Lake Dunstan Trail and 3 Gorges

Itinerary Details

1. Day 1Queenstown Trails to Gibbston Valley

   After an early morning briefing in Queenstown, you’ll saddle up for your first ride on arguably the best of the Queenstown Trails. Starting from the hotel, you’ll quickly join the Frankton Trail, a well-formed shingle track along the shore of Lake Wakatipu, offering stunning mountain and lake views.

   Upon reaching the old Kawarau Bridge at Frankton, you’ll transition to the Twin Rivers Trail and then the Countryside Trail, arriving in the charming old gold mining town of Arrowtown just in time for lunch. The journey continues on the Arrow River Bridges Trail, featuring two spectacular suspension bridges, leading you to the historic Kawarau Bridge where you can watch bungy jumpers and zipliners getting their adrenaline fix! A scenic drive down the Kawarau Gorge will take you past the historic Roaring Meg and Kawarau gold diggings to the lakeside town of Wanaka, where you’ll spend your first night and enjoy a group dinner.

   • 24.9 miles
   • Wanaka Heights Motel
   • Dinner
2. Day 2Wanaka to Cromwell

   After a hearty café breakfast, you’ll 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 trout fishing, and the track offers easy riding with many spots to stop and enjoy the spectacular scenery along the way.

   Next, you’ll take the delightful Hawea River Track, easily accessed from the end of the Outlet Trail. This 10km bike trail follows the Hawea River from Albert Town to Lake Hawea, offering an easy and beautifully scenic ride. After lunch, you’ll transfer a short distance to Smith's Way on the shore of Lake Dunstan. From here, you’ll ride the first section of the Lake Dunstan Trail along the lake to the Cromwell Heritage Precinct.

   Here, you’ll park your bikes and explore the boutique galleries, stores, restaurants, and cafes before checking into your accommodation. Dinner is at your leisure tonight.

   • 25.5 miles
   • Carrick Lodge Motel, Cromwell
   • Breakfast and Lunch
3. Day 3Lake Dunstan Trail to Clyde; River Trail

   Today, you’ll rejoin the Lake Dunstan Trail, which loops back around the Bannockburn Inlet and continues toward Cornish Point, passing vineyards and olive groves. The trail enters the stunning Cromwell Gorge, where you’ll cycle around sheer rock faces and over lake inlets on impressively engineered platforms and bridges rising above Lake Dunstan. This lake was created by the damming of the mighty Clutha Mata-au River, New Zealand’s second longest river. The trail passes the historically controversial hydroelectric Clyde Dam before finishing at the Red Bridge at Clyde.

   Your final ride today is on the Clyde to Alexandra River Trail, a delightful and mainly flat 10km ride along the bank of the Clutha River. You’ll then drive back to Clyde, with time to explore this small historic town and enjoy a wine tasting at a boutique winery.

   • 32.9 miles
   • Dunstan House, Clyde
   • Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner
4. Day 4Cycle the Clutha Gold Trail

   Your Central Otago cycling adventure continues on the Clutha Gold Cycle Trail. The day begins with the drive to Lawrence, the birthplace of the 1860s gold rush. After a wander around this delightful village, you’ll hop on your bike for the gentle climb up to the 434m-long Big Tunnel.

   Downhill at Beaumont, you’ll meet the mighty Clutha River once again. Be prepared to be captivated by its swirling, turquoise waters. Twenty scenic kilometres on through the scenic Beaumont Gorge, you’ll reach the small farming settlement of Millers Flat and then a final 14 kms through to Pinders Pond from where you’ll drive through to Lake Roxburgh Village and your lodge accommodation for the night.
   

   • 36 miles
   • Roxburgh Lodge
   • Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner
5. Day 5Roxburgh Gorge Trail, to Queenstown

   You’ll head back to Pinders Pond to continue your ride along the Clutha Gold Cycle Trail, passing interesting riverside landmarks and deep into the orchard lands of the Teviot Valley. The impressive Roxburgh hydro dam marks the end of the Clutha Gold Trail and the start of the Roxburgh Gorge Trail. With stunning northerly views across Lake Roxburgh, the trail descends into the gorge, then veers away from the water, passing through a 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 you’ll 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, featuring stone-walled water races and other remnants of gold mining activity. You’ll continue tracing the gorge until you finally emerge in Alexandra, marking the end of your riding adventure before driving back to Queenstown.

   • 23 miles
   • Breakfast and Lunch

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     Jet Boating in New Zealand

     Take an exhilarating break on the last day as you and the bikes enjoy a jet boat ride on the Clutha River