New Zealand Cycle Trail:
Queenstown Cycle Trail – including the Kawarau Gorge and Dunstan Trail
Where
Queenstown to Queenstown
Duration
5 days / 4 nights
Fitness
NZ$2995
Next summer tour dates Available. Book your spot!
2026 2027
- Start Date Status
- Wed 11 Nov 26 FULL
- Mon 11 Jan 27 GUARANTEED
- Mon 25 Jan 27 GUARANTEED
- Mon 01 Feb 27
- Mon 15 Feb 27
- Fri 19 Feb 27 FULL
- Sat 27 Feb 27
- Mon 08 Mar 27 FULL
- Mon 15 Mar 27 Last 4 places
- Mon 29 Mar 27
- Mon 05 Apr 27 GUARANTEED
- Mon 12 Apr 27
Tour Cost NZD$2995
Do you have another date in mind?
We can build a tour especially for your group, please enquire for details.
Share this tour:
Ride through alpine landscapes, charming historic towns, past turquoise lakes, and world-class wine country on a spectacular network of trails. Each unique trail offers striking scenery and unforgettable experiences.
Cross private land and soaring suspension bridges, tracing six rivers and lakes through landscapes made famous by The Lord of the Rings. Venture into the remote bluffs of the Roxburgh Gorge, follow the Clutha Mata-au River through valleys and farmland on the Clutha Gold Trail, and marvel at cliff-hugging paths on the Lake Dunstan Trail.
Tour Itinerary
NZ$2995
Day 1 Queenstown to Arrowtown
Distance:
38km
Accommodation: Motel - Arrowtown
Meet your local guide and fellow riders with a pickup from your accommodation between 8:30–9:00am. Then it’s off to scenic Kelvin Heights, where your guide will get you set up and ready to ride.
Your journey begins beneath the willow-lined shores of the Frankton Arm of Lake Wakatipu, with spectacular views of rugged mountain ranges all around. Cruise past the airport and follow the Shotover River before reaching the peaceful shores of Lake Hayes—an artist’s dream—for a full loop of its picturesque trail.
We finish the day with a gentle roll into historic Arrowtown, where charming stone cottages and rich gold rush tales welcome you for the night.
MEALS INCLUDED: L D
Day 2 Arrowtown to Cromwell
Distance:
49km
Accommodation: Motel - Alexandra
Begin the day in historic Arrowtown, riding alongside the Arrow River before continuing towards Gibbston. Along the way, cross impressive suspension bridges, including the historic Kawarau Bridge, home to the AJ Hackett Bungy Centre.
After a short stop to soak up the atmosphere – and perhaps watch a bungy jumper or two – continue into the beautiful Gibbston Valley. Here, vineyards line the slopes above the Kawarau River and provide the perfect setting for a platter lunch at a boutique winery.
From Gibbston, join the spectacular new Kawarau Gorge Trail for the journey through to Cromwell. This purpose-built trail provides the long-awaited cycling connection between the Queenstown Trails network and Central Otago.
The Kawarau Gorge is a dramatic Central Otago canyon carved by the Kawarau River, which is joined along its course by the Shotover, Arrow and Nevis rivers. The new trail winds through an impressive landscape of steep schist cliffs and turquoise water, with swing bridges and cantilevered sections providing some memorable riding.
This corridor also has a long human history. Māori travelled through the region on routes associated with journeys to obtain pounamu, long before European settlement. Later came pastoral pioneers, gold miners and, eventually, engineers investigating the hydro-electric potential of the Kawarau.
The trail is graded 2–3 and includes some substantial climbing, making this an exciting introduction to the landscapes and history of Central Otago.
MEALS INCLUDED: B L D
Day 3 Roxburgh Gorge Trail and Clutha Gold Trail
Distance:
47km
Accommodation: Lakeside Lodge - Lake Roxburgh
This morning, we drive a short distance down the road to where the spectacular Roxburgh Gorge Cycle Trail awaits. With its dramatic cliffs and sweeping views, this ride is pure magic.
We kick things off with a 10km ride through the gorge, then trade bikes for a scenic jet boat trip from Doctors Point to Shingle Creek—a thrilling way to soak up the scenery from the water.
Back on the bikes, it’s a further 10km to the Roxburgh Dam, where we join the Clutha Gold Trail for a 27km ride to Millers Flat. Along the way, you’ll pedal past lush orchards and historic gold mining relics that tell the tales of a bygone era. We finish the day in Millers Flat before heading to our accommodation in Roxburgh to unwind for the evening.
MEALS INCLUDED: B L D
Day 4 Roxburgh to Lake Dunstan Cycle Trail
Distance:
54km
Accommodation: Lakeside Hotel - Cromwell
After breakfast, we take a short drive to Clyde to tackle the spectacular Lake Dunstan Cycle Trail. Get ready for a thrilling ride along cliffside paths carved from solid rock, and cruise beneath the impressive Cairnmuir Terraces — a feat of engineering that protects the Clyde Dam.
One of the trail’s highlights is the “floating” boardwalk that hugs the hillside, with deep blue lake waters below and towering rock faces beside you. As the trail flattens out near Cromwell, we roll past sun-drenched vineyards and olive groves — a peaceful testament to the town that once stood here, now submerged beneath the lake.
We finish the ride cruising through Pisa Moorings to Smiths Way. Then it’s time to relax at our lakeside accommodation and toast to a big day out on the bikes.
MEALS INCLUDED: B L D
Day 5 Lake Hawea to Wanaka
Distance:
27km
This morning, we make our way to the charming settlement of Lake Hawea, where the Hawea River Trail awaits. The ride winds gently through peaceful kānuka groves, lush woodlands, and across open river terraces, linking up with the Newcastle and Upper Clutha tracks all the way to Albert Town.
From here, we cruise the scenic Outlet Track alongside the shimmering Clutha River, finishing up on the shores of stunning Lake Wānaka — a perfect spot to reflect on the journey. What a way to wrap up five incredible days of riding, scenery, and good company. One last bus journey back to Queenstown has us arriving around 4:30pm back at your accommodation.
MEALS INCLUDED : B L
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 NZD$720
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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