Your Journey Starts Here

The Arthurs Point Trail begins at the corner of Camp Street and Memorial Street in the heart of Queenstown. Look for the magenta-coloured trail signs that will guide you out of the city and into the gorge. Whether you're walking, cycling or scooting, this QLDC active travel route offers a genuine car-free link between the city centre and the hills — a commute with a view like no other.

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The New Shared Path

Funded through the Waka Kotahi Climate Emergency Response Fund, the trail corridor was upgraded in 2023–24 with smooth asphalt and chipseal surfaces. A new wider shared path along Robins Road, adjacent to the Queenstown Recreation Ground, connects seamlessly to the city centre — safe, direct, and open to cyclists, walkers and scooters year-round.

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Arthurs Point & The Gorge Entrance

As Gorge Road narrows into the canyon, the world shifts. Schist bluffs rise on either side, willows trace the riverbank below, and the sounds of the city fade into birdsong and rushing water. The Matakauri Wetlands — accessible via a short boardwalk loop — are a quiet highlight along this section, tucked into the gorge with mountain views that reward anyone who takes their time.

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Coronet Foothills Views

From the upper trail sections, the panoramic scale of the Whakatipu Basin opens up. The tussock-covered slopes of the Coronet foothills sweep upward, framing views toward Coronet Peak and the surrounding ranges. This is Central Otago at its most elemental — golden in autumn, snowcapped in winter, lush in spring — a landscape that changes with every season and rewards regular riders.

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Edith Cavell Bridge

One of the great landmarks along the trail, the Edith Cavell Bridge is a Category I heritage structure spanning the Shotover River at Arthurs Point. Designed by Frederick Furkert and built between 1917 and 1919, the elegant concrete arch stands 47 metres above the river. It was informally named by a local gold miner after Edith Cavell, a British nurse executed in Brussels in 1915 — a quiet memorial that became permanent through popular use.

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Gantley's Tavern

Built in 1863 as the Pack Horse Hotel, Gantley's Tavern is Queenstown's oldest hospitality business and the perfect Arthurs Point trailhead. The authentic stone building was originally run by Patrick Gantley, providing food and lodgings to gold miners. Today it offers 20 craft beers on tap, pub fare with flair, and a beautiful mountain-view beer garden. The ideal Après Bike destination.

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Onsen Hot Pools

Perched on the cliffs above the Shotover River canyon, Onsen Hot Pools is the ultimate trail reward. Private cedar-lined tubs are heated to up to 39.8°C and filled with pure mountain water, while spectacular views of the canyon and surrounding ranges unfold from every pool. Originally opened in 2007, Onsen offers classic tubs, outdoor mineral pools, and full spa treatments — all within 10 minutes of Queenstown city.

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Shotover Jet

Operating in the Shotover Canyon since 1965, Shotover Jet is one of New Zealand's most iconic adventure experiences. The world-famous Big Red boats navigate the canyon at speeds of up to 85kph in as little as 10cm of water, threading between steep stone walls carved over thousands of years. The jet boat base sits right at the heart of Arthurs Point — an unmissable add-on for anyone making the trail journey.

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Descent from Arthurs Point

A gentle descent through Sycamore forest meanders above the Shotover/Kimi-ākau river above Big Beach towards the lower gorge.

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Hugo Tunnel

The 108m long Hugo Tunnel provides a passage directly into the gorge, sponsored by the Hugo Chariable Trust, the Hugo Tunnel combines the history of the area with a spectacular trail experience. The tunnel is lit by solar lights, 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.

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Lyttle's Ladder

The trail turns back upstream to climb up to the lip of the gorge on ‘Lyttle's Ladder’ – The incredible feat to build a trail in this terrain means that this section is narrow and steep - less experienced cyclists should enjoy this short section as a walk and push their bikes up the switchbacks.

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Buck's Balcony

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.

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Shotover Gorge Trail

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.

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Kimi-ākau Bridge

The spectacular 90m Kimi-ākau suspension bridge, constructed in 2024.

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Gifted to the community by Rotary Queenstown

The Tucker Beach Trail opened in Oct 2018 and was gifted to the community to mark 75 years of Rotary's involvement in the Whakatipu. At Tucker Beach, the trail joins into the Shotover Gorge Trail that connects through to Arthurs Point.

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Tucker Beach Wildlife Reserve

This trail passes through the Tucker Beach Management Reserve, home to a number of threatened bird species including the Black-billed Gull (the worlds most endangered gull), the Banded Dotterel and Black-fronted Terns. Please keep dogs on a lead in this area.

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A stunning trail with grand mountain vistas

The Tucker Beach Trail is a wonderfully scenic trail to walk or ride with the whole family. With great views of both Coronet Peak, The Remarkable's, and the Kimi-ākau Shotover River.

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Kawarau Falls Bridge

The Twin Rivers Trail begins at the Kawarau Falls Bridge. The Kawarau Falls Bridge is actually a dam. Completed in 1926, the structure is located at the head of the Kawarau River where it arises at the outlet of Lake Wakatipu .The dam was designed to dewater the riverbed down the Kawarau River so that a treasure trove of gold supposedly located in the bed could be recovered.

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Kawarau Falls Link

Directly after the underpass of the Kawarau Falls Bridge, the Twin Rivers Trail turns right and heads up the hill to Robertson Street. There is an option to continue straight ahead onto the Twin Rivers Link - this section includes steep sections, and narrow, undulating trail.

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Old Lower Shotover Bridge

Dating back to 1871, and rebuilt in 1915, this restored historic bridge is located at a major junction of the Queenstown Trails network. Enjoy panoramic views of the Kimi-ākau Shotover River and surrounding ranges, especially The Remarkable's and Coronet Peak.

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Shotover Country & Lake Hayes Estate

The Twin Rivers Trail follows the Kimi-ākau Shotover and Kawarau River's around the perimeter of the eastern suburbs: Shotover Country and Lake Hayes Estates. Both suburbs have playgrounds, restaurants, cafes, shops and toilets.

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Old MacDonald's Hill

The first hill of the Twin Rivers Trail, Old MacDonalds Hill offers a steady climb and descent in both directions. There are great views of the Kawarau River and the flanks of The Remarkable's, as well as an excellent vantage point to watch planes making their final descent to land at Queenstown Airport.

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Thompsons Hill

Thompsons Hill is the third, and longest climb on the Twin Rivers Trail. The views from the top are very worth the effort to get there. Pace yourself up the climb, and keep your speed in check when you're heading down.

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Trail Head

The Twin Rivers Trail ends at Morven Ferry Road, where it intersects with the Arrow River Bridges Trail. From here, carry on to Gibbston or Arrowtown.

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The Middle Hill

Past Lake Hayes Estate, cross Billie's Bridge over Hayes Creek, and begin the second decent climb of the Twin Rivers Trail. The Middle Hill is a longer climb than Old MacDonald Hill, and a large land slip that came down in 2024, still partially blocks the trail. There is a safe route across the slip, but please dismount your bike and walk if you don't feel confident to ride across.

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Queenstown Gardens

The Queenstown Gardens Te Kararo marks the official start of the Queenstown Great Ride. Frankton Track starts on Marine Parade, following the shoreline of Lake Whakatipu. Spot the Lady of the Lake TSS Earnslaw as she steams in or out of harbor, and enjoy expansive views of the surrounding peaks. The Queenstown Gardens are tranquil and well worth exploring year round.

Frankton Arm

Frankton Track meanders beside Frankton Arm between Queenstown and Frankton Beach. There are several picnic and paddling spots beside the trail, and several linking pathways to provide access to Frankton Road and Queenstown Hill.

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Frankton Marina

Frankton Marina is home to restaurants, cafes and a brewery. Frankton Marina is a great place to stop for a rest or refreshments.

Frankton Beach

Frankton Beach is a gorgeous picnic and swimming spot, equipped with BBQ, Toilets and shelter. Follow the beach around to the Kawarau Falls Bridge and the start of the Twin Rivers Trail, or head into Frankton for shops, food and public transport options.