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Museum · Arrowtown, Otago
Lakes District Museum
History museum of Arrowtown and the lake district, housed in a group of historic buildings on Buckingham Street, focused on the gold rush and the early settlers.
Illustrative images. The pictures in this guide are illustrations based on the real place, not photographs, and may differ from it.
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About Lakes District Museum
The Lakes District Museum is on Buckingham Street, Arrowtown’s main street, in a group of historic buildings that includes the old Bank of New Zealand building. The museum tells the story of the Queenstown and lake district region, from Māori presence to the gold rush and the lives of early settlers.
Exhibits display mining tools, everyday objects, photographs and reconstructions of 19th-century shops and houses. One section is dedicated to the Chinese miners, who formed a settlement on the banks of Bush Creek, and another to sheep farming and the tourism that followed.
The museum also advises visitors who want to try recreational gold panning on the Arrow River, where gold was found in 1862. It’s a good first stop to understand the village before walking to the miners’ cottages and the Chinese settlement.
Before you go
Practical information
Cidade Turismo reviews its information regularly, but something may have changed. Check with the place before planning your trip.
How much time to set aside
About 1 to 1½ hours.
Best time
At any time of year, preferably at the start of your visit to Arrowtown. Check opening hours before you go.
How to get there
It is on Buckingham Street in central Arrowtown, near the bus stop from Queenstown.
Tip
A separate admission fee applies; check the current pricing. Ask at the museum about gold panning on the Arrow River if you are interested.
Get your questions answered
Frequently asked questions about Lakes District Museum
What does the Lakes District Museum have?
Exhibits about the gold rush, the early settlers, the Chinese miners and the history of the Queenstown region.
Where is the Lakes District Museum located?
On Buckingham Street, Arrowtown’s main street.
How long does a visit to the Lakes District Museum take?
One to one and a half hours.