Discovering History in Arrowtown

As much as we liked the vibe and energy of Queenstown, it was definitely a tourist town. Meaning everything was expensive, from the activities and the restaurants to the campsites and the grocery stores (In other words, it is very easy to blow your budget here). So after about a week, we were ready to move on.

Arrowtown was our last stop in the area before making our way east towards Dunedin. About 20 minutes northeast of Queenstown, this small historic gold-mining town definitely had a different vibe then the "Adventure Capital of the World."

With its quiet charm and laid-back atmosphere, we couldn't get enough of this place and ended up spending a whole day there wandering the streets and absorbing the rich history.

There was an inexpensive museum you can visit:

But who needs a museum when the very streets you walk on look like they come right out of an exhibit!

The library

Saffron was apparently frequented by the Lord of the Rings cast while filming in the area. We thought about eating there ourselves but the prices scared us away...

There was a lot more to see in Arrowtown other than the little shops and restaurants on main street. As we continued further down the road, we came across a street lined with miner's cottages that had been built in the late 1800s and later restored:

On the other side of town we spent about an hour exploring the Chinese Settlement, which had been established by Chinese gold seekers in the mid-late 1800s:

A sign near the entrance.  Can you read the Chinese, mom? :)
(Click the picture to zoom)

Stone outhouse

Ah Lum's store

The interior of Ah Lum's store; surprisingly small considering it was a community meeting place for gold seekers.

In conclusion, if Andy and I ever decide to retire in New Zealand, Arrowtown would be a top contender. This cute little town has a ton of history and is appealing in more ways than one. The Arrow River, where gold was first discovered in 1862, continues to attract gold miners to this day. And you can bet Andy wouldn't pass up an opportunity like this...

Stay tuned!