Twenty-two kilometres of river terraces and vineyard views, gold-rush towns to alpine resort.
Hand-picked by our editors — only the best 3 bike hire partners from 12 reviewed.
Verified partners for Arrowtown to Queenstown Bike Trail tours, free cancellation where available, and instant confirmation on every booking.
5 hr
Pedal 35km through alpine valleys, historic gold rush towns, and lakeside paths on this scenic one-way ride.
Reserve
4 hr
Pedal from historic Arrowtown to Gibbston Valley wineries along riverside trails and suspension bridges
Reserve
7 hr 30 min
Cycle riverside trails to world-class Central Otago wineries, crossing suspension bridges and stopping where you please.
ReservePrices from verified partners. Availability updates in real time at checkout. Free cancellation policies apply where shown.
The landmarks, rooms, and views travelers on Arrowtown to Queenstown Bike Trail tours remember — all visible on a single visit.
Cross a series of spectacular suspension bridges over the turquoise Arrow River.
View the original stone huts used by gold miners in the 1870s.
Visit the historic bridge that serves as the world home of bungy jumping.
Experience a beautifully restored riparian zone perfect for a short picnic.
Navigate this unique feature on the Shotover Gorge section of the trail.
Every Arrowtown to Queenstown Bike Trail tour side-by-side — duration, what's included, how you redeem.
| Experience | Duration | Rating | Skip-the-line | Guide | Small group | Free cancel. | Price | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Standard Entry Most popular
Arrowtown to Queenstown Self-Guided Mountain Bike Trail
|
5 hr | ★ 4.8 | — | — | — | ✓ | €52 | Book → |
|
Standard Entry
Arrow Bridges Trail Self-Guided Bike Adventure
|
4 hr | ★ 4.8 | — | — | — | ✓ | €52 | Book → |
|
Guided Experience
Self-Guided Gibbston Valley Wine Trail Bike Adventure
|
7 hr 30 min | ★ 4.7 | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | €52 | Book → |
All prices from verified partners. Availability and exact terms confirmed at checkout.
They complement each other; most visitors who do both call the Arrowtown to Queenstown bike trail the more exhilarating, whereas the Gibbston River Trail is preferred for its leisurely pace.
| Feature | Top pick Arrowtown–Queenstown Trail | Gibbston River Trail |
|---|---|---|
Difficulty |
Moderate (Grade 2–3) | Easy (Grade 2) |
Primary Scenery |
Alpine views and rivers | Vineyards and river gorges |
Length |
34 km | |
Elevation Gain |
303 m | |
Main Attraction |
Historic bridges and landscapes | Vineyard tours and wine tasting |
Typical Rider Profile |
Active riders and adventurers | Families and leisure cyclists |
| See tickets → |
Verdict: Choose the Arrowtown to Queenstown route for a challenging, full-day backcountry adventure, or opt for the Gibbston River Trail to enjoy a relaxed, food-focused cycling tour.
Choose your ticket, select your date, and reserve in under two minutes. Secure checkout handled by our verified partner.
Instant confirmation by email, with a mobile voucher you can save offline. No printing, no queuing at a collection desk.
Arrive at the entrance, show your voucher on your phone, and walk in. Most tickets include priority or skip-the-line access.
Practical details for Arrowtown to Queenstown Bike Trail tickets straight from our verified partners — hours, access, rules, and how to get there.
Marine Parade, Queenstown
Official start of the Queenstown Trail network
Open in Google MapsCycle from central Queenstown to the trailhead at Queenstown Gardens.
Book a one-way shuttle from Queenstown to Arrowtown for an easy ride back.
Dress in layers as alpine weather shifts quickly. Wear sturdy, comfortable closed-toe footwear and high-visibility gear for safety on shared tracks.
Carry a backpack for supplies, including extra layers, water, and tools. Do not leave valuables in unattended vehicles at trailhead parking areas.
Photography is encouraged throughout the arrowtown to queenstown bike trail, especially at bridges and viewpoints. Respect private property signs when near farmland or vineyard borders.
Most of the trail network is wide, well-maintained, and designed for shared use. E-bike assistance is recommended for those wanting to manage the elevation gain on the arrowtown to queenstown bike trail.
Carry a fully charged cellphone for navigation and emergencies. Cell service can be intermittent in deeper river gorges.
The trail is family-friendly with gentle, grade 2–3 paths. Ensure children are comfortable with off-road riding and carry sufficient snacks for the journey.
Numerous cafes and restaurants operate in Arrowtown and along the trail route. Carry your own water and energy-dense snacks for mid-ride refueling.
Dogs are permitted on the arrowtown to queenstown bike trail but must remain under control at all times. Use leads in areas with livestock or high traffic.
Always yield to walkers on the shared path. Check bike brakes and tire pressure before departing.
Marine Parade, Queenstown
Official start of the Queenstown Trail network
Get directionsBest time to go, insider tips, nearby landmarks, and the cancellation fine print — flip through to skim what matters to you.
How crowds, weather, and events shift across the year.
September to November offers blooming landscapes and mild temperatures perfect for an arrowtown to queenstown bike trail tour.
December to February provides long, sunny days ideal for full-day rides.
March to May is famous for vibrant gold and red foliage along the trails.
June to August is crisp and clear, though riders should prepare for alpine temperatures.
Small details that turn a good visit into a great one.
Start in Arrowtown to benefit from a downhill-trending route toward Queenstown. This makes the arrowtown to queenstown bike trail easier for casual riders.
Non-bookable sights within a short walk — free to visit, easy to pair.
Discover local social and cultural history in historic Arrowtown.
The world-famous site of commercial bungy jumping.
Scenic lakeside gardens marking the trail start.
Flexible, no hidden fees.
Self-guided arrowtown to queenstown bike trail tours often require 24–48 hour notice for full refunds on shuttle or equipment bookings. Entry to the public trail network itself is 0 NZD.
Hand-picked options within walking distance — pick a district for vibe, or a specific hotel for convenience.
Premium golf resort near the trail start.
Centrally located apartment-style accommodation.
Family-oriented park with cabin and camping options.
The Arrowtown to Queenstown bike trail follows the exact route of the 1860s pack-horse track that ferried wool, gold, and provisions between the Arrow River diggings and the nascent port at Queenstown Bay.
When the Queenstown Trail Trust opened the 110-kilometre network in 2012, engineers chose to surface this 22-kilometre segment with compacted gravel rather than asphalt, preserving the alignment of schist terrace and willow grove that had guided miners and merinos for a century before.
Today the trail threads through three distinct hydrological zones. The first eight kilometres descend from Arrowtown's poplars through the Arrow River gorge, crossing the confluence at Morven Ferry Bridge where the Arrow's glacial silt meets the Kawarau's tannin-stained torrent. The middle stretch traverses Gibbston Valley's vineyard flats, passing seven cellar doors in as many kilometres — the world's southernmost pinot noir appellation, planted on schist scree that stores summer heat and releases it through April's first frosts. The final six kilometres hug Lake Hayes and the Shotover delta, climbing gradually onto the Queenstown Gardens peninsula where the trail terminates at Marine Parade.
The Arrowtown to Queenstown bike trail tour option suits riders who want vehicle support rather than self-navigation; most operators shuttle bikes and luggage between trailheads, allowing a one-way descent with the gradient. The route loses 140 vertical metres from Arrowtown's 370-metre elevation to Queenstown's lakefront at 310 metres, but the grade is distributed across switchbacks and terraces gentle enough for hybrid bicycles and trailer-towed children. Three suspension bridges cross side-streams too steep for culverts, and the Kawarau Bungy Bridge offers a mid-ride vantage over the gorge's first commercial jump site, operational since 1988.
Gibbston Valley's pinot noir vines were planted in 1981 by Alan Brady, who gambled that schist's thermal mass would ripen grapes this far south. By 2026 the valley supports eighteen wineries, most offering tasting rooms within fifty metres of the trail corridor. Cyclists can reserve seated tastings at Chard Farm or Gibbston Valley Winery, both visible from the trail and both equipped with bike racks and water taps.
"The route loses 140 vertical metres from Arrowtown's 370-metre elevation to Queenstown's lakefront at 310 metres, distributed across switchbacks and terraces gentle enough for hybrid bicycles."
A step-by-step walkthrough of Arrowtown to Queenstown Bike Trail tickets — what you'll see, how long each stage takes, and the details that matter.
You leave Arrowtown's museum precinct and cross Ramshaw Lane, where the trail enters a poplar corridor shading the Arrow's western bank. Within two kilometres the poplars thin and you descend through open tussock to Morven Ferry Bridge, a single-lane suspension span swaying gently under bicycle weight.
You pause mid-bridge to watch the Arrow's glacial blue collide with the Kawarau's tea-coloured flow, the two currents running parallel for thirty metres before mixing.
The trail flattens as you enter Gibbston Valley, and rows of pinot noir vines replace tussock on both sides. You pass Chard Farm at kilometre eleven, its tasting room cantilevered over the river, then roll through another three cellar doors before reaching Gibbston Valley Winery at kilometre fourteen. You stop for a tasting flight and refill your water bottle at the outdoor tap.
Beyond the vineyards the trail skirts Lake Hayes, and you ride a narrow corridor between willow-fringed shore and State Highway 6. The final climb brings you onto the Queenstown Gardens peninsula, where the trail surface changes from gravel to paved path and you emerge at Marine Parade facing Queenstown Bay's jetties and the Remarkables' eastern scarp.
Yes, entrance to the public Queenstown Trail network is 0 NZD.
The trail is accessible 24/7, though we recommend biking during the 08:00–16:00 arrival window for safety.
The trail is generally easy (Grade 2–3), though some sections have hills that may require walking or e-bike assistance.
No tickets are required for the trail itself as it is a public network.
The official start is at the entrance to Queenstown Gardens, located at Marine Parade, Queenstown.
Yes, dogs are welcome on the Queenstown Trail but must be kept under control.
Yes, the path is wide and suitable for families, though e-bikes help maintain consistent speeds.
We recommend starting between 08:00–16:00 to ensure you have maximum daylight visibility.
Yes, many rental companies in Queenstown and Arrowtown offer e-bikes for the arrowtown to queenstown bike trail.
