Arrowtown is the perfect spot for a spring holiday, a long weekend or just a day trip. The trees are blossoming, the flowers are blooming, the days are getting ever longer and the mild weather is just right for getting out into the great outdoors. You can go for a ski in the morning and play a round of golf in the afternoon – it’s the best of winter and summer combined.

Just 20 minutes' drive from the airport, close to the Queenstown action and handy to three skifields, Arrowtown is a quiet, sophisticated village in which to base yourself for your trip. Almost all the visitor accommodation is within easy walking distance of our bustling main street. There’s a huge and varied selection of places to rest your head: park your campervan or pitch your tent at the campground, stay in tourist cabins or a motel, rent a holiday home, settle in to a B&B or go upmarket at a luxury lodge or golf resort – you’re bound to find somewhere you’ll love.

Where to stay

In spring Arrowtown’s café and pub gardens come into their own. You can fuel up on caffeine or savour a tasty lunch among spring flowers and sup a pint of craft beer in the light of the setting sun at one of the pubs, cafés, bars and restaurants with outdoor seating. You'll be spoiled for choice for dinner too – we've got everything from traditional pubs and takeaway joints to some of the most acclaimed restaurants in the country, not to mention a handful of cosy hidden bars waiting for you to discover them.

Eat & drink

Spring time is the right time for getting out on Arrowtown’s massive trail network. It’s not too hot and not too cold, trails are drying out after winter and longer daylight hours make epic day trips possible. If you’re a walker we’ve got you covered with everything from family riverside strolls to serious alpine hikes. For riders, well Arrowtown is a hotspot for biking as we’re a hub for the Queenstown Trail. From the easy off-road tracks that criss-cross the Whakatipu basin, make up your own loop that’s the right challenge for you. Or just point your front wheel towards Gibbston for wine tasting and lunch among the grapevines. You can hire a mountainbike or e-bike in Arrowtown, and there’s always the option of a pick-up if you feel like you can’t make it back after a couple of glasses of chilled rosé.

Walking

Biking

Arrowtown is a unique shopping destination. There are no big chain stores here – nothing but independently owned boutique shops. If your wardrobe needs a refresh you’ve come to the right place – you’ll find big international brands as well as quirky local designers in our many clothing stores. We've got galleries galore selling local and international art. You can buy jewellery made of gold taken from the Arrow River or a pounamu pendant carved in-store. If you're after a gift to remind you of this quaint gold-rush town, we've got Kiwiana and Arrowtown-iana too! Looking for pantry fillers? You'll find hand-made confectionery, local cheese, and Central Otago, New Zealand and international wines.

Shopping

If there's one thing that's may be unpredictable about spring, it's the weather. We do get the odd rainy day here, but that just gives a good reason to take things easy. You can use the time to learn about Arrowtown’s gold-rush past in the museum, go to a movie matinée or truly indulge yourself with a spa day.

Or just put on a rain jacket and enjoy the magic of the forests in the rain – you might catch a rainbow.