New Zealand Cycle Trail:
Queenstown Cycle Trail
Where
Queenstown to Queenstown
Duration
5 days / 4 nights
Fitness
NZ$2,395
Thinking ahead, book now for next summer!
Dates available now for next summer:
- Start Date Status
- Tue 5 Nov 2024Last 4 places
- Mon 11 Nov 2024FULL
- Tue 19 Nov 2024Last 4 places
- Mon 25 Nov 2024
- Tue 10 Dec 2024
- Tue 14 Jan 2025
- Tue 28 Jan 2025
- Tue 11 Feb 2025
- Mon 17 Feb 2025
- Tue 25 Feb 2025
- Mon 3 Mar 2025
- Tue 11 Mar 2025
- Mon 17 Mar 2025
- Mon 24 Mar 2025
- Mon 7 Apr 2025
- Tue 22 Apr 2025
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The Queenstown Cycle Trail starts in Otago’s world-renowned Wakatipu Basin.
Queenstown’s reputation as one of the world’s favourite adventure and cycling destinations is enhanced with the addition of this New Zealand cycle tour. The new Queenstown Cycle Trail is part of the New Zealand Cycling Trails network and unveils stunning new vistas, hidden ruins, spectacular architecture and world-class food and wine.
The cycle trail meanders through some of New Zealand’s most breathtaking scenery, taking in the stunning landscapes of Lake Hayes, Frankton and Queenstown, Arrowtown, Gibbston Valley, Clyde, Alexandra (Roxburgh Gorge Cycle Trail), Roxburgh (Clutha Gold Cycle Trail), The Dunstan Cycle Trail and Wanaka and brings to you 5 days of spectacular cycling and local experiences.
For the first time ever, you can cycle across unspoilt private land… over mighty suspension bridges, ride alongside six iconic rivers and six lakes… all set in dramatic landscapes, some used for the now famous Lord of the Rings films.
- Roxburgh Gorge Cycle Trail – Discover another world. This cycle trail offers a wilderness experience through the remote and stunning Roxburgh Gorge. Sit back and become immersed in the splendid isolation that is the Roxburgh Gorge.
- Clutha Gold Cycle Trail – A journey of discovery – Ride alongside the powerful Clutha Mata-au River, through a secluded valley and gorge network and into lush green farmland. It is an easy grade trail that is full of variety, from undulating to flat to meandering.
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Lake Dunstan Cycle Trail – You will be amazed at the skills of trail builders with sections built out around sheer rock faces.You will cycle at the base of the stonework faces of the Cairnmuir slide, a unique feature high on the slopes above the lake. It was designed to protect the river from a major land slide, which could overwhelm the Clutha Dam, a short distance downstream. Also look out for the drainage tunnels dotted along the length of the gorge. There are 13 tunnels (total 18.5km of tunnels) drilled into the hillsides of the gorge in the mid 1990’s. These tunnels are also used to mitigate against landslips into the Clutha River.A dominant feature at the Clyde end of the trail is New Zealand’s third largest hydro-dam, the Clyde Dam. This was one of the ‘’Think Big” projects driven by the Muldoon led Government to diversify the economy and drive growth. Started construction 1977. The first power was generated in 1992
Tour Itinerary
NZ$2,395
Day 1 Queenstown to Arrowtown
Location: Motel - Arrowtown
Distance:
38km
You will be collected from your accommodation between 8:00 and 9:00am
We then travel to Kelvin Heights where your guide will fit you out with your bike. You will bike through the world famous Queenstown landscape sidling beneath the willow trees alongside the Frankton Arm on the Kelvin Peninsula of Lake Wakatipu taking in the views of the peaks – the Remarkable Ranges, Cecil & Walter Peaks as well as Ben Lomond – which are stunning and provide a wonderful backdrop to this ride.
You then ride to the Shotover River past the airport and on to Lake Hayes. (24km)
On arrival at Lake Hayes you will complete a circumnavigation of this idyllic lake (8km)
After the ride around Lake Hayes you then ride on to finish the day in Arrowtown. (6km)
From here to you drive to your overnight accommodation.
Day 2 Arrowtown to Gibbston, Clyde and Alexandra
Location: Motel - Alexandra or Clyde
Distance:
38km
Today we drive from our accommodation to Arrowtown where Day 2 begins. You cycle from Arrowtown along the Arrow River crossing over two very impressive suspension bridges and over the historic Kawarau Bridge to the AJ Hackett bungy centre (13km).
Take a break and watch tourists take their jumps, before we continue cycling into the Gibbston Valley, high above the mighty Kawarau River, to a boutique winery where we enjoy a picnic vineyard platter lunch (11km).
After lunch relax on the bus for the scenic drive following the Kawarau River to Clyde.
The afternoon cycle is a 14km ride beneath the willow trees, from Clyde to Alexandra, following the Clutha River.
Day 3 Roxburgh Gorge Trail and Clutha Gold Trail
Location: Modern Lakeside Lodge or Motel - Lake Roxburgh
Distance:
47km
This morning we travel a short distance to Alexandra where the Roxburgh Gorge Cycle Trail begins. The trail through the Roxburgh Gorge is just stunning and will take your breath away. A 10km cycle is followed by a scenic jet boat transfer from Doctors Point to Shingle Creek, followed by another 10km cycle to the Roxburgh Dam.
At the Roxburgh Dam we start the Clutha Gold cycle trail to Millers Flat (27km).
This section features orchards as well as gold mining relics which makes for a very pleasant scenic ride.
At Millers Flat we finish for the day, and then travel to our overnight accommodation in Roxburgh.
Day 4 Roxburgh to Lake Dunstan Cycle Trail
Location: Lakeside Hotel - Cromwell
Distance:
54.3km
After breakfast we head away on the bus to start today’s journey which will take us back to Clyde where we head off on the Lake Dunstan Cycle Trail.
Lake Dunstan Cycle Trail – You will be amazed at the skills of trail builders with sections built out around sheer rock faces.
You will cycle at the base of the stonework faces of the Cairnmuir slide, a unique feature high on the slopes above the lake. It was designed to protect the river from a major land slide, which could overwhelm the Clutha Dam, a short distance downstream. Also look out for the drainage tunnels dotted along the length of the gorge. There are 13 tunnels (total 18.5km of tunnels) drilled into the hillsides of the gorge in the mid 1990’s. These tunnels are also used to mitigate against landslips into the Clutha River.
A dominant feature at the Clyde end of the trail is New Zealand’s third largest hydro-dam, the Clyde Dam. This was one of the ‘’Think Big” projects driven by the Muldoon led Government to diversify the economy and drive growth. Started construction 1977. The first power was generated in 1992
As the trail continues past Cornish Point it passes by vineyards and olive groves – with views back across to Cromwell and the Heritage Precinct. Along the way there are sections where the land has been reshaped in the search for gold and then again when the lake was formed.
Following the Kawarau arm of Lake Dunstan to the Bannockburn bridge, you will have amazing vistas across the lake to Bannockburn vineyards and the next section of trail which loops back round on the opposite side.
The Trail then wends its way alongside Lake Dunstan from Cromwell via Pisa Moorings to Smiths Way the final stop of your Lake Dunstan Cycle Trail journey.
For the balance of the afternoon relax at your Lakeside accommodation.
Day 5 Lake Hawea and the Hawea River Trail to Wanaka
Distance:
27km
Today we head away on the bus and drive to our starting point on the shores of Lake Hawea.
Our ride takes us along the shores of this remote and spectacular lake.
The first part of our ride finishes in the small lakeside settlement of Lake Hawea.
Here we join the picturesque Hawea River cycle trail. The track is well maintained with a few uneven patches as it travels through kanuka groves, woodland and along river terraces where it joins the Newcastle and Upper Clutha tracks to Albertown. From here we ride along the Outlet Track beside the Clutha River to Lake Wanaka.
An excellent relaxing ride alongside this crystal river to finish off our riding tour around this world renowned outdoor paradise.
From Wanaka we journey back to Queenstown and the finish of the tour.
You will arrive in Queenstown at approximately 4 to 4:30pm.
Gallery
What’s Included
Accommodation
Each night you will stay in comfortable hotel, motel or bed and breakfast accommodation.
Rooms are double (one queen or king bed) or twin (2 separate beds). If you have a preference for a twin room, please let us know when you make your booking. All rooms have their own ensuite bathroom.
If you are a single traveller, you can nominate to share a room with another single of the same gender or pay an additional single supplement to secure a private room for the duration of the tour.
The single room supplement for this tour is $545
Bike Hire
An experienced guide
Our guides are very experienced, friendly walkers and bikers who love to share their knowledge of New Zealand’s flora and fauna and local history. They all hold current first aid certificates, passenger driving licences and are the very best people to ensure your experience will be one to remember.
Food
You will enjoy great local cuisine; continental breakfasts and hearty packed lunches during the day, and either restaurant meals or wholesome home-cooked fare prepared by your host/hostess in the evenings. If you have any dietary issues or food allergies, we are happy to cater for these, please advise the office of details when you make your booking. Alcohol is not included in the tour cost, but is available for purchase most nights.
Safety and Risk Management
To ensure maximum safety for all, our guides are certified first aiders and fully qualified drivers. Tuatara Tours operate under a Safety and Risk Management Plan which is regularly audited and approved by a qualified and independent auditor.
Luggage & Transfers
Tuatara Tours transports all your luggage for the duration of the tour.
Tour Kit Bag Exclusive to Tuatara Tours
To ensure you get the very best out of your journey with the least of fuss, we provide you with a bag of useful goodies. This will be given to you at the start of your tour.
All transport
Access and Concession fees paid to the Department of Conservation
NZ Goods and Service Tax (GST)
Testimonials
Very good – a well organized tour through some very beautiful parts of the country
Anna - NZ
A great time. Amazing bike trails and scenery. The meals were wonderful!
Liz - NZ
I rate the Queenstown tour – perfect in every way. Bike performed extremely well, panniers were very useful & comfortable seat.
Pamela - Australia
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