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Arrowtown is on everyone’s list when visiting Queenstown and the surrounding region.
Just a 20-minute drive from Queenstown, this little gold rush town has somehow kept its old-world charm (and depending on the season you visit) doesn’t feel overly touristy.
I’ve stopped here more than once, and every time, I end up staying longer than planned. Most people visit Arrowtown as part of a bus tour, where they stop for a few hours and move on.
Even with little time though, there is a lot to discover in the area especially if you plan ahead.
Here are the top things I would do if you only have a few hours to spend in Arrowtown.
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🏨 Best hotel in the area: Arrowtown Motel – close to everything, modern and clean.
🚌 How to get around: I use and compare prices for car rentals, with Discovercars.com — you 100% need a car here
🍽️ Food experience: Buying sweets at The Remarkables Sweet Shop (a classic for a reason)
Yes — 100 percent.
Renting a car is the best way to explore this part of New Zealand. Public transport around Queenstown is decent, but once you want to start exploring nearby gems like Arrowtown, Glenorchy, or even the wine trails, a car gives you the freedom to do it all at your own pace.
If driving makes you nervous, then I recommend reading this guide to driving around New Zealand, that should give you some confidence.
If you’re not planning on renting a car, then your best options is to do a tour from nearby Wanaka or Queenstown.
- This tour is a wonderful small tour option, that will get you to Wanaka and Arrowtown (from Queenstown) – very well priced for NZ as well!
- For something different, I would probably opt to do this bike tour in the future. You get transfer from Queenstown, as well as a bike rental for 4 hours to discover the area around Arrowtown. Which also means, you get to taste all the wines of the region!
What to do in Arrowtown
Start with coffee at the Wolf Coffee Roasters
This is my go-to first stop every time I’m in Arrowtown.
One of the best coffee shops and most interesting flavors I’ve gotten to try around New Zealand.
The Wolf is a small coffee shop with a big following.. for good reason.
The coffee is spot on and the single origin fruit tasting notes are out of this world, the pastries are excellent, and the vibe is cozy and cool without trying too hard. I’m partial to the ham and cheese swirl thingy they have.
It’s right on the main street, so it’s easy to grab a table and ease into the pace of the town. As the only Arrowtown-based roastery, it supplies lots of wholesale customers, and you can grab a bag for yourself while there.
2. Visit the Lake District Museum and Chinese Village
If you like a bit of history with your travel, the Lakes District Museum is a must. It walks you through Arrowtown’s gold rush days and shares powerful stories about the people who came here chasing opportunity, especially the Chinese miners who lived in tough conditions on the edge of town.
There are not a ton of places where you can learn about history in New Zealand, so it’s nice to support them when they are available.
You can walk from the museum to the historic Chinese settlement, where small huts still stand tucked along the riverbank. It’s one of the most unique heritage experiences in New Zealand, and it’s free to explore.
3. Go gold panning at the Arrow River
Yes, you can still pan for gold here!
This is especially cool to do if you have a family with younger children.
It’s a fun and surprisingly peaceful way to spend an hour or two. You can rent a pan from the museum or a shop in town, head to the river, and try your luck. Even if you don’t find anything, the walk down to the river is beautiful and feels like stepping back in time.
4. Have lunch at the Arrowtown bakery
This isn’t just any bakery, it’s a local institution.
And if you haven’t gotten around to trying local pies yet, then you need to do so here.
Everything is fresh, hearty, and made with care. The steak and cheese pie is a winner, but they’ve got plenty of options including veggie-friendly ones.
I recommend to grab your food and enjoy it outside under the trees or take it down to the riverbank for a scenic lunch spot.
5. Stock up on treats at The Remarkables Sweet Shop
A little bit of childhood nostalgia lives here.
The Remarkable Sweet Shop is packed with everything from old-school lollies to handmade fudge (try the samples before you decide what to get). The store itself fits the town’s historic vibe and is a fun stop whether you’re buying for kids or just treating yourself.
THERE YOU HAVE IT
And just like that, you have spend 4-5 full hours exploring Arrowtown. Of course, this is just one of many places you can see in the region.
If you’re planned ahead and rented the bikes you can make your way to Gibbston Valley for a wine tasting, or stop by Lake Hayes for a short walk.
The Otago region of New Zealand (where Queenstown and Wanaka live) is both ridiculously well known, but also hiding beautiful trails and viewpoints that are easy to miss without a car, or if you don’t stop and look.
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ESSENTIAL INFORMATION
Must Know When Visiting New Zealand
- Emergency: Dial 111 for all emergencies.
- Language: Both English and Māori are official languages in New Zealand. Samoan, Northern Chinese and Hindi are also widely spoken. Common phrases to learn are “Kia ora” (Hi – informal greeting), “Aotearoa” (Māori name for New Zealand), “Mōrena”, (Good morning), “Whānau”, (Family).
- Water: Yes, it is perfectly safe to drink tap water in New Zealand.
- Driving: Left-hand side, international driving permit recommended. Book your rental car with Discover Cars for the best rates and comparisons across all major and local companies.
- Accommodation: Booking.com for the most options on hotels, apartments and hostels. Free cancellation in a lot of places and no need to pre-pay. Great for their rewards points system.
- Geography: New Zealand has two main islands (North and South) and a number of smaller islands including Steward Island at the bottom of the South Island.
- Activities: From cultural sights to day trips, food tours and city guides, use Get Your Guide.
- Domestic Airlines: The main airlines for air travel are Air New Zealand (check out their safety videos) and Jetstar.
- Taxi: You will be able to download apps like Uber, Ola and Cabify among others, to order taxi rides.
- Culture: It is not uncommon for people to walk barefoot in certain settings in New Zealand. The summer season is popular for festivals, roadtrips and of course, a good opportunity to see a rugby game.
