Arthurs Point brings together the history of the Shotover River with walking tracks, jet boat rides and bathing experiences. This gives you different time budgets and interests to consider as you plan your trip: a short, easy walk, longer sections of trail or a clearly defined experience on the water. When choosing a holiday apartment, you can consider which of these activities you want to make the focus of your days.
Gold History on the Shotover River
In November 1862, Thomas Arthur found gold in the Shotover River on the beach where Shotover Jet operates. The gold discovery connects the river with the history of the place. The Oxenbridge Tunnel Track offers another glimpse of the past: this short, easy walking track starts in Arthurs Point and leads to a viewpoint overlooking the historic river diversion at the Oxenbridge Tunnel and an old steam engine.
The Hugo Tunnel on the Shotover Gorge Trail also links the track with the region’s mining history. The 108-metre-long tunnel leads directly into the gorge. If you would rather plan a short loop than a longer trail section, the Oxenbridge Tunnel Track offers another way to see historic river structures and machinery.
Canyons and Trails with Different Levels of Difficulty
Shotover Jet is a high-speed jet boat ride through the narrow Shotover Canyons, complete with 360-degree spins. The specially designed boats reach speeds of up to 90 km/h as they glide through the gorge. The experience is therefore clearly geared towards a dynamic ride. As experience formats can change, check the latest information before making plans.
The Shotover Gorge Trail runs 5.5 kilometres one way from Arthurs Point to Tucker Beach. It is graded 3, with short sections at the Hugo Tunnel graded 4. The section from Arthurs Point to the Hugo Tunnel is suitable for families and less experienced cyclists; this suitability applies specifically to that section. Check the latest track updates before setting out, as conditions and closures can change.
The Wharehuanui Trail passes through a different landscape. At its Arthurs Point end, it starts beside Gantley's Tavern and heads east along Arthurs Point Road. Along the way, the trail crosses various wetlands and riparian areas and runs through the foothills of Coronet Peak. The starting point and stated direction are useful landmarks for finding your way at the beginning.
Jet Boat Ride, Canyon Swing or Bathing Time
Shotover Canyon Swing also has its operating site in Arthurs Point. The booking and check-in location, however, is at 34 Shotover Street in central Queenstown. Keep these two locations separate when planning. The experience includes a 60-metre free fall from a 109-metre-high platform, followed by a 200-metre pendulum swing. These measurements give a concrete idea of what the experience involves, without implying a recommendation for every kind of traveller.
Onsen Hot Pools offers a 60-minute bathing experience in the Original Onsen, a hot pool lined with cedar wood. It is designed for 1 to 4 guests and offers views of the Alps. The “Pool for Charity” experience also lasts 60 minutes; 100 percent of the proceeds are donated to a local charity. The two experiences therefore differ in their stated scope and in the purpose of the second experience. Check the latest formats in advance.
A Separate Look at the Queenstown Lakes District
The wider destination of the Queenstown Lakes District includes other historical topics that should not be conflated with the places and trails in Arthurs Point. The public Arrowtown Chinese Settlement is a Category 2 historic site and the last relatively intact Chinese settlement in Otago. It commemorates the Chinese presence on the goldfields of Central Otago. The Lakes District Museum houses artefacts, photographs and films about Māori and Chinese settlers and the pioneering gold rush; a visit offers insights into the history of Queenstown and the Southern Lakes District.
For the Canyon Swing, also distinguish the operating site in Arthurs Point from the check-in location in Queenstown.
Discover more destinations: Wanaka, Moonlight, Dingle Burn, Kingston, Closeburn, Glenorchy, Lake Hayes, Arrowtown.
For the wider travel overview: Queenstown Lakes District.
