Main street
Old buildings.
Bgabel — CC BY-SA 3.0 · Bgabel — CC BY-SA 3.0 · Michelle Maria — CC BY 3.0 · Michelle Maria — CC BY 3.0
A small gold-rush town on the bank of the Arrow River near Queenstown, born after gold was found in the river in 1862, which has kept its main street of old timber and stone buildings and become one of New Zealand's loveliest historic towns. Old stores and cottages have become cafés, bakeries and craft and gift shops, and a small museum tells the story of the gold diggers. On the edge of town are the remains of the Chinese miners' settlement, with small restored stone huts bearing witness to their hard lives. The town is loveliest in autumn, April to May, when its old trees turn yellow, orange and red, one of the most photographed scenes in the country. In winter snow covers the mountains around it. Wandering is free, and you can try panning for gold in the river with simple tools. It pairs with a tour of the area around Queenstown.
Old buildings.
Stone huts.
In the river.
About 20 km north-east of Queenstown
Autumn, April to May, when the trees turn yellow and red.