Special Interest Tours - Bike Tours
4-Day Golden Gorges Cycling Adventure Tour
price from
NZ$ 1779
per person (twin share)
New Zealand - South Island
Self-guided Tour
4 days
Queenstown
Cromwell, Queenstown or Wanaka
Inquiry & Booking
Golden Gorges | 4-Day Central Otago Cycle Tour | Queenstown Trails, Kawarau Gorge, Lake Dunstan & Roxburgh Gorge | Wine Country, Gold Mining History & Jet Boat Transfer | Bikes, Luggage Transfers and Local Cuisine Included
Four Great Rides, one trip. That’s the pitch, and it delivers.
This Central Otago cycle tour links the Queenstown Trails, Kawarau Gorge Trail, Lake Dunstan Trail and Roxburgh Gorge Trail. Four Great Rides, one connected journey. Alpine peaks one day, wine country the next, then gold mining history and a jet boat ride to finish. We’d recommend the premium eBikes for this one, some of the terrain earns it. For a shorter taste of the wine region alone, our 5‑Day Abel Tasman National Park Cycle Tour covers a different combination of trails further north. It’s a South Island cycle tour across three Great Rides.
From Alpine Peaks to Wine Country
Queenstown kicks things off, and there’s real choice in how you start. The new Shotover Gorge Trail runs from Arthurs Point, cutting through the Hugo Tunnel before joining the Tucker Beach Trail. Striking alpine scenery lines the way. Based near the airport instead? The Countryside Trail into Arrowtown works just as well. This historic village sits beside the Arrow River, full of shops and cafés worth lingering in. Ayrburn, with its restored buildings and landscaped gardens, is worth the stop too.
From Arrowtown, the Arrow River Bridges Trail carries you toward Gibbston. It joins up near the Kawarau Bungy Bridge as you roll into wine country. Cellar doors everywhere, elevated views over the Kawarau River, this stretch does double duty as scenery and tasting tour.
Gorges, Gold and a Jet Boat to Finish
Day two follows the Kawarau Gorge Trail, one of the newest Great Rides on the network. It traces the Kawarau River between two of the country’s best-known wine regions, Gibbston and Bannockburn. Gold-mining traces scatter the route. The Goldfields Mining Centre is worth a look if history’s your thing. Roll into Bannockburn along Felton Road, home to some of New Zealand’s most prestigious wineries. Carrick Cellar Door & Garden makes the perfect lunch stop overlooking Bannockburn Inlet.
The Lake Dunstan Trail picks up from there, tracking the lake’s edge into Clyde, a proper slow-down-and-browse kind of village. From Clyde, the Roxburgh Gorge Trail takes over. It follows the Clutha Mata-Au River through some of Central Otago’s most remote and dramatic country. At Doctors Point, a jet boat transfer to Shingle Creek breaks up the ride. Easily one of the highlights of the whole trip. From there it’s on to Roxburgh Hydro Village, then a comfortable transfer back to Cromwell, Queenstown or Wanaka.
If you’d prefer a different combination of Central Otago trails, take a look at our other cycle tours below.
- 5‑Day Abel Tasman National Park Cycle Tour
- 10‑Day Top of the South Cycling Trails – New Zealand’s Best Routes
- 4‑Day Abel Tasman Coastal Experience – New Zealand Luxury Escape
- 5‑Day South Island New Zealand Wilderness Cycle Tour
- 4‑Day Golden Gorges Cycling Adventure Tour
- 5‑Day Central Otago Latest & Greatest Cycle Holiday
Tour Photo Gallery
Tour Information, Departure Dates & Price
Transportation
- Rental bikes
Tour Departures
- Please review the cruise departure options below
Airport Transfers
- Included
Pricing
-
from NZD1,779
Meals
- Check the meal details in the itinerary
Accommodation
- Boutique Hotels / Boutique B&B's
Cities/Regions Visited
-
Queenstown – Arrowtown – Gibbston – Bannockburn – Clyde – Alexandra – Roxburgh Hydro Village – Cromwell
Group Size
- no minimum number
Tour Code
- KJ21082026
Pre & Post Accommodation
- Available
4-Day Golden Gorges Cycling Adventure Tour Days
However you arrive, by plane, car, or hotel pickup, the NZ Tourism Tours team sorts the rest. A briefing and bike fitting gets you ready to ride. Car parking will be available at our new Queenstown depot in the Gibbston Valley, coming soon.
Depending on where you’re starting and how much time you’ve got, the Queenstown Trails network gives you a few good options. The new Shotover Gorge Trail from Arthurs Point is a standout, passing through the impressive Hugo Tunnel before linking to the Tucker Beach Trail. Striking alpine scenery lines the Shotover River the whole way.
Based in Frankton, near the airport? Take the Countryside Trail into Arrowtown instead. This charming historic village sits beside the Arrow River, known for its shops and cafés. Ayrburn is a worthwhile stop, beautifully restored buildings and landscaped gardens make an ideal spot for food and drink.
From Arrowtown, continue along the Arrow River Bridges Trail toward Gibbston. Join the route near the Kawarau Bungy Bridge as you enter renowned wine country. Numerous cellar doors and elevated views above the Kawarau River make this stretch one to savour.
After breakfast, set out on the Kawarau Gorge Trail, one of the newest additions to the Great Rides network. It traces the Kawarau River through a striking gorge, linking the Queenstown trails with Central Otago’s renowned cycleways.
Wine lovers get a rare treat here, riding between two celebrated wine regions from Gibbston toward Bannockburn. Dramatic landscapes and traces of the area’s gold mining past line the route. Consider a stop at the Goldfields Mining Centre to dig into that history.
As you reach Bannockburn, follow Felton Road, home to some of New Zealand’s most prestigious wineries. A visit to Carrick Cellar Door & Garden rounds out the day nicely. Wine tastings and a relaxed lunch overlook Bannockburn Inlet.
The Lake Dunstan Trail leads you away from Bannockburn Inlet and along the lake’s edge toward Clyde. Wide-open water views and historic features line the way. Take time to explore Clyde’s relaxed village atmosphere too, with its local galleries, shops and cafés.
From Clyde, begin the final Great Ride of your journey. Head south along the river trail beside the mighty Clutha Mata-au River toward Alexandra. Pause in Alexandra for a relaxed café stop before rejoining the Roxburgh Gorge Trail.
The landscape shifts dramatically here, from urban surrounds to remote, rugged terrain. Striking views and echoes of gold mining history line the way. At Doctors Point, an informative jet boat transfer to Shingle Creek adds a memorable highlight to the experience.
Continue toward Roxburgh Dam in Roxburgh Hydro Village. Then meet your NZ Tourism Tours transfer for a comfortable return to Cromwell, connecting onward to Queenstown or Wanaka.
Note: Start dates are flexible year round, subject to accommodation availability. NZ Tourism Tours will work with you to tailor the itinerary to your preferred dates.
Inclusions & Highlights
- Ride four of New Zealand’s Great Rides on one connected journey
- Cross the Shotover Gorge Trail’s Hugo Tunnel and explore historic Arrowtown
- Taste your way through Gibbston and Bannockburn’s celebrated wine regions
- Discover gold mining history at the Goldfields Mining Centre
- Follow the Clutha Mata-au River through remote Roxburgh Gorge
- Enjoy a scenic jet boat transfer from Doctors Point to Shingle Creek
Includes: Cycle equipment including trail comfort bike, helmet, repair kit, pannier bags, front handlebar bag and odometer, NZ Tourism Tours travel wallet and trail map, 3 nights vineyard or boutique twin-share ensuite accommodation, 3 breakfasts, scenic jet boat ride from Doctors Point to Shingle Creek, shuttle from Roxburgh Hydro Village to Cromwell, return shuttle Cromwell to Gibbston or Queenstown, luggage relocation, pre and post Queenstown hotel or airport transfers if required, and full NZ Tourism Tours trail support.
Excludes: All personal items, meals not listed, travel insurance, eBike upgrades, bike accidental damage insurance (available at $10 per day per person), and pre- or post-tour accommodation.
Optional Add-Ons: Hardtail eBike upgrade (350pp), premium full suspension eBike, standard frame (395pp), premium full suspension eBike, step-thru frame (395pp), bike accidental damage insurance (10 per day per person).
Tour Departure Dates
Available year round, 12 months of the year, subject to availability. Contact our reservations team to build an itinerary around your preferred dates.
Accommodation
Your nights on this tour are at a vineyard or boutique twin-share, with an ensuite throughout. Day one puts you close to the action in Bannockburn. From there, a night in Clyde lets you soak up its relaxed village atmosphere.
Accommodation is generally 4-star, and in some cases 5-star boutique. All rooms are en-suite, with twin, double or single occupancy configuration available. Three breakfasts are included. Let NZ Tourism Tours know what you’d like included, and the team will tailor your itinerary to suit.
Included activities
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