Lake Dunstan Trail and 3 Gorges

Itinerary Details

1. Day 1Queenstown Trails to Gibbston Valley

   After an early morning briefing in Queenstown, you will head to The Kelvin Heights Peninsula for your first ride on arguably the best of the Queenstown Trails. You will start with a loop around the Queenstown Golf Course with stunning lake views and numerous sculptures. The lakeside trail then joins the Twin Rivers and Countryside Trails which take you through to Arrowtown in time for lunch.

   You will then continue onto the Arrow River Bridges Ride which includes 2 spectacular suspension bridges. From the historic Kawarau Bridge, you'll join the Gibbston Valley Trail finishing your ride at one of the local wineries with time for a tasting. A drive through the picturesque Kawarau Gorge takes you to Cromwell where you’ll be based for the next 2 nights and where you’ll enjoy your first group dinner this evening.
   

   • 31.7 miles
   • Accommodation in Cromwell
   • Dinner
2. Day 2Lake Dunstan Trail to Bannockburn Bridge

   Today is the first day of two on the new Lake Dunstan Trail. After breakfast, you'll head to Smith's Way, following the glistening shores of Lake Dunstan to Cromwell Heritage Precinct. Here you’ll park up and explore the boutique galleries, stores, restaurants and cafes on offer. From the Precinct the trail follows the Kawarau arm of Lake Dunstan to the Bannockburn Bridge with more amazing vistas across the lake to the Bannockburn vineyards. This is the perfect stop for lunch and a wine tasting at a nearby boutique vineyard.

   This afternoon is yours to do whatever takes your fancy. Perhaps a scenic 5km walk along the Kawerau River Track, a visit to the Highlands Motorsport Park for some go-karting or relaxing at one of the local swimming holes. Dinner at your leisure tonight.
   

   • 13 miles
   • Accommodation in Cromwell
   • Breakfast and Lunch
3. Day 3Lake Dunstan Trail to Clyde; River Trail

   Today you will rejoin the Lake Dunstan Trail which loops back and around the Bannockburn Inlet and continues toward Cornish Point, passing by vineyards and olive groves. The trail enters the stunning Cromwell Gorge where you’ll cycle around sheer rockfaces and over lake inlets on impressively engineered platforms and bridges rising above Lake Dunstan. Lake Dunstan was created from the damming of the mighty Clutha Mata-au River, New Zealand’s second-longest river, and the trail passes the historically controversial hydroelectric Clyde Dam before finishing at the Red Bridge at Clyde.

   Your final ride today is on the Clyde to Alexandra River Trail, a delightful, mainly flat 10km ride along the bank of the Clutha River. You will then be driven back to Clyde with time to explore this small historic town.
   

   • 26.7 miles
   • Accommodation in Clyde
   • Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner
4. Day 4Cycle the Clutha Gold Trail

   Your Central Otago cycling adventure continues on the Clutha Gold Cycle Trail. The day begins with the drive to Lawrence, the birthplace of the 1860s gold rush. After a wander around this delightful village, you’ll hop on your bike for the gentle climb up to the 434m-long Big Tunnel. Downhill at Beaumont, you’ll meet the mighty Clutha River once again. Be prepared to be captivated by its swirling, turquoise waters. Twenty scenic kilometres on through the scenic Beaumont Gorge, you’ll reach the small farming settlement of Millers Flat and then a final 14 kms through to Pinders Pond from where you’ll drive through to Lake Roxburgh Village and your lodge accommodation for the night.
   

   • 36 miles
   • Lake Roxburgh Village Accommodation
   • Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner
5. Day 5Roxburgh Gorge Trail, to Queenstown

   You will head back to Pinders Pond to continue your ride along the Clutha Gold Cycle Trail, past interesting riverside landmarks and deep into the orchard-lands of the Teviot Valley. The amazing Roxburgh hydro dam marks the end of the Clutha Gold Trail and the start of the Roxburgh Gorge Trail. With amazing northerly vistas across Lake Roxburgh, the trail drops into the Gorge and then heads away from the water passing through a small secluded valley with regenerating Ka-nuka (tea tree) scrubland and into sweeping hill country farmland.

   At Elbow Creek, it’s a gradual descent to Shingle Creek, the halfway mark where you'll take a scenic jet boat ride for the next 10km to Doctor’s Point. The second half of the trail is equally remote and awe-inspiring with stone-walled water races and other remnants of gold mining activity. You will continue tracing the gorge to finally emerge in Alexandra where you’ll enjoy a celebration drink before the drive back to Queenstown. 
   

   • 23 miles
   • Breakfast and Lunch

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     Jet Boating in New Zealand

     Take an exhilarating break on the last day as you and the bikes enjoy a jet boat ride on the Clutha River