Nelson & friends Lake Dunstan Trail & 3 Gorges

On arrival into Queenstown, please make your own way to your pre-tour accommodation at the Hilton Hotel, Kawarau Village. Taxis and shuttles are readily available from the airport. You will be free to explore Queenstown for the rest of the day.

Meals:  Nil

We will meet in the Hilton Hotel reception at 9am for a briefing and set away around the Kelvin Heights Peninsula for our first ride on arguably the best of the Queenstown Trails. We start with a loop around the Queenstown Golf Course with stunning lake views and numerous sculptures. The lakeside trail then joins the Twin Rivers and Countryside Trails which take us through to Arrowtown in time for lunch. We then continue onto the Arrow River Bridges Ride which includes 2 spectacular suspension bridges. From the historic Kawarau Bridge, we join the Gibbston Valley Trail finishing our ride at one of the local wineries. A drive over the Crown Range and through the delightful Cardrona valley takes us to Wanaka for the night. If time allows we will stop at the historic Cardrona Hotel for a drink on the way through. Cycling distance: approx 51km

Meals:  D

Today we start on the 12km Outlet Track with spectacular scenery following the Clutha River/Mata-Au from its start at the Lake Wanaka Outlet Road and finishes at the Hikuwai Reserve in 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 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. Depending on timing and how the legs are feeling, there's an optional extra 17km ride on quiet sealed roads through to the historic Red Bridge at Luggate before driving through to the Heritage Cromwell Resort near Pisa Moorings. Cycling distance: upto 37km

Meals:  B,L,D

Today is our turn on the new Lake Dunstan Trail. After breakfast we'll head to Smith's Way, following the glistening shores of Lake Dunstan to Cromwell Heritage Precinct. Here we’ll park up and explore the boutique galleries, stores, restaurants and cafes on offer. From the Precinct the trail follows the Kawarau arm of Lake Dunstan to the Bannockburn Bridge with more amazing vistas across the lake to the Bannockburn vineyards. The trail then 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. Cycling distance: 54km

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 our accommodation in Alexandra for the night. Cycling distance: 58km

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 where we'll start our final ride of the trip, a lovely 12km pedal along the riverbank through to Clyde. After a well deserved celebratory drink we'll transfer back to Queenstown where you will say a sad farewell to your guides and you will be delivered to the Hilton Hotel for your final night. Cycling distance: 49km

Meals:  B,L

Taxis and shuttle buses can be arranged to take you from your hotel to the airport. Any additional nights accommodation can be booked on request.

Meals:  Nil