History

The Maori first came to Queenstown in search of food, fibre and stone resources. After discovering the moa (a giant flightless bird), and pounamu (greenstone) they visited the area seasonally to hunt and gather greenstone. William Gilbert Rees and fellow explorer Nicholas Von Tunzelman were the first Europeans to settle the area. Rees was in search of pastoral land and he established a high country farm in the location of Queenstown's current town centre. However the Rees’ farming lifestyle was to be short-lived. In 1862 gold was discovered in the Arrow River, a short distance from Queenstown. The nearby Shotover River saw the second largest haul of gold in history, as well as the government's purchase of the town. Picturesque Arrowtown is home to the superb Lakes District Museum, often described as one of New Zealand's best small museums. Wander the banks of the Arrow River and discover life as it was for the thousands of Chinese miners. Their humble village can still be seen tucked into the riverbank.

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