Spend One Day in Arrowtown, New Zealand
Roadtripping around New Zealand’s South Island is so much fun. It gives you the chance to check out not just the big hit sights, but also a number of charming, historic towns dotted across the island. They’re perfect for a day trip to break up the driving, and Arrowtown is one of the best the island has to offer.
Arrowtown might be small, but it’s the kind of place that quietly wins you over. Just a short drive from Queenstown, this historic spot blends gold rush history, character-filled streets, and riverside walks with a laid back, local vibe. And if you’re lucky enough to spend the day in Arrowtown in Autumn? Even better, with a gorgeous, golden backdrop to the town.
Arrowtown is an easy day trip from Queenstown, yet feels a world away from the buzz of its famous, adrenaline-filled neighbour. So let’s get into it: how to spend a day in Arrowtown!
Arrowtown Day Trip
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Where is Arrowtown?
Arrowtown sits beside the Arrow River on New Zealand’s South Island, just 20 minutes northeast of Queenstown. It doesn’t have Queenstown’s famous mountain backdrop, instead it’s surrounded by hills and full of gold-rush history.
The town on Arrow River, Arrowtown…bet it took a while to think of that one!
It’s an easy base for exploring lakes, wineries, alpine walks, and historic streets before returning to Queenstown the same day along the scenic highways.
Things to Do in Arrowtown
Arrowtown is an easy place to spend a day. It isn’t a huge town or stuffed full of tourist sites. Instead, spending time in Arrowtown is a combination of enjoying the stunning scenery, soaking up the history and just enjoying life at a more relaxed pace, even if it’s just for a few hours!
Wander Buckingham Street
Arrowtown’s main street is lined with over 60 historic buildings, quirky boutiques, cafés, artisan shops, and galleries. Many of them have the old wood-panelled fronts which make you feel like you’re walking along the set of a Western film.
To do a proper tour of Buckingham Street, you can grab a self-guided heritage map from the museum or use an audio tour app to follow the trail, learning about miners’ cottages, original storefronts, and local stories as you stroll through town. If that’s not your cup of tea, simply walking along and checking out the different shops, buildings and eateries is a great way to get to know the town.
Buckingham Street is the heart of the town and is just gorgeous with the hills surrounding Arrowtown as the backdrop.
Lakes District Museum & Gallery
Step into Arrowtown’s gold-rush story at this heritage museum. The exhibits here trace Māori history, early European settlement, the gold rush, and local life through artefacts, interactive displays, and restored buildings.
The museum is open daily and it’s a great activity if you’re a history lover or travelling with your family.
Entry fee: $14 adult, $6 child, $30 family bundle*
*Price correct as of December 2025
See also: Get a Taste of Gold Panning in Arrowtown
Historic Arrowtown Chinese Settlement
The historic Chinese Settlement is an outdoor site, where you can find the preserved remains of the huts and stories of Chinese miners who lived and worked here during the 1860s gold rush. Wander the well-signposted tracks along Bush Creek and read the information panels that bring this chapter of Arrowtown history to life. It’s open all day year round and free to visit, and is the perfect spot for learning a different perspective of the gold rush history.
Arrow River Bridges & Queenstown Trail
If you’re an outdoor enthusiast, you should check out the scenic walking and cycling network that links Arrowtown to Gibbston through riverside tracks, historic bridges, and farmland views. Don’t worry if you didn’t come prepared, you can hire bikes locally or walk along sections at your own pace, enjoying birdlife, river views, and maybe even a picnic en route. The trail is free and accessible year-round; bicycle hire prices vary by provider.
Arrowtown War Memorial Park
A peaceful green space perfect for relaxation or a picnic between sightseeing. The park also hosts occasional community events from its spot overlooking the historic town and surroundings. It’s not a huge attraction in the town, but always nice to make use of the green spaces in town when we can.
Gold Panning
Can you really visit Arrowtown and learn about the gold rush history without giving it a go yourself?
Pop in to the museum to hire a pan and try your hand at joining – albeit a little late – the gold rush in Arrowtown! Is there any gold still running through the river? Well, you’ll only know for sure if you give it a try!
The river is just a few minutes from the town but if you’d rather not venture too far into nature then you can also try your hand at Lake District Museum where they have a small trough for the gold panning experience.
See also: Panning for Gold in Arrowtown
Hiking
If you’re keen to stretch your legs, Arrowtown has plenty of easy hiking options right on its doorstep. You can follow the Arrow River Trail for a gentle, scenic walk, or tackle Tobins Track for wider views over the valley and surrounding hills. There are also links to longer routes on the Queenstown Trail if you want to go further. The best part is how accessible it all is. You can finish brunch on Buckingham Street and be on a peaceful riverside path just minutes later.
Wine Tours
Arrowtown sits close to the Gibbston Valley wine region, so you can easily join a guided wine tour or cycle between cellar doors on the Queenstown Trail. Expect world-class Pinot Noir, relaxed tastings, and vineyard views framed by mountains. Whether you book a half-day tour or make a leisurely afternoon of it, it’s a pretty ideal way to round out your day in Arrowtown.
What to Book in Advance
If you want to spend longer in Arrowtown soaking up the gorgeous small town vibes, you’ll want to book your Arrowtown accommodation as soon as possible. There’s a fair number of places to stay, but it’s a very charming area and can get booked up quickly, especially the more budget-friendly options.
In terms of activities in Arrowtown, if you’re planning to join a wine tour or other organised tour, these are best booked in advance too.
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How to Get to Arrowtown
The easiest way to get to Arrowtown is by car. If you’re driving from Queenstown to Arrowtown, it’s an easy 20-minute drive through the scenic valley. It’ll probably take you longer if you’re a fan of the view as there are plenty of spots to pull over and soak up the views.
If you are driving, you’ll find plenty of parking just outside the town centre. Head to Buckingham Street Car Park, or the one accessed via Ramshaw Lane. If you can’t find parking there, head a couple of streets away from the main centre and you’ll likely find street parking.
Public transport connects Arrowtown with Queenstown, with buses heading between the two tourist hubs regularly. The buses take two different routes, one will go through Frankton and takes about 40 minutes, while the other takes the scenic route and only takes a few minutes more than if you were to drive yourself. Both routes leave from the same place, on a number 4 bus, within a few minutes of each other – not helpful! If you want to get the faster bus, make sure to get the bus with the destination ‘Arrowtown’ displayed on front.
How to Get Around
Getting around Arrowtown is refreshingly easy. The historic village is compact, so walking is the best way to explore shops, cafés, and the old, charming streets. Cycling is popular here too if you’re heading outside the main town centre, with flat riverside trails linking Arrowtown to nearby wineries and Queenstown.
When to Visit Arrowtown
Arrowtown is most definitely a year-round destination, but each season brings a different vibe. Autumn is the standout, when golden trees line the streets and surrounding hills glow with colour. Summer offers warm days for riverside walks, cycling trails, and long café lunches.
Winter is quieter and crisp, with a chance of a dusting of snow nearby and easy access to ski fields around Queenstown and Cardrona. With spring comes fresh blooms, fresh greenery, and fewer crowds.
My recommendation? Autumn in Arrowtown is just absolutely stunning! Crisp blue skies with the golden colours on the trees just does something to the soul, and there’s such a peaceful vibe as you make your way around the town. If you can choose when to visit Arrowtown, autumn is a great choice!
The photos on this page were taken when I visited Arrowtown in Autumn.
Is Arrowtown Worth Visiting?
For me, absolutely. Arrowtown has real small town charm and while there isn’t a huge amount to do there, it is just such a lovely place to spend a few hours wandering around and soaking up the atmosphere. I wanted to extend my time in the area just so I could use Arrowtown as a base for a few rest days on my South Island road trip, but there wasn’t any accommodation available!
However, if you’re tight on time and want to cram in as much as possible on your trip, Arrowtown might not be the best use of your time, especially when the fan-favourite Queenstown is just down the road.
How Long Do I Need in Arrowtown?
Depending on your schedule, spending between half a day and a full day in Arrowtown is perfect!
One day in Arrowtown is the perfect balance of calm exploring vibes, stunning scenery and getting a real feel for the place. If you’re fitting in as much on your trip as possible, spending half a day in Arrowtown is good to get a taste of the town, while slow travellers and hikers will love a weekend in Arrowtown making the most of relaxed days exploring and time on the local trails.
Unless you have a specific reason to be in Arrowtown or are making the most of the area’s trails, spending more than a weekend in just the town might feel a bit too much time.
Accommodation in Arrowtown
Arrowtown may be the perfect day trip destination, but it’s also a calm oasis to stay in and recharge away from the hustle and bustle of the larger places like Queenstown. It’s full of absolutely gorgeous places to stay, from small, cosy chalets to spacious mountain homes to luxurious retreats tucked away.
Top Accommodation in Arrowtown:
Solo Travel in Arrowtown
I’m a solo female traveller and I loved exploring Arrowtown. I wasn’t able to stay in Arrowtown overnight so was there during daylight hours, but I felt extremely safe the whole time I was walking around and enjoyed the slow pace. If you’re looking to meet people, Arrowtown might not be the place for it, instead head to Queenstown to make some friends in the many hostels there who will be happy to jump on a quick bus to explore Arrowtown with you.
There’s something about the town, especially in autumn with the leaves changing colour, that made me feel like it’d be a lovely spot to explore with a friend or partner. Slow walks exploring the shops on Buckingham Street or someone to get their hands wet with me panning for gold. But if it came to a choice of go alone or wait for someone to come with me, I’d 100% go alone rather than miss out.
Roadtripping Around South Island? Check Out These Places Close By!
Roadtripping around New Zealand’s South Island has to be up there with the best road trips in the world! It’s probably why it’s such a popular thing to do in the country, and if you’re one of the road trip crew then fear now, there are so many amazing places close to Arrowtown that you can – and should – visit while you’re in the area!
See more: Epic South Island Road Trip Itinerary
Queenstown
Just a 20-minute drive from Arrowtown, Queenstown is undoubtedly the star of the region. It draws in visitors for the stunning scenery, the adrenaline-filled activities and the general vibe in the backpacker haven. It’s a busy spot and pretty much *the* spot you have to visit if you go to the South Island.
Wānaka
Queenstown’s quieter cousin, Wānaka is an hour’s drive from Arrowtown through the stunning Crown Range and has a very mountain town vibe. It feels peaceful, offering walks along the lake, time spent wandering the shops and admiring the surrounding scenery. And of course, there’s *that* Wānaka tree to see!
See also: How to Spend 2 days in Wānaka
Glenorchy
At the very end of Lake Wakatipu, Glenorchy feels like the quiet counterpoint to Queenstown. People come for the jaw-dropping mountain scenery, empty roads, and sense of space. It’s slower, wilder, and perfect if you want hikes, photo stops, and a taste of remote South Island magic.
If you’re tight on time and trying to fit in as much as possible, a morning in Arrowtown and afternoon in Glenorchy is the perfect day trip combo! Doing a day trip to both Arrowtown and Glenorchy is very doable, giving you a chance to see the charming Arrowtown old town before winding along the stunning mountain drive to Glenorchy and soaking up the sights there. As with all New Zealand drives, there are plenty of scenic stops along the way to break up the hour-long drive.
Cardrona
The tiny settlement of Cardrona is often just passed through on the scenic drive between Wānaka and Queenstown, but it’s well worth a stop for even just a drink! There’s the historic Cardrona Hotel, a brewery to tour and you can head up the mountains to New Zealand’s most popular ski location!
Further afield but perfect for next stops, you could check out Mount Cook, Tekapo, Dunedin or even Milford Sound!