Canterbury Trails · Private Queenstown tours
Arrowtown & Surrounds
A gold-rush town, and the country that made it.
The experience
The best-preserved gold-rush town in the country, minutes from Queenstown and a world away from it.
Arrowtown is a place of tree-lined streets, stone cottages and a history that runs deep. It sits among some of the loveliest country in the region, and a half day here is a gentle, rewarding contrast to the lake and the adrenalin.
The day
Streets, stories and the country around
Your guide tells the story as you wander, from the boom of the 1860s to the Chinese miners who lived on the edge of the settlement and left a moving heritage by the river. A short drive brings you to the cobbled main street with its boutiques and cafes, then a stop at Lake Hayes for the mirror reflections that give the lake its name, a look at the original Kawarau bungy bridge, and the wide view over the basin from Coronet Peak.
Time in Arrowtown itself rounds out the day, for a cafe lunch if you wish and a wander through the autumn streets, before the short return to Queenstown.
Along the way
The day in pictures
The hills above Arrowtown
Lake Hayesthe mirror reflections
Chinese settlementby the Arrow River
Kawarau bungythe original bridge
What to expect
An easy, gentle half day
The day is entirely private: a premium vehicle and one dedicated guide, door-to-door from Queenstown, at an easy pace with gentle walking on flat streets and paths. Arrowtown is at its most spectacular in autumn, when the avenues turn gold and red, and it pairs beautifully with a wine tour to make a full day.
Private half-day journeys from NZD $190 per person.A half day from Queenstown, the gold-rush town and its surrounds.
What our guests say
“A fantastic guide, the exact combination of informative, entertaining and patient.”Nick H, April 2026
Rated 4.9 out of 5 on Google & TripAdvisor
Good to know
A few questions answered
How long is the tour, and where do you collect from?
A relaxed half day, around four hours, with private door-to-door collection and return from your Queenstown accommodation.
Is lunch included?
Not included. There is time for a cafe stop in Arrowtown if you wish, and bottled water is provided.
When is Arrowtown at its best?
Autumn, when the streets and hills turn gold and red, though it is lovely year round.
Can we combine it with a wine tour?
Yes. Arrowtown pairs naturally with a Central Otago wine tour to make a full day.
Plan your journey
Travel Arrowtown in style
Tell us your dates and your party, and we will shape the day around you.
Email info@trails.co.nz · Phone +64 3 384 6148
