An Arrowtown Weekend by Campervan: Village, Trails and Gibbston

Quick summary: A weekend in Arrowtown is a relaxing campervan break with almost no driving. Collect the campervan or motorhome near Queenstown Airport, drive 20 minutes to Arrowtown’s holiday park, and spend the weekend on foot and by bike: the heritage village and Chinese settlement on the first afternoon, the Arrow River Bridges ride to Gibbston’s cellar doors on the second day, and Lake Hayes and the Crown Range lookout before you head home.

At a glance
Length	2–3 days
Start and finish	Queenstown
Total driving	Around 60–90 km
Base	Arrowtown holiday park, all nights
Highlights	The village, the Arrow River Bridges ride, Gibbston, Lake Hayes
Tours	Bike and wine tours, featured tours

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Day 1: Pickup and the village (around 20 km)

Collect the vehicle near Queenstown Airport, stock up in Frankton, and drive to Arrowtown. After settling in at the holiday park, walk Buckingham Street, visit the Lakes District Museum and follow the river to the Chinese settlement. Have dinner in the village. See Queenstown Airport to Arrowtown and our self-guided village walk.

Day 2: Bike and wine to Gibbston (no driving)

Hire bikes in the village and ride the Arrow River Bridges trail to the Kawarau Gorge Suspension Bridge, watching the bungy jumpers, then follow the Gibbston River Trail to the cellar doors for tastings and lunch. Take the shuttle back to Arrowtown. Or join a guided bike and wine tour. See bike and wine to Gibbston.

Day 3: Lake Hayes, the Crown Range and back (around 40–70 km)

Drive or ride to Lake Hayes at dawn for the reflections, then drive up the Crown Range to the zigzag lookout for the view over the basin. Return to Arrowtown for brunch, then drive back to the depot near the airport. See Lake Hayes and Millbrook and the Crown Range and Cardrona.

Can you do an Arrowtown RV weekend in just two days?

Yes. Combine Days 1 and 3: arrive, walk the village and stay the night, then ride to Gibbston the next day before returning the vehicle. You’ll need to return the bikes and get back to the depot within its hours, so check timings when booking.

What are the alternatives to the bike and wine day?

• A guided wine tour to Gibbston, collecting from Arrowtown. See wine tours.
• A Lord of the Rings tour. See Lord of the Rings locations.
• A 4WD tour to Macetown. See Macetown.
• Mountain biking in the hills. See mountain biking near Arrowtown.

What should you book ahead?

The holiday park, bikes and shuttles, and any tours, especially in summer, autumn and on long weekends.

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Frequently Asked Questions