Coronet Loop Repairs are currently underway and Coronet Loop is still closed. Coronet Face Water Race is open.
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Explore the beautiful Queenstown Trail over 4 days. Cycle over 130kms on off-road trails set in alpine grandeur. The trail takes you from Queenstown to Gibbston via Arrowtown. You’ll take in lakes and mountains, winding rivers, historic buildings and plenty of bridges, wine tasting, fine food and as much coffee and cake as you wish. Experience a different (quieter) side to Queenstown.
Starting at the Queenstown Gardens, it’s a flat and easy ride to Frankton Beach as the trail follows the shore of Lake Wakatipu, depending on how you are feeling and the time of day, at the Frankton Maria call in to the historic Boatshed for coffee and a delicious sticky bun or Altitude Brewing for a local craft beer. Continue on past Frankton Beach and make your way up to the historic Kawarau Falls Bridge where you can take in the amazing views to the Remarkables Mountain range and peer down to the crystal clear waters flowing below as Lake Wakatipu flows into the Kawarau River (8.4kms Easy / Grade 2).
Descend from the Kawarau Falls Bridge, passing the Hilton Hotel and another opportunity for good coffee or food. Continue along the lakeside trail, passing lakeside mansions and numerous jetties and beaches until you reach Kelvin Grove and the Queenstown Yacht Club. The loop around the golf course has some fantastic sculptures amongst the trees. Take your time and explore this magical trail and see how many of the sculptures you can spot! Follow the Kelvin Peninsula Sculpture Trail around the Queenstown Golf Course for more sweeping views across the lake. As the trail nears Jardine Park, there is an optional technical section called the Kelvin Peninsula Lakeside Trail, suitable for more advanced riders. Otherwise, follow the signs via a short stretch of road, cycle along Grove Lane to Peninsula Road, turning right onto Poplar Drive for an easier route to Jardine Park (8kms Easy / Grade 2).
The Jack's Point Trail starts in Jardine Park and hugs the shores of the Lake Wakatipu. The trail includes some sharp bends and steep climbs – it is a little more challenging than the rest of the Queenstown Trail, but the views are magnificent and physical exertion is more than compensated by visual rewards! After the final climb, take the left-hand junction and follow signs to the Jack’s Point Clubhouse. Advanced riders also have the choice of turning right and along the Jack's Point Peninsula Trail – the descent into and climb out from this Grade 5 section is very steep, and we would recommend this only to fit, advanced riders. At the Clubhouse, you’ll be rewarded with an opportunity to relax and refuel with delicious and indulgent food (6-8.3 km Advanced - Easy / Grade 3-5).
Once you’ve refuelled, re-trace your steps on the Jack’s Point Trail and link back onto the Kelvin Peninsula Trail back towards Kawarau Falls Bridge. Eat, drink and spend the night in Frankton (13-15.4 km Advanced - Easy / Grade 3-5).
At the Kawarau Falls Bridge follow signs for the Twin Rivers Trail and wind your way down to join the rivers edge as you head towards the Shotover Delta. At the Shotover confluence, head upstream to the historic Old Lower Shotover Bridge, fully restored by the Rotary Association in 2004 and a great vantage point to enjoy the river and views to Coronet Peak and the Remarkables. Cross the bridge, and look for signs for the Countryside Trail, which passes back underneath the old bridge and upstream alongside the Shotover River. (6.5km Grade 3 / Intermediate).
The Countryside Trail begins on a gentle willow-lined riverbank, before a short climb to Domain Road. Save some juice for the pedal up Slopehill Road, after which you’ll be rewarded with great 360 views over the Wakatipu Basin until you meet Rutherford Road where there is a connection to the Lake Hayes Trail (8km Grade 3 / Intermediate).
Follow the trail downhill through rolling farmland. At Rutherford Road, turn right and follow signs down to the Lake Hayes Trail. This popular scenic loop is one not to miss. The lake surface is often very calm and rewards trail users with stunning reflections of the mountain ranges that surround it. If you’ve worked up a hunger by now stop for a picnic at the reserve or one of the many benches along the trail, or head to Amisfield Winery and Bistro, which is just a short hop across the Lake Hayes Rd from the south of the Lake Hayes Circuit Trail (8 km Loop Grade 3 / Intermediate).
From Lake Hayes return to the Countryside Trail via Rutherford Rd and turn right to follow the trail across Speargrass Flat Rd where you’ll see signs to Arrowtown. Another climb up Christine’s Hill leads to Millbrook resort, where you would be strongly advised to stop for a coffee and awesome food at the Hole-in-One café. Leave Millbrook Resort via the tree lined avenue, cross Malaghans Rd and re-join the trail at Manse Rd where you’ll wind down to the Arrow River and into the historic Arrowtown Chinese Settlement. There are some great walking tracks from here up around Sawpit Gully and Bush Creek, and the main street is literally 50 metres away (5.5kms Grade 3 / Intermediate). Explore, eat, drink and spend the night in Arrowtown.
At the Kawarau Falls Bridge follow signs for the Twin Rivers Trail which winds its way down to join the rivers edge as you head towards the Shotover Delta. At the Shotover confluence, head upstream to the historic Old Lower Shotover Bridge, fully restored by the Rotary Association in 2004 and a great vantage point to enjoy the river and views to Coronet Peak and the Remarkables. Cross the bridge, and look for signs for the Countryside Trail, which passes back underneath the old bridge and upstream alongside the Shotover River. (6.5km Intermediate / Grade 3)
The Countryside Trail begins on a gentle willow-lined riverbank, before a short climb to Domain Road. Save some juice for the walk up Slopehill Road, after which you’ll be rewarded with great 360 views over the Wakatipu Basin. Follow the trail downhill through rolling farml until you meet Rutherford Road where there is a connection to the Lake Hayes Trail (8km Intermediate / Grade 3)
At Rutherford Road, turn right and follow signs down to the Lake Hayes Trail. This popular scenic loop is one not to miss. The lake surface is often very calm and rewards trail users with stunning reflections of the mountain ranges that surround it. If you’ve worked up a hunger by now stop for a picnic at the reserve or one of the many benches along the trail, or head to Amisfield Winery and Bistro, which is just a short hop across the Lake Hayes Rd from the south of the Lake Hayes Circuit Trail (8 km Loop, Intermediate / Grade 3)
From Lake Hayes return to the Countryside Trail via Rutherford Rd and turn right to follow the trail across Speargrass Flat Rd where you’ll see signs to Arrowtown. Another climb up Christine’s Hill leads to Millbrook resort, where you would be strongly advised to stop for a coffee and awesome food at the Hole-in-One café. Leave Millbrook Resort via the tree lined avenue, cross Malaghans Rd and re-join the trail at Manse Rd where you’ll wind down to the Arrow River and into the historic Arrowtown Chinese Settlement. There are some great walking tracks from here up around Sawpit Gully and Bush Creek, and the main street is only 50 metres away (5.5kms Intermediate / Grade 3). Explore, eat, drink and spend the night in Arrowtown.
Enjoy breakfast in one of the many Arrowtown eateries, find your way to the Arrow River and head downstream onto the Arrow River Bridges Trail, one of the Queenstown Trail's most popular sections. The route zigzags across five wonderful bridges, including the Southern Discoveries Bridge and the 80-metre long Edgar Bridge, both of which are suspension bridges providing great views and photo opportunities. (10.5 km Easy / Grade 2 and Intermediate / Grade 3).
At the Morven Ferry Road trail junction, continue along the Arrow River Bridges Trail to go under the SH6 via the Barfoot Tunnel towards the historic Kawarau Suspension Bridge.. Stop at the AJ Hackett Kawarau Bridge Bungy Centre for a coffee or ice cream and some bungy spectating down on the viewing platform, here you'll find several informative panels about the history of the bridge and the area. (3 kms Intermediate / Grade 3).
If wine is more your thing, the Gibbston River Trail starts here and the trail takes you into the 'Valley of Vines' - Central Otago's premier wine growing region. The Gibbston River Trail follows the eastern banks of the Kawarau River and affords stunning views down to the incredible blue river. Gibbston is home to more than eight wineries, so there are lots of options for stopping to taste the renowned Gibbston Pinot Noir. For lunch bring a picnic to enjoy at one of the many benches along the trail or the shady Gibbston Community Reserve, or visit Gibbston Valley Wines, Kinross Bistro or the Gibbston Tavern. Explore what the area has to offer, ride some more and spend the night in Gibbston (8.7 km Easy / Grade 2).
If you are feeling energetic, shortly after the start of the Gibbston River Trail, follow the signs to Chard Farm Road and take a short detour of 2.3 km (one way) on gravel road to the other side of the river to Chard Farm Winery, where tastings are available. The views of the river from here are spectacular and this winery makes some of the best wines in the region. (2.3 km Easy / Grade 2)
If you feel like a challenge, the sign-posted Peregrine Loop Trail is a great section of trail for advanced riders - the views of the river from here are fantastic and you might even see some whitewater rafters tackling the 'dog leg'. This section has steep grades and tight corners, so can always be explored on foot instead. (2.1 km Intermediate to Advanced - Grade 3/4)
At Gibbston Back Road – currently the end of the trail, visit Mt Rosa Winery or Brennan Wines and if you fancy a bit more riding and an escape from the highway, cycle up the road and continue until it meets Coal Pit Road, where you can enjoy a long and fun downhill on a quiet sealed road, which will take you straight back to the Gibbston Tavern and Community Reserve on Coal Pit Road. (5.2 km Easy / Grade 2)
If you are feeling energetic, shortly after the start of the Gibbston River Trail, follow the signs to Chard Farm Road and take a short detour of 2.3 km (one way) on gravel road to the other side of the river to Chard Farm Winery, where tastings are available. The views of the river from here are spectacular and this winery makes some of the best wines in the region. (2.3 km Grade 2 / Easy)
If you feel like a challenge, the sign-posted Peregrine Loop Trail is a great section of trail - the views of the river from here are fantastic and you might even see some whitewater rafters tackling the 'dog leg'. This section has steep sections and tight corners, which make for rewarding walking. (2.1 km Grade 4 / Advanced)
At Gibbston Back Road – currently the end of the trail, visit Mt Rosa Winery or Brennan Wines and if you fancy a bit more of a walk and an escape from the highway, continue up the road and until it meets Coal Pit Road, where you can enjoy great views back over Gibbston and a gentle downhill on a quiet sealed road, which will take you straight back to the Gibbston Tavern and Community Reserve on Coal Pit Road. (5.2 km Grade 2 / Easy)
After your night in Gibbston, find your way back onto the Gibbston River Trail and retrace your steps until you join back onto the Arrow River Bridges Trail at the Kawarau Suspension Bridge (8.7 km Easy / Grade 2)
Presuming you'll be starting your 4 day journey in Queenstown, you'll find plenty of parking either at your accommodation or within Queenstown Centre. Click her for more info on getting to Queenstown.
The official start of the Queenstown Trail is at the bridge by the entrance of the Queenstown Gardens along Marine Parade.
Here are a few important pointers to foster positive attitudes between different trail users and remember we are lucky that many local landowners have given us access to their private property.
This site is loaded with maps, information and advice, Here’s how to get the most out of it:
For more information on how to stay safe on your trip go here
Many of our Official Partners offer guided tours and shuttles to and from the start and end points of the trails - allowing you to ultimately tailor your trail experience and pick up tons of local knowledge and discover secret spots along the way!
Click here to see our Trail Directory.
Go to the Frequently Asked Questions page to find answers to any questions you may have before you head out onto the trail.
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