Gold Panning

Gold panning in Arrowtown is a "short-visit" fun activity for children and adults.

The Arrow River is just two minutes from town - simply hire a gold pan, walk down to the river bank and get started.

There is gold to be found and there are several places which hire gold pans and show you how to pan for gold. One has its panning troughs ready so you can pan for gold without getting wet toes!

LOCAL NUGGETS

Arrowtown Random Fact No.1

They used to sell Morphine in the local drug store. That was back in the goldmining days of course!

LOCAL NUGGETS

Arrowtown Random Fact No.2

Arrowtown had four churches representing the early immigrant populations. Catholic, Presbyterian, Anglican and Methodist. All still operate today except for the Methodist Church.

LOCAL NUGGETS

Arrowtown Random Fact No.3

The discoverer of gold in the Arrow river was a shepherd named Jack Tewa or Maori Jack. He also won the Royal Humane medal for saving a man from drowning in Lake Wakatipu.

LOCAL NUGGETS

Arrowtown Random Fact No.4

The first jail in Arrowtown was simply a log. You were chained up to it. The later stone jail still exists and is in Cardigan Street. It is New Zealand’s 4th oldest jail.

LOCAL NUGGETS

Arrowtown Random Fact No.5

The Chinese Settlement was established in 1867-8 and was in existence until the mid 1930’s. The site underwent an archaeological excavation in 1984.

LOCAL NUGGETS

Arrowtown Random Fact No.6

There are two theories as to why the town is named Arrowtown. One is that the river behind the town flows swiftly like an arrow.

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