Eating and Drinking
Shotover Gorge Trail
OPEN SUNDAY 13 APRIL FROM 12 NOON
5.5 km one way from Arthurs Point to Tucker Beach
or 10.5 km to Old Lower Shotover Bridge (incl. Tucker Beach Trail)
Grade 3, with short sections of grade 4 on the Hugo Tunnel section
To begin this epic adventure from the end of the Wharehuanui Trail outside Gantleys Tavern, take the Arthurs Point Link Trail towards Queenstown until the trailhead for the Shotover Gorge Trail appears on the left. A gentle descent through Sycamore forest meanders above the Shotover/Kimi-ākau river above Big Beach towards the lower gorge.
As the trail reaches the bluffs and seemingly a dead-end, the 108m long Hugo Tunnel provides a passage directly into the gorge, and combines a snapshot of the incredible mining history of the area with a spectacular trail experience. Stop here to read about the history of the tunnel, or pass through with the benefit of solar lighting, activated with a push button just inside the tunnel portal. The tunnel tramlines are left in-situ, so be wary and please walk your bike.
Once at the far end, Shotover Jetboats can be seen at close-quarters in the narrow canyon (no swimming!), and the trail turns back upstream to climb up to the lip of the gorge on ‘Lyttles Ladder’ – This section is narrow and steep, with a couple of grade 4 corners – less experienced cyclists should enjoy this short section as a walk and push their bikes up the switchbacks. Incredible views of the gorge below open up as you climb, and are best enjoyed from ‘Bucks Balcony’ as the trail weaves through ferns and native plantings towards Tucker Beach.
At the top of the tunnel climb, another rest area provides welcome relief at the junction with the tunnel bypass route. This intersection allows a connection with the Wharehuanui Trail via Littles Road and the Redemption carpark for those who aren’t good with confined spaces, or in a flood event . The switchbacks down to Littles Road are tight, so we recommend walking this short 400m section for less experienced cyclists.
Continuing downstream on the Shotover Gorge Trail, the lip of the canyon opens out to a wider landscape, with awesome views of the Remarkables appearing from behind Queenstown Hill. The trail drops into ‘Little Stream’ and a wooded dell, crossing McQuilkin’s Bridge, with another rest opportunity at McQuilkin’s lookout. The views of the canyon below from here are incredible, but be wary of the cliffs below.
Approaching Tucker Beach, a junction allows for an exit to Fitzpatrick Road up a steep farm track, or a more technical grade 4 adventure on the non-surfaced Lower Shotover Trail along the true-left of the river. The main trail zig-zags down towards the river, past the remains of a salvaged dredge used in the late 1800’s gold mining boom and onto the spectacular 90m Kimi-ākau suspension bridge, constructed in 2024. The bridge affords amazing views back up the Shotover Gorge, and opportunities to see the jet boats performing 360degree spins below.
From the Tucker Beach Recreation Reserve, continue on the Tucker Beach Trail along a short section of shared road before dropping into the Wildlife Management Reserve, home to many rare nesting birds and focus of an extensive restoration project. Climbing gently through bluffs on the true right of the river now, views of the Old Lower Shotover Bridge soon come into view, with trail connections to Frankton (Twin Rivers Trail) and Arrowtown (Countryside Trail).
