The secret hiking peaks of Arrowtown

Most visitors who come to Arrowtown for walking stick to the well-marked tracks: the Sawpit Gully Loop, Tobins Track, the river path. All worth doing. But if you have already ticked those off, or if you are the kind of walker who wants a proper summit rather than a lookout, the terrain around Arrowtown has a lot more to offer.

Arrowtown sits at the edge of the Mahu Whenua parkland, one of the largest areas of privately protected high-country land in New Zealand. The peaks above town are real mountains — exposed ridgelines, alpine zones, the kind of views where you can see all the way across the Whakatipu Basin. And compared to Roy's Peak or Ben Lomond across in Queenstown, they are quiet.

Here are Arrowtown's secret peaks — for the hikers who want more than a walk in the hills.

Arrowtown is the gateway to the incredibly scenic Mahu Whenua parkland and its many walking tracks and routes.

The Sawpit Gully Loop and Tobins Track are all very popular but they just scratch the surface of what’s on offer here. If you’re looking for a real hill to climb or a quieter alternative to busy Roy’s Peak, Ben Lomond and Queenstown Hill, then look no further than Arrowtown’s secret peaks.

1. Brow Peak

Brow Peak is the highest, most impressive peak that you can see looking towards the north from Arrowtown. At 1456m, it is a good solid hike up to the summit. The official route starts on the Sawpit Gully Loop before heading through beech forest to the Big Hill Saddle then along a ridge to the peak. It is a mostly poled track with a big gain in altitude into the alpine zone, so you will need to be fit, experienced and properly equipped. It is also a hike best done in spring or summer in good conditions as the final section is along a rocky ridge that is exposed to the wind.

2. Mt Beetham

Mount Beetham is an extra 250m uphill from the summit of Tobins Track, and although it is an uphill slog it is worth it for the views. Just keep following the dirt road around the corner and you’ll find a poled route up this cone-shaped peak. If you are fit enough, you can make the walk into a loop using the steep and rough Tobins Drop track which drops down to the Millennium Walkway, or just simply return the way you came.

3. Crown Peak

Queenstown’s famous Ben Lomond and Arrowtown’s Crown Peak have a lot in common. They’re about the same height (at 1735m, Crown Peak is just 13m smaller), both offer sensational 360° views from the summit rocks, and both are challenging full-day hikes. But they differ spectacularly in one important way. On Ben Lomond, you will likely have to share the trail with hundreds of other walkers, but on Crown Peak, you might not see anyone else all day.

There are several options to start and finish the walk, all of them converging at the Crown Peak Track. You’ll need to be fit and well-equipped, bearing in mind there is no protection from the sun or adverse weather on this hike.

From left to right: The views from Brow Peak, Mount Beetham, and Crown Peak.

For more detailed information on these hikes, take a look at the Mahu Whenua map.

Key Takeaways

• Arrowtown sits at the gateway to the Mahu Whenua parkland — one of New Zealand's largest areas of privately protected high-country land.
• Brow Peak (1,456m) is the most prominent summit visible from Arrowtown and offers a serious full-day hike with genuine alpine character.
• These peaks are a quieter alternative to Queenstown's Roy's Peak and Ben Lomond, with comparable views and far fewer people on the track.
• Most of the higher routes start via the Sawpit Gully Loop before heading into the backcountry — good navigation skills and the right gear are essential.
• Spring and summer are the best seasons for these peaks — the exposed upper sections carry real risk in winter or unsettled weather.