Arrowtown

Image Credits: Sabrina Xavier Photographer and Derek Smith and Maclean Barker Photographers

ACTIVITIES AROUND ARROWTOWN

Arrowtown has found a welcoming way to take the chill out of its alpine winters. Park your vehicle and stroll down the main street and you will see straightaway what is generating the glow - namely the colourful cluster of shops, cafes, restaurants and galleries lining either side.

This historic gold mining town has developed a well deserved reputation for being an attractive place to shop, dine and sip freshly brewed coffee. “Small is beautiful” could have been coined for Arrowtown. Surrounding it are spectacular mountains and the beauty of the scenery makes it a town for all seasons. As the warm summers fade into autumn, the intensifying cold snaps the foliage yellow, orange and red, before these stunning colours give way to the dazzling white of winter. Arrive in spring and you will be greeted by a burst of new colour.

In whatever season, you will find a range of quality New Zealand made merchandise in the main street shops. Being in the heart of the southern lakes and alpine national parks region, Arrowtown’s fashion stores do a brisk trade in stylish and top range outdoor recreational gear. Back Country Outdoor Gear in Buckingham Street is one of several. If woollen wear takes your fancy call in at The Wool Press. You will also find jewellery, made from New Zealand greenstone (jade), at the Jade and Opal factory.

Children, meanwhile, make their way without guidance to the Remarkable Sweet Shop.

But getting around is made very simple because most of Arrowtown’s retail action buzzes on Buckingham Street in the centre of town, including good restaurants like Saffron.

The original inhabitants who slogged through the seasons in the 19th century gold rush days would flip in their graves to witness the civilized scene in 21st century Arrowtown. No doubt they would also be pleased to see that some of the cottages dating from their time are still standing. A few of these original dwellings have been turned into shops and they anchor the historic character of the town centre.

The Arrow River courses below the main street, adding to the striking scenery. It was in the same river in 1862 that Jack Tewa, a sheep shearer working on a high country station, found gold. With a stretch of imagination you might be able to picture the tents and shanties that mushroomed on the river bank with the ensuing gold rush. Those hastily erected shelters were not able to withstand a spring flood and the town was rebuilt with solid dwellings. Those that have survived to the present day look like they will be around for plenty of time to come.