Places to eat and relax

There’s nothing like a little local knowledge when planning a long weekend or get-away. Having lived in Arrowtown (part time) for several years, I know the place pretty well. Here are some great suggestions for places to eat and activities to do, that will make your active relaxing holiday the best.

Aryburn

Aryburn is a brand new multi-faceted restaurant and bar precinct in the Arrowtown region. It has something for everyone. It’s located on the Arrowtown- Lake Hayes Road.

For many years the land had been farmed, until developer, Chris Meehan bought it from Adrian Burr in 2015. Since then, he has  quietly deconstructing and reconstructing the old farm buildings, including the woolshed, stables, cart shed, and dairy building. None of this can be seen from the road, so when the doors opened in November 2023, the community was surprised and excited  about this great addition to the Wakatipu Basin.

To date the Woolshed restaurant is open for casual dining, the Manure Room is available for wine tastings, drinks and snacks and The Burr Bar, named after Adrian Burr is an intimate and luxurious bar, oozing decadence. But this is not all. There is a Dell, a large central gathering place with a stage for music and events, and The Dairy, selling ice-creams.

The complex is not finished and The Barrel Room, the Bake House, Billy’s fine dining restaurant and a speciality meat store, all to open soon.

While the number of eating and drinking facilities is impressive, what’s even more extraordinary is the way this precinct has been rebuilt. The reconstruction of the original farm buildings has been done immaculately. Even the original sunken roof of the cart shed has been retained.

I’ve eaten at the Woolshed and meandered through the property, but this won’t be the last time. Over the summer months I feel this will become a sanctuary for our family, and as I said before, there is something here for everyone.

La Rumbla

La Rumbla is our ‘go to’ restaurant in the heart of Arrowtown’s historic village. They serve shared tapas, in a vibrant, but relaxed atmosphere. The menu is forever changing with Spanish inspired dishes that will arouse your taste buds. In particular their ceviche is not to be missed. They also make exceptional cocktails. Bookings essential.

Aosta

Just down the road from La Rumbla in Arrowtown’s main street, Buckingham Street, is Aosta.

This small restaurant is first class. Go hungry so you can work through the menu from their antipasti to dolci, or try their degustation menu. Don’t be afraid of some of their more creative dishes, such as Kina Pappardelle. It is delicious. Bookings essential.

Blue Door

If you feel like a night cap, head to the Blue Door right next door to Aosta. If you’re lucky there might be live music playing. It’s the cutest bar in the world, with a scruffy blue door made for hobbits. Unless you knew it existed, you would walk right past it. They also make wonderful cocktails, so it’s also great place for an aperitif before dinner too. On occasion they have excellent live music.

Mora

This is the place for a casual, chilled, long lunch in Arrowtown, hence the Latin name ‘Mora’ meaning linger. (Mora was previously called Akarua). Their fabulous menu is unchanged and these are my favourite dishes. Bookings are essential.

*Warm bread with porcini and truffle butter 

*Scallop ceviche with coconut and kaffir lime rice cracker

*Royal Burn Lamb Oyster Shoulder

*Twice cooked potatoes with chipotle mayo 

*A crisp green salad

Provisions

After your early morning walk along the Arrow River, head to Provisions for a good coffee and breakfast. Their menu is delicious. You can sit outside in their delightful garden. If you don’t feel like eggs bene, go for a less traditional  breakfast and have duck fried rice.

Royalburn Farm Shop

Very close to Provisions, is Nada Lim’s Royalburn Farm Shop. It’s a small, rustic shop selling produce from her farm as well as preserves, and many delicious artisan products. If you are looking to put together a cheese board, find a special cut of meat, or want really fresh vegetables, head to the farm shop.

Raeward Fresh

Between Queenstown and Arrowtown is Frankton, well serviced with regular supermarkets, however, there is another secret, Raewood Fresh. It’s at the back of Queenstown, off Gorge Road. It is a specialist supermarket, with a butcher, incredible fresh fruit and vegetables, flowers, delicious pre prepared meals, a cafe and almost any artisan food product you are looking for from red wild rice, buratta and even fresh truffles when in season.

Outdoor activites

Swimming hole

Locals will be cross I’m sharing this secret. Arrowtown has a spectacular swimming hole. It’s not sign posted and can be hard to find. Drive to the corner of Arrowtown Junction Road and Morven Ferry Road where you’ll find a car park. Walk to the right, past a green long-drop loo (toilet) and follow the rugged path to the river. It takes about five minutes.

The first glimpse you’ll get of the water, is a narrow fast moving segment. Keep walking, until the canal opens up into the most picturesque, beautiful swimming hole. Take a picnic and enjoy the afternoon under the shade of one of the beautiful willows.

Bike the Gibbston Valley

There are a number of companies hiring bikes and e-bikes in Arrowtown. Get sorted with a bike that suits your fitness level and ride the grade 1 (easy) trail from Arrowtown to the Gibbston Valley. You’ll ride over several swing bridges and the old Kawarau Bridge where AJ Hacket operate their bungy jumping experience. From the bridge or the viewing platform you can watch the fearless launch themselves into the ether.

After the Kawarau Bridge their a number of vineyards, great for a wine tasting or lunch. My favourite is Kinross at the end of the ride. The ride from Arrowtown to Kinross is approximately 27 Kilometres. Bookings at Kinross are essential.

Walk the Arrow River and explore the Historic Chinese Gold Miners Settlement

There are multiple places you can enter the Arrowtown River walk, although my suggestion would to start right in Arrowtown. Here you can explore the Chinese Gold Miners Village and learn about the goldrush of the 1860’s. The settlement is a re creation of the village were 60 Chinese gold miners lived during the goldrush. Their basic huts would have been freezing in the harsh winters. But, worse, they were marginalised and kept separate from the European settlers and not treated well.

They made a significant contribution to the region and according to the 1874 Census, there were over 3,500 Chinese workers in the region at that time.

Having explored the gold miners settlement, walk the Arrow River loop staying on the right of the river. Cross at the second bridge and enjoy the walk back on the other side of the river.

Walk Lake Hayes

Lake Hayes is a beautiful recreational lake, between Queenstown and Arrowtown. It’s easily accessible from multiple points, but the most popular is the Lake Hayes Pavilion on Highway 6. The loop around the lake can be walked or biked. The northern end of the lake is best for picnics and swimming with road access to the lake edge. The complete loop is eight kilometres, and takes about 1 ½ – 2 hours.

Skiing

Coronet Peak is the closest ski-able mountain to Arrowtown, about 20- 30 minutes to drive. There is a great mix of beginner and intermediate slopes. For the non-skiers, ride the gondola and enjoy magnificent views over the Wakatipu Basin. The mountain typically opens for skiing in mid June and runs until early October, assuming there has been a good snow fall. Mountain biking is also available in the summer.

Golf  

If you’re a golfer, you’ll be spoilt for choice with the golf courses in the region. These two courses are in the heart of Arrowtown.

Millbrook Resort

Millbrook has two eighteen hole courses, The Remarkables and Coronet. Both are spectacular. Coronet was recently completed after the purchase of Mills Farm. 

Relax after your game with a drink at Smithies Bar, or the Hole in One at Millbrook. This golf resort has great ambiance and is picture perfect.

Arrowtown Golf Club

In the heart of Arrowtown is this delightful local golf club with a great vibe and a challenging course. The golf course spans both sides of the road and the narrow fairways will have you working hard at your game.

For those looking for additional golf options Jacks Point and The Hills are both world class courses in the vicinity.

So much to do in a beautiful part of the world. I hope you enjoy some of these suggestions.