General History
 
 
 


Thousands of miners arrived in Arrowtown in 1862 after the discovery of Gold in the Arrow River.		  

 


The town was originally called Foxes after William Fox who was first to discover Gold. During the Gold Rush years of the 1860's the population rose to over 7,000 people. 		 
  The Arrow River became famous as one of the world's richest sources of alluvial Gold. Many miners made their fortunes working in the river by the town.

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 which is further again up the Arrow river.

The eariest 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 ment there was a chronic shortage of timber for building and heating and It had to be shipped in from over 80km (50 miles) away

.Winters were extremely harsh, and spring floods took their toll. Many miners were killed during a severe flood in 1863, many in flimsy accommodation close to the Arrow river.

Arrowtown is now famous for its trees, particularly in autumn.
The main avenue of Sycamores and Oaks, planted in 1867, and is a reknowned feature of the town today,especially in autumn. The surrounding hills are covered with a delightful mix evergreen and English deciduous trees adding to Arrowtown's overall pleasant aspect and views.

Arrowtown had earned itself a reputation as being a wild and lawless town. Miners from all over the world greedy for Gold constantly squabbled over claims and water rights,often encouraged by whiskey drunk in one of Buckingham Street's many hotels, bars
and saloons. It took the strong arm of the law and the power of the gun to settle the miners down.
 

Early History
-1200AD, Polynesian Moa hunters roamed the area in search of large Moa for food and clothing. (This large flightless bird is now extinct)
- 1853 first Europeans arrive in the area
- 1862 William Fox discovers Gold in the Arrow River.


Now Arrowtown is visited by people from all over the world, and has become the only living, functioning example of a historic town in New Zealand.

Strict preservation orders protect the town's character and historic buildings. The Lakes District Museum is well worth a visit .. This large and well accredited museum specializes in the gold mining history of the local Arrowtown area.

Arrowtown boasts many beautiful walks surrounding it's hills and along the banks of the Arrow River. This is small town with a true village atmosphere, interesting shopping and gourmet dining.

Handy to local vineyards, bungy jumping, and skiing, and is an easy 20 minute drive from Queenstown, New Zealand's leading tourist and alpine resort (4 hours to Milford Sound).