Taking in the serenity riding through Central Otago | Cam Stables
Taking in the serenity riding through Central Otago  | Cam Stables
Taking in the serenity riding through Central Otago  | Cam Stables
Taking in the serenity riding through Central Otago  | Cam Stables
Taking in the serenity riding through Central Otago  | Cam Stables
Taking in the serenity riding through Central Otago  | Cam Stables
Cyclists riding along the Clutha Gold Trail  | Geoff Marks
Dunstan House accommodation in Clyde  | Lachlan Gardiner
Taking in the serenity riding through Central Otago  | Cam Stables
Lake Dunstan credit: Geoff Marks  | Geoff Marks
A stunning day cycling the Roxburgh Gorge  | Geoff Marks
Lake Dunstan credit: Geoff Marks  | Geoff Marks
A stunning day cycling the Roxburgh Gorge  | Geoff Marks
Our morning tea pitstops are full of delicious treats  | Geoff Marks
Cyclists riding along the Clutha Gold Trail  | Geoff Marks
A stunning day cycling the Roxburgh Gorge  | Geoff Marks

Cycle the Kawarau, Dunstan & Roxburgh Gorges

Cycle the Lake Dunstan Trail, the Roxburgh Gorge and Clutha Gold Trails and be one of the first on the new Kawarau Gorge Trail from Jan 2026

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 144 reviews

5 Days from

$2060 USD

Trip Code: QCG
View dates to BookEssential Information

Extra trip options & supplements

*Prices listed are per person

Bike Rental
$100 USD
Ebike Rental
$350 USD
Single Supplement - Limited to 2 per departure
$410 USD

Duration

  • 5 Days

Activities

  • 5 day cycle trail

Accommodation

  • 4 nights hotel/motel

Meals

  • 3 Dinners
  • 4 Lunches
  • 4 Breakfasts

Difficulty Grading  

3 / 5

Moderate

Trip highlights

  • Explore the breathtaking Queenstown & Arrow River Bridges cycle trails
  • Experience the stunningly engineered Lake Dunstan Trail by bike
  • Enjoy the scenic Wanaka Outlet Track and Hawea River Trail
  • Tasting at a boutique winery
  • Ride the Clyde to Alexandra River Trail
  • Follow NZ’s mightiest river on the Clutha Gold & Roxburgh Gorge Trails
  • Experience a scenic jet boat transfer
  • Soak up the glittering history of towns such as Arrowtown, Clyde, and Lawrence
  • From January 2026, be among the first to ride on the spectacular Kawarau Gorge Trail

Overview

Explore the full Lake Dunstan, Clutha Gold and Roxburgh Gorge trails at the perfect pace on this fully supported trip. And be one of the first to bike the New Kawarau Gorge Trail when it opens, hopefully in January 2026.

After warming up on the stunning Queenstown Trails we head over to Wanaka where we ride the Outlet Track and Lake Hawea River Trail. From January 2026, we will also be able to ride through the Kawarau Gorge on the new Trail currently under construction. Next up is the Lake Dunstan Trail, initially following the glistening lake's edge to Cromwell, with time to explore the Cromwell Heritage Precinct. The following day we ride the remainder of the Lake Dunstan Trail, heading across the Bannockburn Bridge, into the picturesque Cromwell Gorge and through to the charming town of Clyde.

The next day we head across to Lawrence and ride the Clutha Gold Cycle Trail, starting near Gabriel’s Gully, the historic sight of the first gold strike in Central Otago. Enjoy riding the purpose built cycle way, past farmland and fruit orchards, following the beautiful turquoise waters of the mighty Clutha River. This leads us onto the Roxburgh Gorge Trail which includes a scenic jet boat ride on the Clutha through the narrow, rugged gorge.

Charming country towns and warm hospitality are all part of the package, as is delicious food & wine and ample opportunity to meet the locals.

Itinerary

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After an early morning briefing in Queenstown we saddle up for our first ride on arguably the best of the Queenstown Trails. We set off riding from our hotel and quickly join the Frankton Trail, a well formed shingle track along the shore of Lake Wakatipu with stunning mountain and lake views. On reaching the old Kawerau Bridge at Frankton, we join the Twin Rivers Trail and then the Countryside Trail through to Arrowtown, a delightful old gold mining town, in time for lunch. We then continue onto the Arrow River Bridges Trail which includes 2 spectacular suspension bridges and is a delightful ride through to the historic Kawerau Bridge where we can witness bungy jumpers and zipliners getting their adrenaline fix! A scenic drive down the Kawerau Gorge takes us past the historic Roaring Meg and Kawerau gold diggings through to the lakeside town of Wanaka where we'll spend our first night and enjoy our first group dinner this evening. Cycling distance: 43km/25 miles Accommodation: Edgewater Hotel or Oakridge Resort

Meals: D

After a hearty cafe breakfast we head out of Wanaka on the Outlet Trail following the crystal clear waters of the Clutha River/Mata-Au from the Lake Wanaka outlet to Albert Town. This stretch of the river is world-renowned for its trout fishing and the track offers easy riding with many spots to stop and enjoy the spectacular scenery along the way. Next up is the delightful Hawea River Track, easily accessed from the end of the Outlet track. This 10km bike trail following the Hawea River from Albert Town to Lake Hawea is an easy grade and beautifully scenic. After lunch we transfer the short distance to Smith's Way on the shore of Lake Dunstan. From here we ride the first section of the Lake Dunstan Trail along the lake through to the Cromwell Heritage Precinct. Here we’ll park up and explore the boutique galleries, stores, restaurants and cafes on offer before checking into our accommodation. Dinner at your leisure tonight. Cycling distance: 41km/26 miles Accommodation: Carrick Lodge Motel, Cromwell

Meals: B,L

Today we 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. Our final ride today is on the Clyde to Alexandra River Trail, a delightful, mainly flat 10km ride along the bank of the Clutha River. We then drive back to Clyde with time to explore this small historic town and enjoy a wine tasting at a boutique winery. Cycle Stats : 57km/+591m Accommodation: Dunstan House, Clyde

Meals: B,L,D

Our Central Otago cycling adventure continues on the Clutha Gold Cycle Trail. The day begins with the drive to Beaumont, home of a wrought iron single lane bridge constructed in 1887 to cross the swirling, turquoise waters of the mighty Clutha and the only bridge of this kind in the country. Twenty scenic kilometres on through the scenic Beaumont Gorge, we’ll reach the small farming settlement of Millers Flat, named after the first European settler, Walter Miller, who arrived in Otago in 1849. From here we follow the trail through to Pinders Pond, the site of an old hydraulic elevation pond before meandering along the riverside, keeping an eye out for stunning hillside rock formations and large stands of regenerating native Ka-nuka (tea tree). Finishing deep into the orchard-lands of the Teviot Valley, the Clutha Gold Trail ends below the impressive Roxburgh Dam and it's then just a short, but steepish (!), climb to cross the Dam over to our lodge accommodation for the night. Cycling distance: 55km/34 miles Accommodation: Roxburgh Lodge

Meals: B,L,D

Just as the impressive Roxburgh hydro dam marks the end of the Clutha Gold Trail, it also marks the start of the Roxburgh Gorge Trail. With amazing northerly vistas across the 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 we 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. We continue tracing the gorge to finally emerge in Alexandra marking the end of our riding adventure before the drive back to Queenstown. Cycling distance: 23km/14 miles

Meals: B,L

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After an early morning briefing in Queenstown, we’ll head straight to the old gold mining town of Arrowtown and start our adventure on the picturesque Arrow River Bridges Trail. The trail crosses five bridges over the willow-lined Arrow River on its way to Gibbston Valley, where we connect to the Gibbston River Trail winding its way high above the Kawarau River through Central Otago’s premier wine-growing region. Fuelled by a scenic picnic lunch, we’re ready to tackle the newest Great Ride, the Kawerau Gorge Trail which has opened up previously inaccessible segments of the stunning Kawarau Gorge. Meandering around the Nevis Bluff, you’ll be riding on bluff bridges around the edge of the Kawarau River, past rapids with a spectacular view up the mouth of the Nevis River. Cross two impressive suspension bridges as you navigate the gorge and immerse yourself in the rich history of the area along the way with incredible stories of early gold mining days, ingenious power generation projects, tales of rabbit hunting, and the ancient routes traversed by early Maori. The trail ends in the small historic gold mining town of Bannockburn where we’ll load up and transfer past Lake Dunstan to the lakeside town of Wanaka, where we'll spend our first night and enjoy our first group dinner. Cycling distance: 53km/33 miles

Meals: D

After a hearty cafe breakfast we head out of Wanaka on the Outlet Trail following the crystal clear waters of the Clutha River/Mata-Au from the Lake Wanaka outlet to Albert Town. This stretch of the river is world-renowned for its trout fishing and the track offers easy riding with many spots to stop and enjoy the spectacular scenery along the way. Next up is the delightful Hawea River Track, easily accessed from the end of the Outlet track. This 10km bike trail following the Hawea River from Albert Town to Lake Hawea is an easy grade and beautifully scenic. After lunch we transfer the short distance to Smith's Way on the shore of Lake Dunstan. From here we ride the first section of the Lake Dunstan Trail along the lake through to the Cromwell Heritage Precinct. Here we’ll park up and explore the boutique galleries, stores, restaurants and cafes on offer before checking into our accommodation. Dinner at your leisure tonight. Cycling distance: 41km/26 miles Accommodation: Carrick Lodge Motel, Cromwell

Meals: B,L

Today we 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. Our final ride today is on the Clyde to Alexandra River Trail, a delightful, mainly flat 10km ride along the bank of the Clutha River. We then drive back to Clyde with time to explore this small historic town and enjoy a wine tasting at a boutique winery. Cycling distance: 53km/33 miles Accommodation: Dunstan House, Clyde

Meals: B,L,D

Our Central Otago cycling adventure continues on the Clutha Gold Cycle Trail. The day begins with the drive to Beaumont, home of a wrought iron single lane bridge constructed in 1887 to cross the swirling, turquoise waters of the mighty Clutha and the only bridge of this kind in the country. Twenty scenic kilometres on through the scenic Beaumont Gorge, we’ll reach the small farming settlement of Millers Flat, named after the first European settler, Walter Miller, who arrived in Otago in 1849. From here we follow the trail through to Pinders Pond, the site of an old hydraulic elevation pond before meandering along the riverside, keeping an eye out for stunning hillside rock formations and large stands of regenerating native Ka-nuka (tea tree). Finishing deep into the orchard-lands of the Teviot Valley, the Clutha Gold Trail ends below the impressive Roxburgh Dam and it's then just a short, but steepish (!), climb to cross the Dam over to our lodge accommodation for the night. Cycling distance: 55km/34 miles Accommodation: Roxburgh Lodge

Meals: B,L,D

Just as the impressive Roxburgh hydro dam marks the end of the Clutha Gold Trail, it also marks the start of the Roxburgh Gorge Trail. With amazing northerly vistas across the 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 we 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. We continue tracing the gorge to finally emerge in Alexandra marking the end of our riding adventure before the drive back to Queenstown. Cycling distance: 23km/14 miles

Meals: B,L

Map

Elevation

The map and elevation chart are for illustrative purposes only and meant to provide general guidelines.

Ready to start your adventure?

View dates to Book

What’s included?

Included

  • Tasty cafe breakfasts (x4), gourmet picnic or cafe lunches (x4), two course restaurant dinners (x3) catered to all dietary requirements
  • 4 nights comfortable motel/hotel accommodation on a twin share basis
  • Experienced guides who handle all the logistics so as you can relax and enjoy the trails (2 guides with groups of 8 or more)
  • Tasty and nutritious snacks, drinks and treats plus our famous morning and afternoon teas
  • Full vehicle support along the trail including trailer for luggage
  • Scenic jet boat ride on the Clutha River (Roxburgh Gorge)
  • Wine tasting at a boutique Central Otago vineyard
  • Return transport from Queenstown
  • Rider fees paid to the Trail Trusts for ongoing maintenance and improvements
  • Pre departure information kit to help you plan and prepare

Not included

  • International or domestic flights and taxes
  • Arrival and departure transfers
  • Meals not mentioned in the itinerary
  • All beverages, other than breakfast
  • Bike hire (including helmet)
  • Water bottle (help us save the environment and bring your own bike drink bottle)
  • Personal expenses (eg. phone calls, internet, laundry, shopping etc)
  • Travel insurance
  • Visa (if required)

About your guide

Our guides are one of our biggest assets and we pride ourselves on their level of quality and high standards. Once the trip reaches 8 people, we provide you with two of our expert guides to maximise your enjoyment and overall experience. You’ll know you’re in safe hands as all of our guides are certified in first aid and CPR and many of them are trained bike mechanics. They come from all walks of life but our guides have a common desire to give you the best possible experience, fun and lots of fond memories to take home with you.

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Reviews (144)

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