A little something about us…

Arrowtown is known around the globe for its charming streets and stunning natural surrounds, especially in Autumn as the trees dazzle us with vibrant colours… Most famously of all, Arrowtown is known for its gold! Once a quiet gold mining village, now a must see - and gold panning in Arrowtown is a must do!

As you get lost in the atmosphere, imagine yourself as a prospector - arriving on frosty Arrowtown morning, wading through the brisk Arrow River, patiently panning for the remains of a fast and prosperous gold rush until sunset comes and it’s time to put down the gold pan and shovel.

Keeping that mindset, come and visit the The Arrowtown Gold Panning Co. at the Lakes District Museum, 49 Buckingham Street - you’ll see our panning set up as you look down from Buckingham Street, outside the museum.

We’ll teach you how to pan, with our effective and easy method - and when you take a lesson with us we guarantee you’ll find real gold - which you get to keep!

With your new set of skills - hire a pan from the museum and head down to the river to find your very own gold, just like back in 1862! Don’t worry… we let you know the secret spots!

Visited us in the past? The gold panning has moved from Dudley’s Cottage Precinct to the Museum!

About The Lakes District Museum

The Lakes District Museum was established in 1948 as a Centennial of Otago project. Appropriately set in the former gold mining town of Arrowtown, the museum started life in the billiard rooms of the Ballarat Hotel before shifting to our current home, the former Bank of New Zealand building, in 1955. Over the last 60 years, through innovative direction, the museum is now recognised as one of New Zealand’s leading small museums.

The Lakes District Museum is much more than a museum in the conventional sense; hence its popularity with local residents and visitors from all around the world. The museum has a strong hands-on focus, presenting an authentic picture of early Maori life and the harsh pioneering days of the European settlers and goldminers through working displays covering two floors and incorporating three historic buildings.

The museum also houses an art gallery, bookshop, archives and research facility and a busy education programme. We also own and operate Arrowtown's historic Post Office.

The museum's principle objective is to promote and maintain a museum for the benefit of the population of the Lakes District, tourists and visitors to the district. Our objective is to foster interest in the history and relics of the district.

The museum is also heavily involved in the protection and preservation of the districts built heritage, especially in Arrowtown. While in Arrowtown, take a walk around to admire the historic buildings sprinkled throughout the village. Ask at reception for more in-depth information on the series of walks you can do to embrace the heritage of this gorgeous town.