2
introductory to moderate
Activities
  • 5 days cycle trail
Accommodation
  • 5 nights hotel/motel
Meals
  • 5 Dinners
  • 4 Lunches
  • 5 Breakfasts

6 Days$NZD

Trip Code: SOG7198

Trip highlights


  • Explore the stunning Queenstown Kelvin Heights & Arrow River Bridges cycle trails
  • Ride the delightful Outlet Track and Lake Hawea River Trail
  • Cycle the full Lake Dunstan Trail on this stunningly engineered trail
  • 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 Clyde, Cromwell & 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 to 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. After a short break to explore the Cromwell Heritage Precinct we head 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. A short section of the Otago Central Rail Trail takes us back to Clyde where we spend our final overnight before driving to Christchurch where the tour concludes.

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 head to ride around the Kelvin Peninsula Loop offering a birds eye view of Queenstown Bay, Walter Peak and the Frankton Arm. We'll pass fascinating sculptures before continuing along the lake shore to the historic Kawarau Falls bridge. The trail then joins the Twin Rivers and Countryside Trails which take us through to the gold mining town of Arrowtown in time for lunch. We can wander through the shops and galleries or the Chinese settlement built in the mid 1800's. 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 with time for an optional tasting. A drive over the Crown Range and through the delightful Cardrona valley takes us to Wanaka for the night. 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 12km 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. We will ride the Lake Dunstan Trail along the lake and 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 where we will spend the next 2 nights. Cycling distance: upto 41km

Meals:  B,L,D

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 Cromwell with time to explore before we meet again for dinner. Cycling distance: 43km

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 back to Clyde. Clyde will be our base for the next 2 nights. In the early evening we will head to the boutique Village Winery for a tasting before dinner. 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 short section of Otago Central Rail Trail back to Clyde. Cycling distance: 49km

Meals:  B,L,D

After breakfast we drive to Christchurch through the vast Mackenzie Country with its arid mountainous landscapes and vivid turquoise lakes. We have stops for morning tea and lunch and to stretch our legs. We arrive into the central city in the afternoon and will be delivered to Cathedral Junction around 3pm.

Meals:  B


Inclusions

  • Tasty breakfasts (x5), lunch (x4), dinners (x5) catered to all dietary requirements
  • 5 nights comfortable hotel/apartment/lodge accommodation on a twin share basis
  • Experienced guides who handle all the hard bits and share epic stories
  • Tasty nutritious snacks, drinks and treats
  • Full vehicle support along the trail including trailer for luggage
  • Scenic Jet boat ride on the Clutha River
  • Wine tasting a boutique Central Otago Vineyard
  • Hire of regular mountain bike and helmet
  • Concession fees paid to the Department of Conservation

  • Arrival and departure transfers
  • Meals not mentioned in the itinerary
  • All beverages, other than breakfast
  • e-Bike hire and helmet discounted to $99
  • 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

About Your Leader

Our guides are one of our biggest assets and we pride ourselves on their level of quality and high standards. We will 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. Most of the trails are a gentle gradient, however there are a few hills and switchbacks. 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 and on compacted gravel, the more enjoyable your trip will be.


Departure dates


Notes

BP
Base Price
S
Single Supplement

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

$NZD

Options & Supplements*
  • Single SupplementNZD$595
  • e-Bike HireNZD$99
*Prices listed are per person

Essential information

Ready to book? Make sure you download and read the detailed Farm & Leisure Tours: Lake Dunstan & 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.


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