Queenstown & Central Otago Highlights
Four of the South's great trails in one ride out of Queenstown: the Queenstown Trail, the brand-new Kawarau Gorge Trail, Lake Dunstan and the Roxburgh Gorge, jet boat included.
Self-guided
6 days, 5 nights
Queenstown return
Grades 2 to 3
Spring to autumn, October to April
From $2,599 per person twin share
The Highlights is Central Otago's greatest hits in under a week, without ever repacking your patience: out of Queenstown and across four of the South's great trails, from the vineyard country of the Gibbston to the schist gorges of the Kawarau and the Clutha, with the turquoise theatrics of the Lake Dunstan Trail in between and a jet boat carrying you through the roadless heart of the Roxburgh Gorge on the final day. Your bags travel ahead, every bed is booked, the bikes are fitted and waiting, and the last afternoon delivers you back to Queenstown for a celebratory dinner in the adventure capital.
This tour includes the newly opened Kawarau Gorge Trail, the missing link the trail world waited years for: day three rides it end to end. Know the trail before you come >
Which Queenstown & Central Otago tour suits you?
We ride this region two ways, and the honest difference is where you stop. Both tours ride the same first five days: Queenstown to the Gibbston, the Kawarau Gorge, Lake Dunstan to Clyde, and the Roxburgh Gorge with its jet boat. Then they part. The Highlights transfers you home to Queenstown that final afternoon: four trails, six days, one base to return to. The Explorer rides on: two more days down the Clutha Gold Trail to the gold-rush town of Lawrence, eight days and five trails in all, finishing by bus to Queenstown or Dunedin. If a working week is what you have, you are on the right page. If the idea of extending your adventure appeals, the Explorer is your tour >
Day 1: Queenstown. No riding.
Arrive and settle in beside Lake Whakatipu, with the mountains doing what they do. Depending on your landing time: the lakefront stroll, the gondola for the big view, the galleries, or simply a table by the water. Rest well: the riding starts tomorrow.
Stay: Copthorne Hotel and Resort Queenstown Lakefront. Meals: none included today.
Day 2: Queenstown to Gibbston Valley · the Queenstown Trail. 38, 47.5 or 63 km, your choice. Grades 2 & 3.
The tour opens on the celebrated Queenstown Trail network, and today is built to be sized to your legs. The direct line follows the Twin Rivers Trail beside the Kawarau and Shotover rivers through the Wakatipu Basin. Want more? Add historic Arrowtown for lunch on its charming main street, or go the whole way: the newest section of the network, the Shotover Gorge Trail through the Hugo Tunnel, then Arrowtown, then on. All routes converge on the Arrow River Bridges Trail and cross at the Kawarau Bungy Centre, home of the world's first commercial bungy jump: watch, or leap, entirely your call. The day ends among the vines of the Gibbston, where your hosts at Kinross pour a hosted tasting of the valley's wines, with the evening for its celebrated tables.
Stay: Kinross Vineyard Cottages, Gibbston. Meals: breakfast.
Day 3: Gibbston Valley to Cromwell · the Kawarau Gorge Trail. 38 km, Grade 3.
The new one. The Kawarau Gorge Trail threads the gorge past gold-mining relics, stone ruins and dramatic schist cliffs, the turquoise river working below the whole way, before emerging into the orchard-and-vineyard country around Cromwell. It is the hardest day of the tour and the one you will talk about longest: real climbing, real exposure, and history at every second bend. The afternoon is Cromwell's: the heritage precinct, the cafes, and in season the famous stone fruit.
Stay: At Harvest Hotel at The Gate. Meals: breakfast.
Day 4: Cromwell to Clyde · the Lake Dunstan Trail. 39 km, Grades 2 & 3.
The famous one: cantilevered boardwalks bolted to the bluffs, the lake glittering below, the Cairnmuir climb earning the views. After an unforgettable ride through this remarkable landscape, you'll arrive in the charming historic township of Clyde for the evening. Know every section before you ride it >
Stay: Olivers Lodge and Stables, or The Lord Clyde, Clyde. Meals: breakfast
Day 5: Clyde to Roxburgh, then home to Queenstown · the Roxburgh Gorge Trail. 35 km riding plus 13 km by jet boat. Grades 2 & 3.
The finale earns its billing. After breakfast at Olivers, ride out through Alexandra 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 middle, and you ride on down the ever-changing gorge to Roxburgh. Then the included transfer runs you back to Queenstown for a final night in the adventure capital: celebrate properly.
Stay: Copthorne Hotel and Resort Queenstown Lakefront. Meals: breakfast.
Day 6: Departure day.
Check out by 10am, and home with four trails in the legs.
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 to 3, and day three is the real thing: the Kawarau's builders say plainly that riders who found the Lake Dunstan Trail challenging should think twice, and this tour rides both, back to back. Expect climbing, some exposure, and remote stretches the vehicle cannot reach, so you should be happy changing a tyre and making basic adjustments. The e-bikes are the honest recommendation rather than a luxury. If you would rather have experienced guides on hand throughout, our guided tours exist for exactly that.
More on fitness, confidence and what our trail grades mean >
The bikes
On this tour you ride our Otago partner's fleet, fitted to you in Queenstown: 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.
What's included
Included:
Five nights in quality accommodation.
5 breakfasts.
Daily luggage transfers: one bag per person, 15 kilograms maximum, per drop. Additional bags $25 per bag per drop.
Four days of bike hire with helmet and tools. E-bike upgrade available.
The jet boat transfer on the Roxburgh Gorge.
The transfer from Roxburgh back to Queenstown on the final riding day.
Top bag and pannier, trip itinerary, directions and trail map information.
Cycle trail donations and fees.
Not included:
Meals and food not listed in the itinerary.
Drinks and drink bottles, telephone and mini-bar costs.
Personal expenses such as laundry and internet charges.
Travel insurance, which we strongly recommend.
Price: $2,599 per person, twin share. $915 single surcharge. E-bike upgrade $280 per person.
Travelling as an odd-numbered group? Each additional solo rider pays a single supplement of $XXX.
Deposit: A 10% per person deposit secures your booking. Prices valid until April 2027.
How hard is this tour, honestly?
This tour is designed for confident riders who are comfortable cycling 35 to 55 kilometres a day on Grade 2 and 3 trails. Day three is the most challenging, with sustained climbing, some steeper descents, and sections where confident bike handling is important.
The e-bikes take much of the effort out of the climbs, but you'll still need to be comfortable riding on gravel trails and managing your bike on descents and around corners. The final two days on the Clutha Gold Trail are more relaxed, providing a gentler finish to the tour.
If you're unsure whether this tour is the right fit, we'd much rather have a conversation beforehand and give you an honest recommendation >
Which day-two option should we choose?
Pick by appetite, and decide on the morning: nothing needs booking ahead. The 38 kilometre Twin Rivers line is the direct classic. The 47.5 adds Arrowtown, worth it for lunch on that main street alone. The 63 takes in the new Shotover Gorge Trail and the Hugo Tunnel before Arrowtown, for riders who want day two to be a full day. All three finish among the same Gibbston vines.
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 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.
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.
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.
Ready to ride, or questions first?
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Where to next
Queenstown & Central Otago Explorer, self-guided
Otago Triple Treat, self-guided
Kawarau Gorge Trail guide
Lake Dunstan Trail guide
