Arrowtown Village
Arrowtown Village
4.5
About
Arrowtown’s surprises at every corner with new activities, restaurants, cafes and accommodation options. You don’t have to dig far in this sophisticated, yet quaint village to find why this charming town oozes heritage and was voted NZ's Most Beautiful Small Town not once but twice in 2020 and then again in 2023. Whether your wandering the restored miner’s cottages, the latest exhibit at the Lakes District Museum or the magnificent walking and cycling trails, Arrowtown is a hidden gem. Renowned for its award winning restaurant and cafe culture, whether fine dining, or enjoying a casual pizza or pie, there are delicious options for every budget and time span. Boutique beers and local wines are just some of the beverages on offer. Arrowtown’s tree lined streets, shops and cafes housed in original buildings and its proximity to walking /cycling tracks, vineyards, golf courses and ski fields, make it a must visit destination. Arrowtown sits just 15 minutes from Queenstown airport.
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4.5
1,703 reviews
Excellent
947
Very good
569
Average
164
Poor
15
Terrible
8
Daniel S
Sydney, Australia502 contributions
Mar 2024 • Couples
We arrived in Queenstown and hired a car.
We decided to go for a drive and happened to head towards Arrowtown approximately 20 kilometres from Queenstown.
As you drive through this place becomes a living painting with the mountains in the background and the trees with vibrant shades of gold, orange and red.
The main street is lined with historic buildings left from the gold rush era and now have been transformed into clothing shops, cafes and restaurants.
We found out that Arrowtown was a gold mining town located on the banks of the Arrow River.
We decided to go for a drive and happened to head towards Arrowtown approximately 20 kilometres from Queenstown.
As you drive through this place becomes a living painting with the mountains in the background and the trees with vibrant shades of gold, orange and red.
The main street is lined with historic buildings left from the gold rush era and now have been transformed into clothing shops, cafes and restaurants.
We found out that Arrowtown was a gold mining town located on the banks of the Arrow River.
Written 31 March 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
KBofLB
Littleborough, UK583 contributions
Nov 2024 • Solo
This was a good example of a site of historical significance being developed as a living entity rather than just as an oversized museum. The historical aspects of the gold rush are captured in many of the buildings in the village but have been given purpose as facilities to service the current population.
Slightly detached from the village is the Chinese Settlement with buildings which show how the migrant workers lived.
The Lakes District Museum & Gallery depicting the area at the height of the gold rush is well worth visiting.
Slightly detached from the village is the Chinese Settlement with buildings which show how the migrant workers lived.
The Lakes District Museum & Gallery depicting the area at the height of the gold rush is well worth visiting.
Written 20 December 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
William Y
1 contribution
Nov 2024 • Couples
Arrowtown is a quaint little town with an Old West vibe that’s basically two long streets with restaurants and stores. It’s in a scenic location about 20 minutes outside of Queenstown. There are also remnants of several Chinese “houses” or lean-to’s from their gold rush days. It’s worth a visit if you have a few hours to spare.
Written 7 December 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Malaprop
Tallebudgera, Australia126 contributions
Nov 2024 • Family
Nice little village. Not a great deal to do. Some nice restaurants but it’s full of tourists. Not sure what the draw is.
The old Chinese village was interesting. That said you can hire bikes there and go for a superb bike ride. This time it rained but last time there were swimming spots on the river. Pretty cold but worth braving it.
The old Chinese village was interesting. That said you can hire bikes there and go for a superb bike ride. This time it rained but last time there were swimming spots on the river. Pretty cold but worth braving it.
Written 14 November 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Lucille H
Durban, South Africa43 contributions
Feb 2025 • Family
short stopover en route from queenstown to dunedin
wonderful pub dinner in local hotel the fork and tap massive protions/quick service and excellent food
stayover was in shades of arrowtown which was well kept and spacious and central access was in few minutes of walking
small knick nack shops/wine and beer tastings.Lots of trails...biking and walking and chinese settlement site
wonderful pub dinner in local hotel the fork and tap massive protions/quick service and excellent food
stayover was in shades of arrowtown which was well kept and spacious and central access was in few minutes of walking
small knick nack shops/wine and beer tastings.Lots of trails...biking and walking and chinese settlement site
Written 22 February 2025
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Trippax2
Gosford, Australia76 contributions
Mar 2024 • Couples
Arrowtown is an historic gold mine town, with plenty of rustic charm.
The main street has plenty to see and quite busy with tourists.
There is also the river bed area to take a quieter walk.
Well worth a visit to this town which is about 20 minutes from Queenstown.
The main street has plenty to see and quite busy with tourists.
There is also the river bed area to take a quieter walk.
Well worth a visit to this town which is about 20 minutes from Queenstown.
Written 5 April 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Peter M
16 contributions
Mar 2025 • Family
We used our B card on the Orbus and visited Arrowtown. A lovely restored (or just kept well) little 1861 gold mining village. Well worth the visit. We were a bit early for the Autumn colours but the town itself more than compensated. Love the way car parking has been arranged to keep the historic facades and buildings uncluttered.
Written 12 March 2025
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
gerardmW7699SY
Bunbury, Australia108 contributions
Oct 2024 • Couples
A small historical village a very short but beautiful drive from Queenstown. A good way to spend a spring afternoon walking around shopping or having a taste of wine, gin or beer with some nice cheese. The drive over the Edith Cavell Bridge onto Arthur’s Point Road is interesting.
Written 2 October 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Valerie d
4 contributions
Jan 2025 • Couples
Arrowtown is a beautiful, small, historic town not far from Queenstown. It is a delightful town to spend a day. We hired bikes, and rode the arrow river trail to the bungy jumping suspension bridge. Was about 10km both ways. At the bridge we watched bungy jumping and had a zip line ride.
You can book a bike/shuttle bus to return online. Most people did that.
You can book a bike/shuttle bus to return online. Most people did that.
Written 22 February 2025
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
TMM818
Bunbury, Australia828 contributions
Aug 2023 • Solo
While my partner woke up with the birds to tackle the black runs at the Remarkables, I walked into town, purchased a $2 bus pass and hopped on and enjoyed the scenic ride out to Arrowtown for the day. You could make the day of it with a long lunch, but as we were going out to tea and had a sleep-in, my little half day of exploring was perfect. Once in the village I had a little explore by the river and Chinatown settlement and then made a focus on finding a good coffee.
The art gallery/museum and a few tourist shops were included in the itinerary before lunch and heading back to Queenstown. Great for a slower kind of day if you have been busy skiing/snowboarding
The art gallery/museum and a few tourist shops were included in the itinerary before lunch and heading back to Queenstown. Great for a slower kind of day if you have been busy skiing/snowboarding
Written 28 December 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
hi i am coming down in march from auckland and would like to know where to stay and the best places to visit. My mum and uncle will be with me my uncle is from the uk and want him to see as much as possible while we are there we will be staying for three days.
Written 29 January 2017
If you base yourself in Arrowtown you will be 20 minutes drive from Queenstown, close to Kawarau Bungy (10 minutes), Gibbston Wineries (10 minutes), Shotover Jet (10 minutes), and Arrowtown has a great choice of restaurants and cafes, the Lakes District Museum, historic Chinese Village ... go on the official Arrowtown website to look for the accommodation options. electronic copy of our brochure.
Written 30 January 2017
Hi, how long does it take from Arrowtown back to Queenstown by public transport?
Written 20 February 2015
There are 2 routes by Connectabus which departs from O'Connell's Shopping Centre. Both take around 30-35 minutes. 1 of them goes directly to Arrowtown while the other interchanges at Frankton hub.
Written 22 February 2015
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