Otago Triple Treat
Three of the South's best trails in one five-day ride: Lake Dunstan, the Roxburgh Gorge with its jet boat leg, and the Clutha Gold to Lawrence.
Self-guided
5 days, 4 nights
Queenstown to Dunedin, or return to Queenstown
Grades 1 to 3
Spring to autumn, October to April
From $1,825 per person
The Otago Triple Treat strings together three rides people travel across the world for: the Lake Dunstan Trail with its cantilevered boardwalks over turquoise water, the Roxburgh Gorge where a jet boat carries you and your bike through the roadless middle of the canyon, and two easy golden days on the Clutha Gold Trail to the old gold town of Lawrence. The InterCity bus brings you in from Queenstown, your bags travel ahead each day, every bed is booked, and at Lawrence the transfer runs you to Dunedin, or back to Queenstown if that suits better.
This is Central Otago riding at its best: big schist country, big water, gold-rush bones everywhere, and a pace you set yourself.
What self-guided with us actually means
Self-guided is not unsupported. Before you ride, we book every bed, ticket the buses at both ends, and arrange the jet boat through the gorge. Our local partner meets you in Cromwell with your bikes fitted to you on day one, your luggage travels ahead to wherever you sleep next, one bag each of up to 15 kilograms, and you carry the trail notes, directions and map info we prepare. On the final day your bikes are collected from your accommodation while you celebrate in Lawrence, and the depot team is a phone call away throughout. What is left is the part you came for: the riding, at whatever pace the day deserves.
Queenstown to Clyde · the Lake Dunstan Trail. 39 km, Grades 2 & 3.
The morning bus carries you from Queenstown to Cromwell in under an hour, where our local partner meets you with your bikes for fitting. Then the ride begins at the Cromwell Heritage Precinct: the Lake Dunstan Trail's cantilevered boardwalks and bluff-hugging bends all the way to the streets of Clyde.
Stay: Olivers Lodge and Stables, or The Lord Clyde, Clyde. Meals: none included today.
Day 2: Clyde to Roxburgh · the Roxburgh Gorge Trail. 35 km riding, plus 13 km by jet boat. Grades 2 & 3.
After breakfast ride out of Clyde through Alexandra and into the Roxburgh Gorge, where the canyon walls drop straight into the Clutha Mata-au and the trail simply stops: a jet boat carries you and your bikes 13 kilometres through the roadless heart of the gorge, and you ride on from the far side to the town of Roxburgh. Dinner tonight is on us.
Stay: The Roxburgh Lodge. Meals: breakfast, dinner.
Day 3: Roxburgh to Beaumont · the Clutha Gold Trail. 55 km, Grade 2.
The third trail of the treat, and the longest day: easy Grade 2 riding down the banks of the Clutha, with Pinders Pond a few kilometres in if a swim appeals, rolling on through big country to the outdoor paradise of Beaumont.
Stay: Mata-Au Lodge, Beaumont. Meals: breakfast.
Day 4: Beaumont to Lawrence, with Waitahuna Extension. 49km, Grade 2.
The final day follows the Clutha Gold Trail through rolling farmland and open countryside as you ride from Beaumont to Lawrence, and then on to Waitahuna and back. Following the route of the former railway line, the trail offers gentle gradients, wide valley views, and a relaxed finish to your cycling adventure before returning to Lawrence. If you prefer a shorter day, you can simply finish your ride on arrival in Lawrence after passing through the impressive Big Hill Tunnel and enjoying the final sweeping descent into the town where Otago's gold rush began. Your bikes are collected from your accommodation and returned to our Alexandra depot, leaving the afternoon free to relax, explore the historic township, and enjoy a well-earned celebratory drink.
Stay: Lawrence Townhouse Accommodation, Lawrence. Meals: breakfast.
Day 5: Departure day. No riding.
Breakfast at the townhouse, then the InterCity bus to Dunedin or back to Queenstown, whichever you chose at booking.
Meals: breakfast.
Is this tour right for me?
Honest answer: this tour is built for confident riders comfortable with 35 to 55 kilometre days on Grades 2 & 3, with one gentle 19 kilometre finale as an add on option for those who want it. The rail-gradient stretches are as easy as cycling gets; the Roxburgh Gorge and parts of Lake Dunstan carry narrower benched trail with real drop-offs beside you, and that is where the Grade 3 lives: nothing technical underfoot, but exposure that rewards a calm head and a steady line. Self-guided means you navigate and fix the odd flat between you; the trails are well marked, our notes are thorough, and the depot team is a phone call away. The e-bikes flatten the few honest climbs.
More on fitness, confidence and what our trail grades mean >
The bikes
Fitted to you in Cromwell on day one you will ride modern comfort hybrids and quality hardtail mountain bikes from Giant, Norco and GT, with lightweight alloy frames, front suspension, hydraulic disc brakes, wide-range gearing and comfortable saddles, in 29 and 27.5 inch wheel sizes, with a low-bar frame option available: tell us at booking if that is your preference. Helmets and tools are included, and an e-bike upgrade is available for an additional price.
What's included
Included:
InterCity bus transfers: Queenstown to Cromwell, and Lawrence to Dunedin or back to Queenstown.
Four nights in quality accommodation.
Four breakfasts, and dinner at the Roxburgh Lodge on night two.
Daily luggage transfers: one bag per person, 15 kilograms maximum, per drop. Additional bags can be arranged at $25 per bag per drop.
Four days of bike hire with an optional E-bike upgrade available.
The jet boat transfer on the Roxburgh Gorge.
Bike return to the Alexandra depot, plus a top bag or pannier.
Trip itinerary, directions and trail map information.
Cycle trail donations and fees.
Not included:
Meals and food not listed in the itinerary. The trail towns feed you well, and we point you at the good spots in your trip notes.
Drinks and drink bottles.
Personal expenses such as laundry.
Travel insurance, which we strongly recommend.
Price: $1,825 per person, twin share, two people minimum. E-bike upgrade $300 per person.
Travelling as an odd-numbered group? Each additional solo rider pays a single supplement of $484.
Deposit: A 10% deposit per person secures your booking. Prices valid until April 2027.
How does the jet boat part work?
The middle of the Roxburgh Gorge currently has no trail. So you ride to the landing, a jet boat carries you and your bike 13 kilometres through the roadless heart of the gorge, and you ride on from the far side. It is included in the tour, it needs no booking on your part, and most guests call it the highlight of the trip. It’s an informative and interesting transport down the river, not a scary thrill ride.
When can we go?
We offer this tour in Spring, Summer and Autumn. Let us know the dates that suit you and we build the tour around them.
How fit do we need to be?
A reasonable level of fitness is important, but confidence on a bike is even more so. This tour includes a mix of Grade 2 and Grade 3 riding, with some sustained climbs, winding switchbacks, and sections at higher elevation. You'll also encounter long descents where good bike handling and confident braking are essential.
You don't need to be a mountain biker, but you should be comfortable riding on gravel trails, maintaining control on descents, and handling your bike confidently around corners and on uneven surfaces.
The e-bikes take much of the effort out of the climbs, but they don't replace riding skills. If it's been a while since you've ridden, we strongly recommend spending some time on gravel trails before your tour so you arrive feeling confident and ready to enjoy the experience.
What if something goes wrong on the trail?
The depot team is a phone call away throughout, and your group carries pumps, tubes and repair kits. Someone in your group needs to be able to change a flat tyre.
Can we do it on e-bikes?
Yes, for an upgrade cost, and the climbs shrink accordingly. Say so when you book, since e-bike numbers are limited.
Where does the tour actually end?
The riding ends in Lawrence. The following day, the included transfer runs you to Dunedin, or back to Queenstown, whichever you chose at booking.
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Where to next
Alps 2 Ocean • classic, self guided
Otago Rail Trail Tour, 4 day, self guided
