Arrowtown is an historic gold-mining town in Otago, New Zealand, situated close to the western bank of the Arrow River. The town's determination to preserve its past is evident with miners' cottages, historic wooden buildings, and 19th century-style shops, still standing as they did during the gold rush. The mountainous terrain offers picturesque scenery and four very distinct seasons making it an excellent spot to visit or stay any time of the year.

History

The town is believed to have been founded in 1862, when a rush to the district followed a rich gold strike by a prospector, William Fox. It is said that within a few weeks the first parties had taken 90kg of gold out of the Arrow Gorge. The Arrow River became famous as one of the world's richest sources of alluvial Gold.  Later and continuing into the 1900s Quartz mining replaced the river panning for alluvial Gold, resulting in many 'crushing batteries' and mines further up the river from Arrowtown and into Macetown.

The earliest miners lived in basic canvas tents. However in 1862 and 1863, merchants and hoteliers soon erected solid stone buildings along Buckingham Street. The treeless landscape meant there was a chronic shortage of timber for building and heating, requiring it to be shipped in from over 80km away. Arrowtown is now famous for its trees, the main avenue of Sycamores and Oaks, planted in 1867 are the centre piece. The surrounding hills are covered with a delightful mix evergreen and English deciduous trees adding to Arrowtown's overall pleasant aspect and views, especially in autumn.