2
Introductory to Moderate

Traveller Rating

 

Activities
  • 5 day cycle trail
Accommodation
  • 4 nights hotel/motel
Meals
  • 3 Dinners
  • 4 Lunches
  • 4 Breakfasts

5 Days$3195NZD

Trip Code: QCG

Trip highlights


  • Explore the breathtaking Queenstown & Arrow River Bridges cycle trails
  • Experience the stunningly engineered Lake Dunstan Trail by bike
  • Enjoy the scenic Wanaka Outlet Track and Hawea River Trail
  • Tasting at a boutique winery
  • Ride the Clyde to Alexandra River Trail
  • Follow NZ’s mightiest river on the Clutha Gold & Roxburgh Gorge Trails
  • Experience a scenic jet boat transfer
  • Soak up the glittering history of towns such as Arrowtown, Clyde, and Lawrence

Explore the full Lake Dunstan, Clutha Gold and Roxburgh Gorge trails at the perfect pace on this fully supported trip.

After warming up on the stunning Queenstown Trails we head over to Wanaka where we ride the Outlet Track and Lake Hawea River Trail. Next up is the Lake Dunstan Trail, initially following the glistening lake's edge to Cromwell, with time to explore the Cromwell Heritage Precinct. The following day we ride the remainder of the Lake Dunstan Trail, heading across the Bannockburn Bridge, into the picturesque Cromwell Gorge and through to the charming town of Clyde.

The next day we head across to Lawrence and ride the Clutha Gold Cycle Trail, starting near Gabriel’s Gully, the historic sight of the first gold strike in Central Otago. Enjoy riding the purpose built cycle way, past farmland and fruit orchards, following the beautiful turquoise waters of the mighty Clutha River. This leads us onto the Roxburgh Gorge Trail which includes a scenic jet boat ride on the Clutha through the narrow, rugged gorge.

Charming country towns and warm hospitality are all part of the package, as is delicious food & wine and ample opportunity to meet the locals.


After an early morning briefing in Queenstown we saddle up for our first ride on arguably the best of the Queenstown Trails. We set off riding from our hotel and quickly join the Frankton Trail, a well formed shingle track along the shore of Lake Wakatipu with stunning mountain and lake views. On reaching the old Kawerau Bridge at Frankton, we join the Twin Rivers Trail and then the Countryside Trail through to Arrowtown, a delightful old gold mining town, in time for lunch. We then continue onto the Arrow River Bridges Trail which includes 2 spectacular suspension bridges and is a delightful ride through to the historic Kawerau Bridge where we can witness bungy jumpers and zipliners getting their adrenaline fix! A scenic drive down the Kawerau Gorge takes us past the historic Roaring Meg and Kawerau gold diggings through to the lakeside town of Wanaka where we'll spend our first night and enjoy our first group dinner this evening. Cycling distance: 43km/25 miles Accommodation: Edgewater Hotel or Oakridge Resort

Meals:  D

After a hearty cafe breakfast we 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 its trout fishing and the track offers easy riding with many spots to stop and enjoy the spectacular scenery along the way. Next up is the delightful Hawea River Track, easily accessed from the end of the Outlet track. This 10km bike trail following the Hawea River from Albert Town to Lake Hawea is an easy grade and beautifully scenic. After lunch we transfer the short distance to Smith's Way on the shore of Lake Dunstan. From here we ride the first section of the Lake Dunstan Trail along the lake through to the Cromwell Heritage Precinct. Here we’ll park up and explore the boutique galleries, stores, restaurants and cafes on offer before checking into our accommodation. Dinner at your leisure tonight. Cycling distance: 41km/26 miles Accommodation: Carrick Lodge Motel, Cromwell

Meals:  B,L

Today we rejoin the Lake Dunstan Trail which loops back and around the Bannockburn Inlet and continues toward Cornish Point, passing by vineyards and olive groves. The trail enters the stunning Cromwell Gorge where you’ll cycle around sheer rockfaces and over lake inlets on impressively engineered platforms and bridges rising above Lake Dunstan. Lake Dunstan was created from the damming of the mighty Clutha Mata-au River, New Zealand’s second longest river, and the trail passes the historically controversial hydroelectric Clyde Dam before finishing at the Red Bridge at Clyde. Our final ride today is on the Clyde to Alexandra River Trail, a delightful, mainly flat 10km ride along the bank of the Clutha River. We then drive back to Clyde with time to explore this small historic town and enjoy a wine tasting at a boutique winery. Cycling distance: 53km/33 miles Accommodation: Dunstan House, Clyde

Meals:  B,L,D

Our Central Otago cycling adventure continues on the Clutha Gold Cycle Trail. The day begins with the drive to Lawrence, birthplace of the 1860s gold rush. After a wander around this delightful village, we’ll hop on our bikes for the gentle climb up to the 434m-long Big Tunnel. Downhill at Beaumont we’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, we’ll reach the small farming settlement of Millers Flat and then a final 14 kms through to Pinders Pond from where we’ll drive through to Lake Roxburgh Village and our lodge accommodation for the night. Cycling distance: 58km/36 miles Accommodation: Roxburgh Lodge

Meals:  B,L,D

We head back to Pinders Pond to continue our ride along the Clutha Gold Cycle Trail, past interesting riverside landmarks and deep into the orchard-lands of the Teviot Valley. The amazing Roxburgh hydro dam marks the end of the Clutha Gold Trail and the start of the Roxburgh Gorge Trail. With amazing northerly vistas across the Lake Roxburgh the trail drops into the Gorge and then heads away from the water passing through a small 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 we 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 with stone-walled water races and other remnants of gold mining activity. We continue tracing the gorge to finally emerge in Alexandra marking the end of our riding adventure before the drive back to Queenstown. Cycling distance: 37km/23 miles

Meals:  B,L

Map

Elevation

The map and elevation chart are for illustrative purposes only and meant to provide general guidelines.



Inclusions

  • Tasty cafe breakfasts (x4), gourmet picnic or cafe lunches (x4), two course restaurant dinners (x3) catered to all dietary requirements
  • 4 nights comfortable motel/hotel accommodation on a twin share basis
  • Experienced guides who handle all the logistics so as you can relax and enjoy the trails (2 guides with groups of 8 or more)
  • Tasty and nutritious snacks, drinks and treats plus our famous morning and afternoon teas
  • Full vehicle support along the trail including trailer for luggage
  • Scenic jet boat ride on the Clutha River (Roxburgh Gorge)
  • Wine tasting at a boutique Central Otago vineyard
  • Return transport from Queenstown
  • Rider fees paid to the Trail Trusts for ongoing maintenance and improvements
  • Pre departure information kit to help you plan and prepare

  • International or domestic flights and taxes
  • Arrival and departure transfers
  • Meals not mentioned in the itinerary
  • All beverages, other than breakfast
  • Bike hire (including helmet)
  • Water bottle (help us save the environment and bring your own bike drink bottle)
  • Personal expenses (eg. phone calls, internet, laundry, shopping etc)
  • Travel insurance
  • Visa (if required)

About Your Leader

Our guides are one of our biggest assets and we pride ourselves on their level of quality and high standards. Once the trip reaches 8 people, we provide you with two of our expert guides to maximise your enjoyment and overall experience. You’ll know you’re in safe hands as all of our guides are certified in first aid and CPR and many of them are trained bike mechanics. They come from all walks of life but our guides have a common desire to give you the best possible experience, fun and lots of fond memories to take home with you.


Accommodation


Bike information


Trail Surface


Grading

Introductory to Moderate  
2

The cycle trails on this trip are graded introductory-moderate. The trails are generally a good width with a compacted gravel trail surface but there can be exposure in places along the Gorges, as well as narrow sections with switchbacks so experience on this type of terrain is needed. Most of the trails are a gentle gradient, however there are a few hills and sharp inclines. You will need a reasonable level of fitness and we suggest 2-3 rides per week of 2-3 hours for the three months leading up to your trip. We recommend training on compacted gravel trails, and completing a multi-day ride prior to your trip to get used to being in the saddle for long periods of time. The more training you have done on hills with switchbacks and narrow trails and on compacted gravel, the more enjoyable your trip will be.


Departure dates


Notes

HS
Holiday Season
H
High Season
Note:
High season supplement applies from 1-30 November, and 1 February-31 March, Holiday supplement applies on any trips that overlap with a public holiday

Want to organise a private group?

Fundraising events, sporting groups, family treats; learn how you can organise a Private Group from just 6 travellers.

Priceper person from

$3195NZD

Options & Supplements*
  • Bike RentalNZD$150
  • Ebike RentalNZD$500
  • Single Supplement - Limited to 2 per departureNZD$595
*Prices listed are per person

Essential information

Ready to book? Make sure you download and read the detailed Lake Dunstan Trail and 3 Gorges trip notes which contains all the essential information you need to know before booking. Once you’ve booked, we will supply you with a Pre-Departure document which contains a detailed gear list and other important information to help you prepare for your adventure ahead.


Trip reviews


Videos

Lake Dunstan Trail: New Zealand's most spectacular bike ride has just opened | TRAVEL | STUFF TRAVEL

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