Kawarau Gorge, Lake Dunstan and Otago Rail Trail

Itinerary Details

1. Day 1Queenstown to Arrowtown: Queenstown Trails

   2025-2026 Itinerary (excluding Kawarau Trail - closed)

   After an early morning briefing in Queenstown, saddle up for your first ride on two of the easier Queenstown Trails, riding alongside Lake Whakatipu and both the Kawerau and Shotover rivers before arriving at the historic Old Lower Shotover Bridge. Due to trail maintenance, there may be a short van transfer to the start of the first ride. Next up are the 2 newest trails on the Queesntown trail network, the Shotover Gorge and the Wharehuanui Trails. The former is a spectacular journey along the Lower Shotover Gorge before linking to the latter which crosses various wetlands and riparian zones and traverses the foothills of Coronet Peak. The trail passes parts of the famous Millbrook golf course and from there you ride through to Arrowtown, a delightful old gold mining town. There should be time for a wander through this historic town before enjoying the first group dinner. 

   2026 - 2027 Itinerary (including Kawarau)

   After an early morning briefing in Queenstown and a short transfer, saddle up for your first ride on arguably the best of the Queenstown Trails. You'll set off riding on the Wharehuanui Trail, the latest addition to the Trail network. Starting in Arthurs Point, the trail crosses various wetlands and riparian zones and traverses the foothills of Coronet Peak. The trail passes parts of the famous Millbrook golf course before joining up with the Countryside Trail. From here you head south, enjoying quiet countryside as you pass breathtaking architecture, tree-lined avenues and stunning alpine vistas. The trail joins up with the spectacular Shotover River, before arriving at the historic Old Lower Shotover Bridge. Here, join the Twin Rivers Trail following the Shotover and Kawarau Rivers through to the lunch stop near Lake Hayes.

   After lunch, head along the shores of the Lake, which is often very calm, producing incredible reflections of the mountain ranges that surround it, through to Arrowtown, a delightful old gold mining town and your overnight stop. There should be time for a wander through this historic town before enjoying our first group dinner.

   Cycling distance: 42km/26 miles; +460m/1509ft

   • 28.6 - 34.2 miles
   • -4,547.2 ft
     1,994.8 ft
     6,542 ft
   • Accommodation in Arrowtown
   • Lunch and Dinner

   • 

     Dunstan House

     Stay at the heritage property of Dunstan House which is ideally located on the main street of Clyde

2. Day 2Arrowtown to Clyde: Queenstown Trails and transfer to Clyde

   2025-2026 Itinerary (excluding Kawarau Trail - closed)

   You begin today’s ride on the Countryside Trail, rolling through peaceful farmland past striking architecture, tree-lined avenues, and sweeping alpine views. Soon the trail meets the spectacular Shotover River, where you join the Twin Rivers Trail and follow both the Shotover and Kawarau Rivers toward Lake Hayes.
   
   Riding along the lake’s edge, you’ll often see its glassy waters reflecting the surrounding mountain ranges. Passing back through the charming streets of Arrowtown, you continue on the delightful Arrow River Bridges Trail, crossing two impressive suspension bridges before reaching the historic Kawarau Bridge—where bungy jumpers and zipliners take their thrilling leap.
   
   From here, you ride into the Gibbston Valley Trail, winding high above the Kawarau River through Central Otago’s premier wine-growing region, Gibbston—known as the “Valley of Vines.” At the end of the valley, you load up the bikes and drive through the scenic Kawarau Gorge to the quaint gold-mining town of Clyde.
   
   Dinner is at your leisure tonight.

   Cycle: approx 52km/31miles, +567m/1859ft

   2026 - 2027 Itinerary (including Kawarau)
   Arrowtown to Clyde: Kawarau Gorge Trail and transfer to Clyde

   Set in the heart of Central Otago’s striking landscape, the 32 km Kawarau Gorge Trail now links Queenstown with the region’s famed Central Otago trails. Before riding this spectacular new section, you depart Arrowtown along the delightful Arrow River Bridges Trail, crossing two impressive suspension bridges on your way to the historic Kawarau Bridge—where bungy jumpers and zipliners can often be seen taking the plunge.
   
   From here, you continue along the Gibbston Valley Trail, winding high above the Kawarau River through Central Otago’s premier wine-growing region. Known as the “Valley of Vines,” Gibbston offers a scenic approach to the start of the Kawarau Gorge Trail.
   
   This remarkable trail curves around the dramatic Nevis Bluff and ventures into previously inaccessible sections of the gorge, revealing breathtaking scenery at every turn. You’ll experience the sheer power and beauty of the Kawarau River as the trail crosses suspension bridges and traces the opposite side of the gorge from the state highway, offering a unique and quieter perspective of this rugged landscape.
   
   Beyond the scenery, the area is steeped in history—stories of early gold mining, ingenious hydroelectric schemes, rabbit hunters, and the ancient routes once followed by early Māori travelers.
   
   You finish today’s ride in Bannockburn before a short transfer brings you to the charming gold-mining town of Clyde. Dinner is at your leisure tonight.
   
   Cycle: approx. 48 km (30 miles), +487 m / 1,597 ft.
   
   

   
   

   • 32.3 miles
   • 1,860.2 ft
     1,860.2 ft
   • Dunstan House
   • Breakfast and Lunch
3. Day 3Clyde to Wedderburn/Ranfurly: Otago Rail Trail

   Today you ride the first of two days on Central Otago Rail Trail—New Zealand’s original Great Ride, which opened in 2000. This 152 km trail follows the route of the former Otago Central railway line, once vital for connecting remote farming communities and helping Central Otago farmers and orchardists transport their stock and produce to market in Dunedin.
   
   Leaving Clyde, along the historic rail corridor, you cycle across wide rural plains framed by dramatic mountain ranges. Beyond the small settlement of Chatto Creek, the trail climbs gently before levelling out for relaxed riding toward the township of Lauder.
   
   The next section features the trip’s first tunnels and old railway bridges as you trace the pretty Poolburn Gorge and head into the Idaburn Valley. If time allows, you may stop at Hayes Engineering Works, a wonderfully rustic heritage site, as well as the old-fashioned grocery store in Oturehua. From there, it’s a gradual climb to the rail trail’s high point before an enjoyable downhill roll into either Wedderburn or Ranfurly with its striking Art Deco architecture. 
   
   

   • 49.1 miles
   • 2,519.7 ft
     2,519.7 ft
   • Accommodation in Wedderburn or Ranfurly
   • Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner
4. Day 4Wedderburn/Ranfurly to Middlemarch: Otago Rail Trail and transfer to Alexandra

   From Ranfurly, follow the trail toward the small settlement of Waipiata before skirting the edge of an old lake. Soon the route enters the picturesque Taieri Gorge, where a series of historic bridges and tunnels carry you through one of the rail trail’s most scenic sections.
   
   A flowing downhill run brings you to the historic Hotel Hyde—a charming spot to pause and catch your breath. From here, the final 27 km passes the memorial to the tragic Hyde Rail Disaster before the trail winds across gentle plains to its finish in Middlemarch.
   
   After a café lunch to celebrate completing your third Great Ride, you board the support vehicle for the journey to Alexandra—famously known as the hottest, driest, and coldest town in New Zealand. Tonight, enjoy your final group dinner together before tomorrow’s grand finale ride on the Lake Dunstan Trail.

   • 46.6 miles
   • 1,043.3 ft
     1,043.3 ft
   • Accommodation in Alexandra
   • Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner
5. Day 5Lake Dunstan Trail and transfer to Queenstown

   A true Queen stage awaits today. Riding from the accommodation, you'll cross the mighty Clutha/Mata Au River and join the delightful River Trail which meanders beside the true right bank of the river through to Clyde. Here you'll hop on the Dunstan Explorer for a stunning boat ride up the lake to a drop off point on the lakeside, where you'll join the famous Lake Dunstan Cycle Trail.

   Initially following the glistening shores of the lake, it's an easy pedal through to Cromwell’s Old Town, a small historic precinct dating back to the gold rush days of the 1800s. Here the galleries, coffee shops and boutiques makes it an ideal place for a short break from the bike. The trail continues along the Kawarau arm of Lake Dunstan to the Bannockburn Bridge offering stunning views across the lake while passing by wineries and olive groves.

   From Cornish Point some riders will continue into the dramatic Cromwell Gorge, where the track winds around sheer rockfaces and over lake inlets on impressively engineered platforms and bridges rising above the lake to Clyde. For those riders who wish to avoid the more demanding section through the gorge, there will be an option to drive to Clyde and ride in towards the far end of the Gorge.

   You'll finish by a lakeside beach, so weather permitting it's a great place to soak sore muscles before a stop for a real fruit ice-cream on the way back to Queenstown in the van. There will be a drop off at the airport and another in the center of town. Please avoid booking any international flights tonight and any domestic flights departing before 7pm.

   Alexandra to Clyde River Trail: 18km/11miles,+168m/551ft
   Lake Dunstan Trail - McNulty Inlet to Cornish Point: 17km/11miles, +187m/613ft 
   Lake Dunstan Trail - Cornish Point to Clyde Rowing Club (Moderate): 24km/15miles, 346m/1134ft

   • 11.2 - 12.4 miles
   • Breakfast and Lunch