Arrow Gorge Track
A short DOC track along a water pipeline above the Arrow River, from the Chinese Settlement to the Norman Smith footbridge and the Macetown road.
Published 15 September 2026 · Last checked 18 September 2026 · By Queenstown Pocket
Key facts
Open. DOC's tracks data lists the Arrow Gorge Track as open, and DOC's Arrowtown area alerts carry no notice for it on 18 September 2026. The only DOC alert in the area is damage to the Lake Hayes Walkway from heavy rain on 27 August 2026, and the Queenstown Trails Trust lists closures on nearby trails, so expect mud and check both on the day. The council lists Macetown Road, which the track meets at the Norman Smith footbridge, as closed because of multiple slips and washouts (read 18 September 2026). Checked 18 September 2026 on DOC alerts for the Arrowtown area (opens in a new tab).
- Time
- 25 minutes one way
- Distance
- 1.5 km one way
- Track type
- One way
- Grade
- Easy to intermediate walking track
- Surface
- Mostly well-formed track beside a water pipeline above the river
- Winter
- Care needed in winter
- Starts at
- Across the Bush Creek footbridge from the Arrowtown Chinese Settlement
- Bus
- Route 2 and Route 4 at Ramshaw Lane, 47, about 300 m from the start
- Dogs
- Dogs on a lead
- Bikes
- Shared with bikes
- Toilets
- Council toilets at the Bush Creek Recreation Reserve car park, top of Buckingham Street
- Children
- Short, with narrow steps at the Norman Smith footbridge end
- Cost
- Not published
In short: The Arrow Gorge Track is a 1.5 km one-way walk that DOC times at 25 minutes, following a pipeline above the Arrow River from across Bush Creek at the Arrowtown Chinese Settlement to the Norman Smith footbridge. DOC grades it an easy to intermediate walking track, shared with bikes.
What the track is like
The Arrow River seen from above, a small waterfall where the Sawpit Gully stream drops in about 20 minutes along, and wildflowers and birdsong beside the pipeline.
Start at the Bush Creek footbridge opposite the Chinese Settlement. Destination Queenstown's directions cross the footbridge, turn right, then bear left until you reach the Arrow irrigation pipeline, which the track follows for most of its length. The track rises a little above the Arrow River and runs beside Macetown Road.
About 20 minutes in, DOC notes the point where the Sawpit Gully stream becomes a small waterfall. The track ends at the Norman Smith footbridge, 1.5 km and about 25 minutes from the start, where it meets the Macetown 4WD road. DOC's category for it allows some steep, rough or muddy sections and asks for walking shoes or light boots.
Most people turn at the footbridge and walk back; Destination Queenstown allows 1 hour for the return. DOC notes you can come back along the road instead, but that means crossing the Arrow River, which DOC says rises rapidly in rain and should not be entered in winter. DOC also notes narrow steps at the Norman Smith footbridge. The council has Macetown Road closed because of multiple slips and washouts (read 18 September 2026), so the road is not an option for now.
Longer routes start around the footbridge: Destination Queenstown's Sawpit Gully directions turn off just before it, the New Chum Gully Track finishes at it, and the Macetown 4WD road carries on past it. DOC notes that the Sawpit Gully and New Chum Gully tracks pass through private land and that the Macetown road has 23 unbridged river crossings, so read their own pages before going further.
How to get to the start
Arrowtown is 21 km from central Queenstown, about 25 minutes by car. Park in the council car park at the Bush Creek Recreation Reserve at the top of Buckingham Street, next to the Chinese Settlement, where the council toilets include an accessible one.
Orbus Routes 2 and 4 stop at Arrowtown (Ramshaw Lane), about 330 m from the start, for $2.50 with a Bee Card. No stop is within 1.2 km of the Norman Smith footbridge end, so plan to walk back to Arrowtown.
- Start: Across the Bush Creek footbridge from the Arrowtown Chinese Settlement (directions (opens in a new tab)).
- Parking: Council car park at the Bush Creek Recreation Reserve, top of Buckingham Street (55 spaces in council data)
- From Queenstown: Arrowtown is 21 km and about 25 minutes by car from central Queenstown
- Finish: Norman Smith footbridge, Macetown Road (directions (opens in a new tab)).
- By bus: Orbus Routes 2 and 4 stop at Arrowtown (Ramshaw Lane), about 330 m from the start. No stop is within 1.2 km of the Norman Smith footbridge, so plan to walk back the way you came. Routes and fares are in the bus guide.
Is it open, and what is it like in winter?
Open on 18 September 2026. DOC's tracks data lists the Arrow Gorge Track as open, and DOC's Arrowtown area alerts carry no notice for it on 18 September 2026. The only DOC alert in the area is damage to the Lake Hayes Walkway from heavy rain on 27 August 2026, and the Queenstown Trails Trust lists closures on nearby trails, so expect mud and check both on the day. The council lists Macetown Road, which the track meets at the Norman Smith footbridge, as closed because of multiple slips and washouts (read 18 September 2026). Check DOC alerts for the Arrowtown area (opens in a new tab) on the day; conditions change quickly.
| Season | What to expect |
|---|---|
| Spring (September to November) | Destination Queenstown warns the track gets slippery in spring as well as winter. In spring 2026 check DOC's Arrowtown area alerts first, and do not return by the Macetown road while the river is up. |
| Summer (December to February) | Summer is the easy season. Destination Queenstown notes wildflowers, birdsong and a waterfall along the pipeline, and advises sturdy shoes, water and snacks. |
| Autumn (March to May) | Autumn colour is what Arrowtown is known for, and this short track fits easily around a visit to the Chinese Settlement at its start. |
| Winter (June to August) | Destination Queenstown warns of slippery sections in winter. DOC says the Arrow River should not be entered in the winter months, so walk back along the track rather than taking the road and its river crossings. |
What to know before you go
- The Arrow River can rise rapidly when it rains, and DOC says it should not be entered in the winter months: return along the track, not by fording the river on the Macetown road.
- Past the Norman Smith footbridge the Macetown road has 4WD traffic, blind corners, steep drop-offs and 23 unbridged river crossings (DOC). It is not part of this walk. The council has it closed after multiple slips and washouts.
- Destination Queenstown warns the track gets slippery in winter and spring; wear sturdy shoes with grip.
- Bikes share the track and DOC's brochure marks it for intermediate (Grade 3) cycling, so listen for riders and keep dogs on a lead.
- DOC dates the rain that damaged the nearby Lake Hayes Walkway to 27 August 2026, and the Trust lists closures on other Arrowtown trails; check DOC's Arrowtown area alerts before you set out.
For emergencies call 111. The Queenstown safety guide covers the rest before a long or winter walk.
Questions people ask
How long does the Arrow Gorge Track take?
DOC times it at 25 minutes one way for 1.5 km, and Destination Queenstown allows 1 hour to walk there and back.
Where does the Arrow Gorge Track start and finish?
It starts across the Bush Creek footbridge from the Arrowtown Chinese Settlement and finishes at the Norman Smith footbridge on the Macetown road.
Is the Arrow Gorge Track open?
Yes. DOC's tracks data lists it as open and there was no DOC alert for it on 18 September 2026, but DOC and the Trust list rain damage and closures on other trails near Arrowtown, so check DOC's alerts before you go.
Can I walk back along the Macetown road instead?
Not for now: the council has Macetown Road closed because of multiple slips and washouts (read 18 September 2026). When it is open, DOC says you can, but the road crosses the Arrow River, which rises rapidly in rain and should not be entered in winter, so walking back along the track avoids the river.
Are dogs and bikes allowed on the Arrow Gorge Track?
DOC's brochure marks it dogs on a lead and open to cycling at Grade 3, so expect riders.
Can I get to the Arrow Gorge Track by bus?
Orbus Routes 2 and 4 stop at Arrowtown (Ramshaw Lane), about 330 m from the start, for $2.50 with a Bee Card. No stop is within 1.2 km of the finish.
Is the Arrow Gorge Track the same as the Arrow River Trail?
Destination Queenstown calls this pipeline walk the Arrow River Trail; DOC names it the Arrow Gorge Track. The riverside loop downstream of town is the Arrowtown Millennium Walk.
Nearby walks
- Chinese Settlement
Under 1 hour, at your own pace · Wheelchair accessible short walk
- Sawpit Gully loop
7.9 km loop · About 3 hours loop · Intermediate/Advanced
- Arrowtown Millennium Walk
4 km loop · 1 hour (loop) · Grade 2, easy
- Macetown
15 km one way · 3 to 4 hours one way on foot; 1 to 2 hours one way by mountain bike · Intermediate (river crossings)
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Sources: DOC, Queenstown day walks and bike trails brochure (March 2025), 17. Arrow Gorge Track and 23. Macetown 4WD road (opens in a new tab), DOC, Arrowtown area (alerts) (opens in a new tab), Destination Queenstown, Arrowtown walks (Arrow River Trail entry) (opens in a new tab), Queenstown Lakes District Council, parks assets data: reserve car parks (opens in a new tab), Queenstown Lakes District Council, parks assets data: toilets (opens in a new tab), Otago Regional Council, Orbus GTFS timetable feed (feed 260408-1230) (opens in a new tab), Queenstown Pocket, Queenstown drive times (opens in a new tab) and Queenstown Lakes District Council, Roading impacts in Queenstown Lakes (28 August 2026, updated since) (opens in a new tab), retrieved 18 September 2026. Distances, times and grades are the managing body's published figures; fit walkers are often quicker. Department of Conservation information is used under CC BY 4.0. Start coordinates: OpenStreetMap contributors (ODbL). This independent guide is published by Tally Sphere Limited, a New Zealand company. Spotted a change? Report a problem with this page and the page address comes with your email.
All walks: Queenstown walks and tracks.