| The Arrowtown Garden

Location: Arrowtown, Otago, New Zealand

A miner’s cottage within Arrowtown’s Historic Zone, reimagined through a series of walled outdoor rooms that draw directly from the character of Central Otago.

The garden is anchored by locally quarried Glenorchy and Frankton schist - the same stone that defines Arrowtown’s historic streetscape. Schist walls, terraces, and courtyards connect the original cottage to a contemporary extension, creating dialogue between old and new.

Planting was selected from species naturally suited to the region, including red tussock (Chionochloa rubra), yarrow (Achillea millefolium), Central Otago thyme (Thymus vulgaris), hawthorn, and ‘Arrow Gold’ crab apple.

Designed for Arrowtown’s distinct seasons, the garden balances shelter and exposure through a plunge pool courtyard, cedar hot tub, outdoor fireplace, and covered deck spaces - creating a landscape that feels embedded within its setting year-round.

‘The Arrowtown Garden’ design and construction by Henry Blakely Landscapes

House Architecture – Prau

Photography – Mik Hubert Studio

Contemporary outdoor living area featuring a white gabled building, an architectural pergola over a dining set, stone paving, and a plunge pool.
Elevated view of a mountain-facing timber deck with black luxury outdoor sofas and a long concrete outdoor fireplace insert.
Poolside view showing yellow yarrow flowers blooming beside a plunge pool with a historic-style stone wall backdrop in Arrowtown.
Modern black outdoor sofa layout centered around a minimalist white concrete outdoor fireplace built into a schist stone wall.
Front garden landscape design of a white timber cottage in Arrowtown, featuring a manicured lawn and a textured border of native New Zealand tussock grasses.
A gravel side pathway bordered by white timber siding and a traditional Central Otago schist stone wall with wild yarrow and ornamental grasses.
Vertical shot of a modern white slatted timber pergola attached to a white weatherboard house, sheltering an alfresco dining area.
A modern rectangular plunge pool surrounded by gray stone flagstone paving, white sun loungers, and a rustic schist stone boundary wall.
Minimalist white gooseneck outdoor shower installed on a flagstone patio next to a swimming pool and a stone wall with climbing green plants.
High-angle detail shot of clear blue water over a textured pool step with gray granite pool coping tiles.
A gravel side pathway bordered by white timber siding and a traditional Central Otago schist stone wall with wild yarrow and ornamental grasses.
White sun loungers resting on flagstone paving behind a screen of tall feather reed grasses and a stone wall.
Close-up of a flagstone patio and timber deck transaction zone, heavily planted with flowering yellow perennials, lavender, and tall ornamental grasses.
White metal outdoor dining table and classic filigree chairs positioned on a timber deck under a modern white timber pergola.
Round cedar hot tub nestled into a private courtyard garden with lavender, purple salvia, and tall grasses against a stone wall.
Lush cottage-style planting palette featuring masses of white flowers and tall bronze-tipped ornamental grasses against a stone backdrop.
Close-up detail of white flowering yarrow and purple lavender stalks growing along the edge of a weathered timber deck.
Close-up macro shot of vibrant golden-yellow yarrow flowers blooming in a soft-focus perennial garden border.
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