Queenstown - adventure capital
The Central Otago region boasts several Great Rides. All offer up scenic splendour with a mix of rugged peaks, high country, spectacular gorges, and crystal clear lakes and rivers.
Itinerary one
Queenstown Trail Great Ride
Trail details: Depending on timeframes, get on the bike for a few hours, a day or complete the full trail over four days. We've highlighted the most popular section below
Grade: From grade 2 (easy) to 4 (advanced)
Description: Surrounded by sheer mountain ranges and sublime scenery, this Great Ride showcases the Whakatipu Basin on a mix of mostly easy lakeside paths, country lanes, quiet roads, cross-country cycleways and vineyards
Getting there: Access to this amazing network of trails is easy via Queenstown airport.
Arrow River Bridge Trail | 13.3km | 2-3 hours | grade 2
On-trail highlights:
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Historic Arrowtown: Start the trail surrounded by 1860s gold-mining heritage and the preserved Chinese Settlement
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Arrow River Gorge: Ride through a dramatic, willow-lined canyon following a smooth and mostly flat riverside path
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Three suspension bridges: Cross the impressive Southern Discoveries, Swain Family, and Edgar suspension bridges high above the water
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Whitechapel country lane: Transition into a peaceful, postcard-perfect rural stretch framed by dramatic mountain backdrops
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Kawarau bungy bridge: Finish at the world’s first commercial bungy site to watch jumpers or grab a coffee at the viewing platform.
Itinerary two
Otago Central Rail Trail Great Ride
Trail detail: 152km. Ride the whole trail in 3-5 days, or enjoy a section as time allows
Grade: 1 (easiest)
Description: New Zealand’s first Great Ride follows an old railway line through beautiful, big-sky country with legendary hospitality along the way
Getting there: Just one hour’s drive from Queenstown.
On-trail highlights:
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Poolburn Gorge: A dramatic canyon featuring a 151m hand-carved stone tunnel and a spectacular curved steel viaduct
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Ranfurly art deco: New Zealand's rural art deco capital, boasting beautifully restored 1930s architecture and a museum
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Wedderburn goods shed: An iconic, vibrant red railway shed immortalised in famous New Zealand landscape paintings
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Historic country pubs: Charming, historic watering holes in stops like Chatto Creek, Lauder, and Oturehua offering local hospitality
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Ophir gold village: A quick detour to a perfectly preserved 1860s gold-rush town with New Zealand's oldest operational post office
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Big sky scenery: Vast, wide-open tussock plains framed by dramatic schist rock formations and rugged mountain ranges
Other Great Rides nearby:
Make a day of it on the Lake Dunstan Trail Great Ride. The ethereal Roxburgh Gorge Trail Great Ride and Clutha Gold Trail Great Ride offer spectacular journeys along the banks of the mighty Mata Au|Clutha River through dramatic gorges and past historic old goldfields.
You can also access the Around the Mountains Great Ride from Queenstown.
Note: The Kawarau Gorge Trail opens on October 25 and will link the Queenstown Trail to Lake Dunstan Great Rides.