It might be hard to believe how Gold Rush ended up in New Zealand. Yet the Otago region on the South Island was once a hotspot for those in search of gold. Even in the show Brokenwood Mysteries, season eight features an episode all about the quest for gold.

That being said, today I want to speak to you about Arrowtown, a cozy little town near Queenstown in the Region of Otago.

It has a population of fewer than 3,000. The town was built along the Arrow River because of the gold rush. Even today, people still live in buildings dating back to the 1800s.

I haven’t been there, but I guess it has mild temperatures, but, but! includes all 4 seasons. Meaning that, you will see the transition in between the seasons.

This small town is surrounded by mountains. Some of them are bare, without trees or forests, while others are covered in them. Together, though, they give Arrowtown a rare beauty. All around it, there are ski fields—but that part doesn’t really matter to me.

From the photos I’ve seen, it’s the cafés with tables set out in front of the shops, the street-side coffee spots—like the ones Frodo in The Brokenwood Mysteries has, often called coffee trailers or carts—and the various festivals, especially the Autumn Festival, that make me want to see it all up close.

I’m not saying it’s perfect. But I have a feeling that one of our best trips could be travelling to New Zealand’s South Island in autumn or winter—say April or May, or even June and July. I could even say it might be a very good place to live forever, if you’re able to pursue your hobbies and, most importantly, if there’s a research lab nearby where I could work.

Imagine buying one of those cozy houses, warming it up in winter, and sitting with your family in front of the television, watching a film and simply enjoying the moment. The fireplace is keeping you warm, and you’re drinking smoky tea with your loved ones.

Watching those scenes, just the town, the houses, the streets, gives out a really safe, calm, cozy vibe. I can see myself putting on my boots, and walking by the quiet, cozy streets.