However you choose to arrive, by plane, car, or with a hotel pickup, the Kiwi Journeys team will coordinate everything to ensure you’re prepared for the ride. After a briefing and bike fitting, you’ll be ready to set off on the trail. NB: Car parking is available at our new Queenstown depot (coming soon) in the Gibbston Valley.

Depending on your starting point and schedule, there are several trail options within the Queenstown Trail network. One standout is the new Shotover Gorge Trail from Arthurs Point, which passes through the impressive Hugo Tunnel before linking to the Tucker Beach Trail. Along the way, take in the striking alpine scenery surrounding the Shotover River.

If you’re based in Frankton (near the airport), the Countryside Trail to Arrowtown is a great option. This charming historic village, set beside the Arrow River, is known for its inviting shops and cafés. A worthwhile stop is Ayrburn, where beautifully restored buildings and landscaped gardens create an ideal setting to relax and enjoy food and drink.

From Arrowtown, continue along the Arrow River Bridges Trail toward Gibbston, joining the route near the Kawarau Bungy Bridge as you enter the renowned wine region. With numerous cellar doors to explore and elevated views above the Kawarau River, this section offers both exceptional scenery and memorable tasting opportunities.

After breakfast, set out on the Kawarau Gorge Trail, one of the newest additions to the Great Rides network. Tracing the Kawarau River through a striking gorge, this route links the extensive Queenstown trails with Central Otago’s renowned cycleways.

Wine enthusiasts will enjoy the unique opportunity to ride between two celebrated wine regions, travelling from Gibbston toward Bannockburn. Along the way, take in dramatic landscapes and traces of the area’s gold mining past. Consider a stop at the Goldfields Mining Centre to explore this fascinating history.

As you reach Bannockburn, follow Felton Road, home to some of New Zealand’s most prestigious wineries. A visit to Carrick Cellar Door & Garden is a perfect way to round out the day, with wine tastings and a relaxed lunch overlooking the Bannockburn Inlet. From here, join the Lake Dunstan Trail at Bannockburn Bridge, looping around the inlet and passing the Cromwell Heritage Precinct before finishing at the Kiwi Journeys Cromwell depot by 4:15 pm.