Biking the Arrow River © Julian Apse ARROWTOWN © AA Traveller 2018 Coronet Peak Arrow River Ski Field Countryside Arrow River Bridges Trail Trail Shotover River Swain Bridge Southern Discoveries Bridge Lake Knight’s Family Bridge OLD LOWER Hayes Edgar Bridge Lake Hayes 6 Arthurs Point SHOTOVER BRIDGE Trail Frankton Track 6 & Kelvin Peninsula Trail KAWARAU BRIDGE 6a Twin River Trail Frankton Chard Farm THE Gibbston River Trail Kawarau River QUEENSTOWN 6 The Remarkables Frankton Arm Queenstown Airport MAP LEGEND KELVIN HEIGHTS open section i-SITE Visitor toilets QUEENSTOWN 6 Centre THE QUEENSTOWN TRAIL connector trails accommodation THE QUEENSTOWN TRAIL town Jack’s Point start / finish point camping JACK’S POINT café/restaurant Trail point of interest 1 state highway Trail Lake Wakatipu car park QUEENSTOWN to riding the trail QUEENSTOWN Queenstown Old Lower Arrowtown Kawarau Bridge Old Lower Queenstown Kawarau Bridge Gibbston Shotover Bridge Shotover TRAIL INFO 13km 12.5km 13.5km 15.5km Bridge 15.5km 6.5km 600m 400m the stunning landscapes of Lake 200m 0m 2-3 days 120km Hayes, Frankton and Queenstown. There are plenty of reasons to stop “Cyclists will be attracted to The Queenstown Trail because The Queenstown Trail offers something for everyone, whether you’ve got a along the way: to discover hidden 2-3 Days of the iconic mountain scenery and the existing tourism couple of hours or a few days. There are plenty of great riding options and Combine awe-inspiring alpine scenery, ruins, amazing architecture and 120km you can do as much as you want. This is an Easy to Intermediate (Grades historic bridges; for a cheeky wine attractions such as the wineries and the Kawarau Bungy venture.” 2-3) cycle trail that connects the three hubs of Queenstown, Arrowtown and world-class food and wine and a plethora tasting at a world-class vineyard, to Gibbston. The trail is well signposted and because you’re never more than John Dunn, Former Programme Manager, Nga Haerenga, savour first-rate food and coffee, 20 minutes or so from a main road, it’s very difficult to lose your way. The of activities into the ultimate experience. The New Zealand Cycle Trail trail can be ridden in sections to suit your ability or link it all together for a or to take the plunge with a thrilling TRAIL GRADES: longer ride. Here are some suggested itineraries for shorter rides: n a region rightly known as that makes the area so beautiful: bungy jump at the Kawarau Bridge LAKE HAYES TRAIL GRADE 3 Lake Hayes Trail, Queenstown Trail LAKE HAYES TRAIL, 8KM one of the most beautiful in emerald lakes, golden hills, snow- Bungy. © Miles Holden (INTERMEDIATE) Circumnavigates This is one of the most scenic rides in the Wakatipu Basin, popular with the country, the Queenstown touched mountains, perfect rows Make your own way along the trail, I Lake Hayes for 8km. walkers and cyclists. It circumnavigates Lake Hayes for 8km following a Trail takes you deep into unspoilt of vines, blossoming orchards and or contact one of the local tour - wide gravel trail. Starting at the top from Rutherford Rd, an anti-clockwise private land, past spectacular sights stunning landscape colours that GIBBSTON RIVER TRAIL operators to help plan and organise GRADE 2 (EASY) Ride 8.7km one- direction is easier. previously unseen by the public. transform with the seasons. you and your bikes, including cycle way along this easy grade trail GIBBSTON RIVER TRAIL, 8.7KM As well as leading you straight The 120km trail meanders through hire, transport and pick-ups and running alongside the Kawarau The Gibbston River Trail follows a relatively easy gradient alongside the to the region’s famed pinot noir the Wakatipu Basin, taking in the drop-offs anywhere along the River. Kawarau River providing access to wineries and historic archaeological sites. and top-notch cuisine, the trail Gibbston wine area, the historic trail. For an easier ride, e-bikes are QUEENSTOWN TO This is a there-and-back ride starting at the Kawarau Bridge Bungy and serves up a sample of everything gold-mining town of Arrowtown and available along the trail. ARROWTOWN GRADE 3 ending at the Gibbston Back Rd – the return trip is 17km. (INTERMEDIATE) A 24.5km ride QUEENSTOWN TO ARROWTOWN, 24.5KM that takes in the Shotover River and Millbrook Resort. The start/end of this 24.5km section of trail is the Memorial Gates on Queenstown’s waterfront and Dudley’s Cottage in Arrowtown. MOBILE PHONE COVERAGE: look out for... Lake Hayes This trail takes in the Shotover River, crossing the restored historic bridge Most parts of this trail have Nicknamed the ‘Mirror and Millbrook Resort. Riding from Queenstown, if you want to avoid some coverage for the major mobile hill climbing, turn left when you get to Lower Shotover Rd and then right on your appetite. Queenstown itself has Lake’, the glassy waters Fabulous food & wine networks. to Speargrass Flat Rd. Look for the Millbrook trail sign just past Slopehill Rd more than 150 restaurants and of Lake Hayes reflect its Queenstown is a region of DRINKING WATER: Don’t forget turn-off. For a more challenging uphill ride, turn right when you get to Lower cafés ranging from gourmet fare stunning snow-capped Shotover Rd then on to Slopehill Rd. Note the Millbrook trail is smooth gravel abundance, and quality cuisine is your water bottle. Most local to locally crafted beer, wine and mountain surrounds in but is steep in parts, so be prepared to push your bike in places. The easier a part of everyday life here. The businesses will be happy for you chocolate, while the Gibbston Valley astonishing clarity – it’ll (more downhill) option is to ride from Arrowtown to Queenstown. lakeside dining, elegant vineyards, has more than 75 wineries, including have you taking snap to refill your drink bottle along fine restaurants and gourmet cafés For more information on the Queenstown Trail visit producers of some of the world’s after snap. the way. Plus you can buy food along the trail will give you plenty of www.queenstowntrail.org.nz best Pinot Noir. and beverages along the trail. opportunities to stop and indulge 122 123 Featuring Queenstown and Arrowtown, this trail winds Snow on Bungy jumping is on every daredevil’s through some of New Zealand’s bucket list and what better place to take the plunge than the home of the world’s Along the trail most famous scenery. Show first commercial bungy. There are reputedly over 215 other adventure activities to choose from in Queenstown as well. IMAGE ABOVE: © Coronet Peak • ABOVE, RIGHT: Ledge Bungy © AJ Hackett ueenstown’s boundless is skiing or snowboarding at one of restored dwellings of the Chinese At Kawarau Bridge there is a viewing energy is infectious whatever Queenstown’s ski fields. miners, who arrived to pick over the platform where you can watch bungy Queenstown earns The rolling, open slopes of THE QUEENSTOWN TRAIL Coronet Peak offer a range of Adventure Capital THE QUEENSTOWN TRAIL Qthe season. This is the place Enchanting Arrowtown is a living tailings of the claims already worked jumpers take the leap above the its title as the South exciting terrain for skiers and to go full-throttle on the adventure museum. Springing to life in the out by their European predecessors, turbulent water, or you can give it a go Island’s major ski resort Consider an appetiser of Nevis point and get entirely off the and exploration trail, then relax and days of the gold-rush, the beauty have been preserved. yourself. Sandwiched between schist snowboarders. The night skiing town thanks to its Bungy, the highest jump in beaten track on a heli-skiing rejuvenate in spas and alpine hot of Arrowtown is that it was built to With four very distinct seasons, mountains and the rocky Kawarau here is one of the country’s most easy access to world- the southern hemisphere, adventure, or ramp up the pools afterwards. As well as a host of last and if you look carefully, you’ll Arrowtown puts on a magnificent River gorge, Gibbston Valley is an exhilarating winter experiences. a hearty main of tandem thrill factor by opting to go famed adventure activities, you can get some sense of what life was like display of colours in autumn, is a incredibly scenic premium wine- renowned ski fields. The Remarkables ski field is well skydiving, followed by a bird’s- upside down on a self-release, take a cruise on Lake Wakatipu on the for the miners back then. The ruins popular base for skiers in winter and growing area. Cardrona Alpine Resort has known for its relaxed vibe and eye view of Queenstown on a rough-as-guts 150km/hr ‘Lady of the Lake’ the TSS Earnslaw, of much of the mining workings are spring, and is a mellow spot to spend beginner-friendly slopes, as well as paraglide, originally used by canyon swing. If you’re over play a round of golf, ride high above still visible, as are quite a few of the the long hot days of summer. Enjoy a IMAGE ABOVE: Jet boating on the Dart River more than 320 skiable hectares of © Destination Queenstown versatile and challenging terrain. local climbers as a fast way 75 you will be pleased to know the town in a gondola, or wander earliest dwellings and the commercial walk, ride your bike or play golf, then dry, natural snow. It’s popular for around the buzzing town centre for a ABOVE LEFT: Riding the Queenstown Trail to descend the mountains. you can bungy for free at AJ premises.