Travel Budget for Arrowtown Visit Arrowtown on a Budget or Travel in Style

The most affordable highest rated hotels in Arrowtown include:

• Arrowtown House Boutique Hotel starting at $239
• The Arrow Hotel Arrowtown starting at $181
• Settlers Cottage Motel starting at $89
• Shades of Arrowtown starting at $109
• Arrowtown Motel starting at $119

Tips to Save Money on Accommodation in Arrowtown

Arrowtown offers a good public transit system, so staying farther from the town might save you on accommodation, though the additional cost and time of commuting can add up.

Arrowtown is known for being family friendly, so when traveling with kids, look for accommodations that offer more space.

If you plan to avoid summer and visit during the low or shoulder season, you'll find cheaper accommodation rates and fewer tourists.

Arrowtown is smaller than some of the other tourist spots, which means hotels may fill up sooner. For travel during summer, it's recommended to book early.

Prices can rise during ski season, so it's important to make reservations early. Many accommodations with easy access to the slopes often fill up fast and can be on the expensive side.

The town's historic old town attracts a lot of visitors. While hotels in the area might be higher in price, they often have unique character and provide easy access to everything around.

Arrowtown is about seven kilometers off highway 6, so it is very easy to reach if you plan on renting a car. There is a great company in New Zealand called Jucy and you can rent everything from small cars to camper vans through them at affordable costs.

There are buses that run from Queenstown to Arrowtown daily through a company called Connectabus. It is probably easiest to reach Arrowtown from Queenstown as not many buses run to Arrowtown from the other surrounding cities. Once in Arrowtown, you can easily get around on foot, as it is such a small town.

Transportation Tips

Check that your hotel has accessible parking if you're planning on driving.

When dining out, the average daily cost for food in Arrowtown is around $52 (NZ$88) per person, with previous travelers spending from $23 to $100. Generally, breakfast and lunch cost less than dinner, but this will depend on the type of restaurant and what you order.

Typical meal prices in Arrowtown are as follows:

• Breakfast: $5 to $16
• Lunch: $8 to $21
• Dinner: $16 to $37
• Coffee: $4
• Fast Food or Street Food: $8

Although Arrowtown is a very small, there are quite a few diverse restaurants in the area to dine at. Agave is a Mexican restaurant in town that has tasty food. Mexican food is hard to come across in New Zealand, so if you are craving it then Arrowtown is definitely a great place to find it. Arrow Thai Food serves authentic Thai cuisine, with a BYO option. A lot of Asian restaurants in New Zealand offer the option to bring your own wine or beer to dinner and charge you only a corking fee of about $5. There is a French restaurant on the main street called Bonjour, it is a great place to sit and have lunch or dinner outside on the main street during the summer months. If you are looking for something more upscale, Postmasters is the place to go. For dessert, Patagonia Chocolates has an array of delicious chocolate and ice cream to choose from.

Food & Dining Tips

If you're on a trip with your kids, find restaurants that offer a kids' menu. This can really help you save money since those options are typically much more affordable. Some places might not show the kids' meals on their menu, so be sure to check with your waiter first.

Numerous hotels offer breakfast as part of the room rate, but some might charge extra for it. The cost and quality can differ from one hotel to another. Being aware of this beforehand can help you determine if you need to allocate additional funds. It could be worth it for a fantastic buffet at the hotel, or you might want to opt for a nearby bakery or cafe that's more budget-friendly.

Stay hydrated with a water bottle instead of purchasing drinks everywhere. It's also great for the environment.

If you're thinking about taking a tour, it's wise to check in advance which meals are covered. You may need to cover some of your own food costs, which could increase your overall budget.

Arrowtown is a settlement that sits on the Arrow River, which is where early pioneers mined for gold back in the 1800's. This river is beautiful to walk along, have lunch next to, or admire from above. There is also a Chinese settlement on the river that was built back in 1868 by the Chinese miners. The shelters have since been restored and is a great place to see to give you an idea of what the town was like during the mining days.

There is a small museum in town, The Lakes District Museum, which is on Buckingham Street (the main street). This museum has exhibits portraying early Maori life, what the gold rush days were like, and some of the hardships the early pioneers faced.

While visiting Arrowtown, you will most likely be engaging in outdoor activities. There are some great hiking trails in and around the town. Tobin's Track brings you up a large hill where you can look out onto the lush green landscapes of Arrowtown and its surroundings. Big Hill and Sawpit Gully are also great hikes. If you are a cyclist, Queenstown Cycle Tours offer a great day trip cycling event from Arrowtown to Queenstown (or vice versa). The best part about this tour is that you get to stop off at vineyards and taste the delicious wine of New Zealand! Another opportunity for cyclists is mountain biking in Macetown, which is an old mining village nearby with withering remains from the 1800's.

Although it is not likely to find any gold in the Arrow River, you can still have a go at gold panning on the river. You can buy or rent pans from the museum. Another popular activity on the river is fishing, there are places on the main street to rent fishing gear from.

April and May are great months to visit Arrowtown, as this is when the trees start to bloom and really bring the town to life with color. If you happen to be there the last week of April, there is a festival in town that celebrates the beauty of the changing of seasons.

Sightseeing Tips

Skiing:
Skiing and snowboarding are major highlights for visitors in Arrowtown. In the area you'll find amazing skiing that ranges from professional level to family-friendly.

Historical Sights:
The historic old town is a popular destination for many visitors. This is a quirky and charming historic mining town that has many cottages and historic buildings. Many places have been restored to maintain their original character.

Hiking:
The hiking around Arrowtown is simply top-notch. Many people use this town as a jumping off point for some of the world's most iconic hikes. You can explore Lord of the Rings country or do one of fifteen different listed walks in the area.

Shopping:
Shopping here is an enjoyable experience. Shopping is an experience in town. Head to Buckingham Street, which is the main street in town. You can wander through a wild west setting with local vendors and quirky galleries.

A nice way to explore destinations in Arrowtown is with local tours that last just a few hours. This way you can see as much as possible in an efficient way with knowledgable guides. Prices vary by the type of activity or tour, the dates, and the size of the group. Here are a few of the highest rated tours by previous visitors:

• From Queenstown: 'Valley of the Vines' Wine and Bike Tour for $89 details
• Queenstown: Arrowtown To Queenstown Biking Adventure for $57 details

Nightlife Tips

The nightlife is always tempting, but cutting down on drinks is an effective way to manage your travel spending.

Always be mindful of your surroundings, especially if you're drinking at night. You could become a target for pickpockets or other crimes, so stick with trusted friends and avoid wandering alone.