The best outdoor summer activities in Arrowtown

Summer in Arrowtown runs long. The sun stays up past nine, the Arrow River runs clear and cold through the centre of town, and Buckingham Street fills with people who are in no particular hurry. It is the season when the town is at full stretch — every trail open, every table outside occupied, every afternoon feeling like it has time to spare.

If you are based in Queenstown or the wider Southern Lakes and looking for a day with a different character, Arrowtown in summer delivers — without the queues, at a pace you can actually enjoy. The river is a ten-minute walk from anywhere. The trails start at the edge of town. The golf courses are among the best in the country.

Here are some of the best outdoor summer activities Arrowtown has to offer.

The long warm days and late sunsets of summer mean more time to enjoy all that Arrowtown has to offer.

Think adventures in the sparkling Arrow River or amongst the native bush, teeing off at an epic golf course, or lazy outdoor dining in afternoon sun. Here are some summer highlights.

1. Cool off in the water

In the height of summer, the weather can be dry and hot and there is nothing better than a splash in the water to cool off. Many locals and visitors head to the Arrow River (Haehaenui) for a swim or splash and you will see children making river dams using schist and other stones or floating in inflatables, people panning for gold or fishing, and groups having picnics.

Get some takeaway coffee from Dishery or Wolf Coffee (if you can, bring a reusable cup with you), ice cream from Patagonia Chocolates, or takeaways from Hole in One Café, Fergbutcher, The Clubhouse Kitchen or a picnic from Rosie's Plate. The open-air Arrowtown Memorial Pool is ideal for those keen to do a few laps, or head to nearby Lake Hayes (Waiwhakaata) for a play and swim in the warm-ish water. The water isn’t glacier-fed so the water gets quite warm in summer and it is also a peaceful option as it isn’t used by jetboats and water skiers.

2. Explore nature

Arrowtown is the gateway to some of the best walks and hikes in New Zealand. Our mammoth trail network takes you into the spectacular backcountry, through forests, beside rivers and lakes, to the very tops of the mountains. In just half an hour you can go from the main street to high above Arrowtown with a breathtaking panorama or deep into native forest beside a chuckling stream. Lace up your walking shoes and get ready to breathe the fresh alpine air and connect with nature on an impressive range of tracks from gentle riverside ambles like the Arrowtown Millennium Trail and Bush Creek to the moderate Tobins Track and Sawpit Gully or the advanced New Chum and Brow Peak.

Many of the trails are also multi-use and can be biked. A popular bike trail includes the spectacular and purpose-built Arrow River Bridges Trail along the river towards Gibbston and the Kawarau Bungy Bridge, and there are also more challenging rides including Murphys Run, Bush Creek XC Loop, and epic bucket list trail Coro net Loop.

3. Play a round of golf

Arrowtown’s golf courses rate among the best in New Zealand and each offers views, sweeping landscapes and challenging holes. The Hills is an exclusive course designed by Sir Bob Charles and dotted with stunning oversized sculptures. Millbrook Resort has two 18-hole championship courses, The Remarkables and Coronet, and is one of the most photogenic places to play golf in the country. Millbrook is also the home of the New Zealand Golf Open. Arrowtown Golf Club meanwhile, has a welcoming club atmosphere and each hole has its own distinct attraction which makes the course diverse and challenging. Among the towering trees on the course, you will even find historic stone cottage ruins that are remnants of Arrowtown's pioneers.

4. Eat al fresco

There’s nothing that says summer like dining outside, and Arrowtown has no shortage of possibilities. Take your pick from a wide range of pubs, cafés and restaurants that are perfect for al fresco dining. Many eateries offer outdoor tables and seating under the shade of sun umbrellas or fruit trees, or on cool verandahs or decks. Enjoy some fresh, local cuisine and drink paired with good company – either with your travelling party or have a chat to some of the friendly locals who will also be wining and dining in the sunshine.

5. Step back in time

Delve deep into Arrowtown’s gold rush history by simply going on a walk around town or use Arrowtown Audio Tour for a more in-depth experience. As you explore, be wowed by the beautiful streetscape with more than 70 heritage buildings, features and trees. Be sure to visit the Police Hut, the old Gaol (jail), the three historic churches and Mary McKillop Cottage, and the Masonic Lodge.

The old Gaol is on Cardigan Street, just a short walk from the centre of Arrowtown. Built in 1876, it was in use until the 1930s (with a one-off use in 1987 for some rowdy New Years partygoers!) and is a rare surviving example of a stone jail. Mary MacKillop cottage is located in the grounds of St Patrick's Catholic Church and was originally built as a miner's house around 1870. It has had various uses over the years including a church school, a convent, and now as a display for the life and work of Sister Mary and the sisters who travelled with her. St Paul's Anglican Church has remained almost unchanged over the last one hundred years aside from a stained glass window which depicts the trees, hills and valleys of the area and the gold from which the town sprang. St Johns Presbyterian Church was built in 1873 and the historic stone church is connected with a more modern hall. The Arrow Kilwinning Lodge (Masonic Lodge) meanwhile, is just up on the hill on Wiltshire Street. The Lodge has been used by Freemasons since 1888 and occasionally it opens for guests so people can view the rare hand-painted friezes and emblems depicting Masonic symbolism.

Visit the Our history page to find out more about Arrowtown's past.

Key Takeaways

• The Arrow River (Haehaenui) is the centrepiece of Arrowtown's summer — swimming, gold panning, fishing and river picnics are all popular with locals and visitors alike.
• Arrowtown is surrounded by world-class golf, including Millbrook Resort and The Hills, home of the NZ Open.
• The trail network opens fully in summer — the Sawpit Gully Loop, Tobins Track and the Arrow River loop are all at their best from December to February.
• Biking the Arrow River trail and the wider trail network around town is a great way to cover more ground in the summer heat.
• Outdoor dining along Buckingham Street and at riverside spots is a highlight of any summer visit — check the directory for venues with al fresco seating.