in 1874. Unfortunately, a fire broke out in 1896 and destroyed the Morning Star Hotel, Campbell’s bakery, and a significant portion of Pritchard’s Store. The store was rebuilt, but Buckingham Green has now replaced the Morning Star Hotel.
After the gold rush, Arrowtown became a farm service town with few people. But then people started to go on holiday there and fix up old houses or build new ones. Many people like to visit Arrowtown because of its rich history and fun vibe.
Is Arrowtown worth visiting?
Arrowtown is a charming town with a rich history as a gold mining town. Surrounded by mountains and plenty of cycling and walking trails, it’s an excellent place for outdoor activities.
However, those who prefer a more relaxed pace can still discover the town’s treasures by wandering along its main street, where they’ll find quaint shops and eateries.
With its local museum, Chinese settlement, and police camp, Arrowtown is a destination that has something for everyone, surrounded by natural beauty that will leave you awestruck.
It’s no wonder that Arrowtown is a must-visit spot for anyone traveling to New Zealand.