About Arrowtown

Arrowtown

Arrowtown developed as a result of the gold rush in 1862 and many of the buildings in the town either date back to this era or have been built to reflect the historic nature of the town. Today the town is a popular place for both kiwis and overseas travellers to visit.

Arrowtown is a pleasant 20 minute drive from the busy bustling adventure capital of the world, Queenstown. If you are looking for a relaxing place to stay after a busy day, then Arrowtown is the place for you.

Situated next to the Arrow River, the town is small but has excellent restaurants, cafes, bars and even a small cinema with its own bar. Activities range from exploring the local area on foot, by bicycle or 4WD, wine tasting or lunch at one of the local vineyards, relaxing by picturesque Lake Hayes with a picnic or participating in one of the many adventure activities in the area such as paragliding, rafting, bungy jumping, rock climbing, jet boating and horse riding to name but a few. The local museum is well worth a visit with informative displays covering the interesting and varied history of the region.

Poplar Lodge, established in 2002,  is the ideal base for exploring Arrowtown and the wider Southern Lakes region. Whether you want to relax or seek adventure or are visiting friends, we have the knowledge and time to make sure your stay in Arrowtown is memorable.    

Seasons

Arrowtown has four distinct seasons, each one offering many reasons to visit the town.

Summer days are long and the temperatures are warm (ranging between 20-30 C). The perfect time to relax in the sun, head out into the hills on foot, by bike or 4WD or visit Lake Hayes with a picnic. The more adventurous can experience some of the many activities that the region is famous for - paragliding, bungy jumping and rafting to name a few.

Autumn brings colour to the region with artists and photographers  flocking to Arrowtown to capture the spectacular scenery. The Arrowtown Autumn Festival is always popular with both locals and visitors to celebrate fall and the region.

Winter brings snow and with it the excitement of alpine sports. Arrowtown is an excellent place to base yourself to enjoy some skiing and boarding, being centrally located to Coronet Peak, The Remarkables and Cardrona ski fields. Travelling time is between 20 and 50 minutes.  After a hard day up the mountain you can return to central heating and hot showers at Poplar Lodge before heading out into town for dinner or drinks.

Spring is a welcome relief after a long cold snowy winter. Buds on the trees and spring blossom give the region colour, and the warmth of the sun draws us outside to enjoy some walking, biking and fishing. Time also to enjoy the last of the snow on the ski fields with some spring skiing.