Macetown from Arrowtown: The Ghost Town a Campervan Can’t Reach

Quick summary: For campervan travellers based in Arrowtown, Macetown is a gold-rush ghost town around 15 km up the Arrow River from Arrowtown, where a few restored buildings and avenues of trees are all that remain of a once-busy mining settlement. It’s one of the most atmospheric day trips in the region, but not one to drive in a campervan or motorhome: the only road is a rough 4WD track with many river crossings, which rental agreements commonly exclude. The way to get there is on a guided 4WD tour, or on foot or by bike for the experienced and well-prepared.

At a glance
Where	Around 15 km up the Arrow River from Arrowtown
Access	A 4WD track with many river crossings
Rental vehicles	Commonly excluded from rental agreements
Best way	A guided 4WD tour
Other options	A long walk or mountain bike ride for experienced visitors
Tours	Self-guided tours, featured tours

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What is Macetown?

During the gold rush, Macetown was a thriving mining town in the upper Arrow valley, with hotels, a school, a bakery and hundreds of residents. When the gold ran out, people drifted away, and by the following century the town was abandoned. Today, the Department of Conservation cares for the site, with a few restored stone buildings, the remains of others, and the tall trees planted by its residents, which turn gold in autumn.

Why can’t you take an RV to Macetown?

Because the road isn’t a road in the usual sense. The track to Macetown follows the bed of the Arrow River and its side streams, with many river crossings, steep and rocky sections, and no room to turn a large vehicle around. Rental agreements commonly exclude it, and insurance won’t cover damage there. River levels can also rise quickly after rain, making crossings dangerous even for 4WD vehicles. Our sister site lists other roads worth checking against your hire terms.

How do you get to Macetown?

Option	What it involves
Guided 4WD tour	Experienced drivers in suitable vehicles, with commentary and often gold panning
Walking	A long day of around 6–7 hours return, with many river crossings
Mountain biking	A demanding ride for experienced riders, with river crossings
The Big Hill track	A walking route over the hills from Arrowtown, joining the river track

Guided tours are by far the easiest option and include stories of the gold rush. Some combine Macetown with Lord of the Rings locations. Browse our featured tours.

What should you know if you walk or ride?

• Check the weather and river levels before setting out, and don’t go after heavy rain.
• Expect wet feet from the river crossings.
• Carry water, food, warm layers and a jacket.
• Tell someone your plans and expected return time.
• Allow a full day.

See mountain biking near Arrowtown.

What can you see in Macetown?

Restored stone buildings, including a former bakery and a miner’s cottage, the remains of foundations and gold workings, and the trees planted by the town’s residents. Information panels explain the town’s history. Some tours include gold panning in the river.

For more gold-rush history, see the Chinese settlement and gold history.

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Frequently Asked Questions