Cycle Kawarau Gorge, Dunstan and Otago Rail Trails

After an early morning briefing in Queenstown and a short transfer, we saddle up for our first ride on arguably the best of the Queenstown Trails. We set off riding on the Wharehuanui Trail, the latest addition to the Trail network. Starting in Arthurs Point, the trail crosses various wetlands and riparian zones and traverses the foothills of Coronet Peak. The trail passes parts of the famous Millbrook golf course before joining up with the Countryside Trail. From here we head south, enjoying quiet countryside as we pass breathtaking architecture, tree-lined avenues and stunning alpine vistas. The trail joins up with the spectacular Shotover River, before arriving at the historic Old Lower Shotover Bridge. Here we join the Twin Rivers Trail following the Shotover and Kawarau Rivers through to our lunch stop near Lake Hayes. After lunch we'll head along the shores of the Lake, which is often very calm, producing incredible reflections of the mountain ranges that surround it, through to Arrowtown, a delightful old gold mining town and our overnight stop. There should be time for a wander through this historic town before enjoying our first group dinner. Cycling distance: 42km/26 miles; +460m/1509ft

Meals:  L,D

In the heart of Central Otago’s picturesque landscape the new 32km Kawarau Gorge trail bridges the gap between Queenstown and the existing Central Otago trails. But before we tackle this trail gem, we leave Arrowtown via the delightful Arrow River Bridges Trail, which includes 2 spectacular suspension bridges and journeys through to the historic Kawarau Bridge, where we can witness bungy jumpers and zipliners getting their adrenaline fix. Next is the Gibbston Valley trail, which winds its way high above the Kawarau River through Central Otago's premier wine-growing region, Gibbston the 'Valley of Vines' to the start of the new Kawarau Gorge Trail. The trail meanders around the Nevis Bluff and winds through previously inaccessible segments of the Kawarau Gorge, treating you to scenery that will simply steal your breath away. We’ll experience the sheer majesty of the Kawarau River with the trail winding its way across suspension bridges and navigating the gorge on the opposite side to the state highway, offering a unique perspective of the landscape. Beyond the natural wonders, the area is rich in history with incredible stories of early gold mining days, ingenious power generation projects, tales of rabbit hunting, and the ancient routes traversed by early Maori waiting to be discovered. We finish this remarkable cycle journey in Bannockburn and head over the river to Cromwell where we spend the evening. Dinner at your leisure tonight. Cycle : approx 48km/30miles, +487m/1597ft

Meals:  B,L

Today, we spend the first of 2 days on New Zealand's original Great Ride, the Central Otago Rail Trail, which opened in 2000. The 152km trail follows the former Otago Central railway line, which was responsible for opening up Central Otago by helping farmers and orchardists in Central Otago get their stock and produce to market in Dunedin. A short van transfer see us riding from Clyde via the historic railway line, we’ll track across rural plains encircled by dramatic mountain ranges. Beyond the tiny settlement of Chatto Creek, the trail climbs gently before levelling off for easy riding through to the township of Lauder. The next section features the trip’s first tunnels and old railway bridges as we trace the pretty Poolburn Gorge and head into the Idaburn Valley. Time permitting, we’ll stop at Hayes Engineering Works, a delightfully rustic heritage site, and Oturehua’s old-fashioned grocery store. From there it's a gentle climb to the rail trail’s highpoint, then a downhill roll to either Wedderburn or Ranfurly with its striking art deco architecture. Cycle: 76km/48miles, +761m/2516ft

Meals:  B,L,D

From Ranfurly, the trail tracks towards Waipiata, then follows the edge of an old lake before entering the picturesque Taieri Gorge with more bridges and tunnels. It’s a flowing downhill run to the historic Hotel Hyde, a picturesque spot for a breather. From here, the final 27km takes in the poignant 1943 Hyde rail disaster memorial, then wends across rolling plains towards the trail’s end at Middlemarch. After a cafe lunch to celebrate completing our 3rd Great Ride, we’ll board the support vehicle for the drive to Alexandra, the hottest, driest and coldest town in New Zealand! Our final group dinner tonight, before tomorrow's Grand Finale ride on the Lake Dunstan Trail. Cycle : 75km/47 miles, +318m/1043ft

Meals:  B,L,D

A true Queen stage awaits us today. Riding from our accommodation we cross the mighty Clutha/Mata Au River and join the delightful River Trail which meanders beside the true right bank of the river through to Clyde. Here we hop on the Dunstan Explorer for a stunning boat ride up the lake to a drop off point on the lakeside, where we'll join the famous Lake Dunstan Cycle Trail. Initially following the glistening shores of the lake, it's an easy pedal through to Cromwell’s Old Town, a small historic precinct dating back to the gold rush days of the 1800s. Here the galleries, coffee shops and boutiques give us a short break from the bike. The trail continues along the Kawarau arm of Lake Dunstan to the Bannockburn Bridge offering stunning views across the lake while passing by wineries and olive groves. From Cornish Point some riders will continue into the dramatic Cromwell Gorge, where the track winds around sheer rockfaces and over lake inlets on impressively engineered platforms and bridges rising above the lake to Clyde. For those riders who wish to avoid the more demanding section through the gorge, there will be an option to drive to Clyde and ride in towards the far end of the Gorge. We finish by a lakeside beach, so weather permitting it's a great place to soak sore muscles before a stop for a real fruit ice-cream on the way back to Queenstown in the van. There will be a drop off at the airport and another in the centre of town. Please avoid booking any international flights tonight and any domestic flights departing before 7pm. Cycle : Alexandra to Clyde River Trail : 18km/11miles,+168m/551ft Lake Dunstan Trail - McNulty Inlet to Cornish Point 17km/11miles, +187m/613ft Lake Dunstan Trail - Cornish Point to Clyde Rowing Club (Moderate) – 24km/15miles, 346m/1134ft

Meals:  B,L