The best way to comparatively describe Arrowtown is if a wild western town and a rural English village parented a new aesthetic. It feels romantically frozen in time, antiquated, a rural English village 100 years ago (to make the comparison most familiar). Though Arrowtown is of course entirely its own cultural entity. Arrowtown is a place of preservation, both in architecture and the working class spirit from many centuries before.
It is a town that pays homage to the Otago Gold rush of the 19th century and the lives of miners who inhabited this small corner of the world. The Chinese village settlement is still a popular tourist attraction and window into the lives of early miners, along with multiple humble museums and gold panning initiatives in the Arrow river. The image of Millbrook resort below, where we work, is a great example of Arrowtown’s historic architectural identity.
Not only in its architecture, but in the communal imagination Arrowtown is a place unabridged from the modern world and unburdened by 21st century revolution. The town covets natural conservation and the preservation of a golden age. It is everything rural English romanticism dreams of. Arrowtown reminds me of the Yorkshire dales, despite obvious topographical differences. So naturally we felt right at home. There are no chain supermarkets, bottle stores or vape shops. Only boutique shops, independent retailers and small markets.
Arrowtown is very much akin to the Wild West, at least the Wild West depicted in western film. Its emphasis on the gold rush and saloon like architecture all point to American influence. But of course historic Arrowtown, despite the parallels I have drawn to the English historicism and the Wild West aesthetic, is ultimately a preserved timestamp of New Zealand history. Arrowtown is proud of its local history and displays it everywhere. This is only added to by its natural setting, the town is one with its surroundings, not at odds with it.
Arrowtown is most likely recognised by visitors as the small town next to the tourism giant Queenstown. Arrowtown has all the beauty of Queenstown, but a greater sense of homeliness and community. Whilst Queenstown is the playground of tourists, Arrowtown is a haven for travellers and settlers. It has the same feeling as many small New Zealand towns, but is set apart by the unparalleled beauty of the Queenstown-lakes district.
Arrowtown is the neighbour to Queenstown, both blessed with incredible alpine views and stunning lakes, but bearing opposite personalities. Arrowtown and Queenstown are really testaments to how setting is only a small facet of what makes a town. But ultimately arrowtown is not at odds with queenstown, but part and parcel of the queenstown district. It is a sister town. A different dimension to the multifaceted district.
Looking from the Queenstown junction, Arrowtown is nestled in the arms of a large forest, so in autumn these trees all turn shades of red, orange and gold. Not to be dramatic, but it is an autumn transition you will seldom find elsewhere in the world. The pure number of trees that paint the town red and orange is a sight I will never forget. It is well coveted in Autumn for this reason. We were fortunate enough to spend the entire season working in Arrowtown and our daily commute was nothing short of spectacular. The Arrowtown autumn festival pays ode to this magical season.
Arrowtown is a small town, with one high street and a couple of miles of homes. But it will occupy a large space in our New Zealand memories. We spent countless hours biking aside the Arrow river, relaxing at Lake Hayes reserve and of course working at Millbrook. Alongside Queenstown, it is the place we wish most we could share with all our friends and family. I hope I have painted a vivid enough picture that you can all share at least imaginatively in our Arrowtown adventure.
