Mountain Bike Trails in Wakatipu Basin

Arrow River Bridges Trail

Part of the Queenstown Trail Great Ride - Grade 2 cycle trail leading from Arrowtown out to the Gibbston Valley. Generally flat terrain beside the beautiful Arrow River makes this trail popular with families and walkers - take care especially on the 'Millenium Trail' section near Arrowtown. Cross numerous bridges and the spectacular Edgar suspension bridge on your way out to the historic Kawarau Bungy Bridge, home to the original AJ Hackett Bungy center.

Arthurs Point Link Trail

Short section of paved link trail between Wharehuanui Trail and Shotover Gorge Trail, which continues along Atley Road and onto the 'Sutherland Track' beside Gorge Road, leading to downtown Queenstown. After leaving Arthurs Point, the trail shares the single-lane Edith Cavell bridge and a short section of road with narrow shoulders, before becoming a separated bike path.

Countryside Trail

Part of the Queenstown Trail Great Ride - leaves the Old Lower Shotover Bridge and continues upstream before a short steep climb to Domain Road. Trail then follows through rolling countryside and quiet country lanes past Lake Hayes (Take junction at Rutherford Road). Another steep climb up Sharp Rise (Christine's Hill) leads into Millbrook Resort, a great place for coffee at the Hole-in-One café. Take the new Wharehuanui Trail to Arthurs Point, or continue to Arrowtown past the restored Chinese Village from the Goldrush era to meet the Arrow River Bridges Trail at Butlers Green.

Domain Road Link

Access into the Lower Shotover Trail from Domain Road, follows the fence line and drops steeply through pines to the beach beneath the sand cliff slip. Please stick to the marked trail, rare bird nesting sites on the river gravels. Lower Shotover Trail becomes impassable in flood events, be prepared for wet feet after storm cycles.

Frankton Track

Start of the Queenstown Trail Great Ride, linking the Queenstown Gardens to Frankton Beach and the Kawarau Falls Bridge. Forms part of the Queenstown Marathon course, and popular with commuters, bikes, runners, walkers -Options to connect with Water taxis at Frankton Marina, and don't miss the scones at the Boatshed café.

Jack's Point Trail

Starting from Jardine Park, the Jacks Point Trail weaves along the shore of Lake Whakatipu with amazing views to the South and West. The trail is narrow in places with several short pinch climbs. A recent upgrade by Queenstown Trails and QLDC has improved the surface and water management, with new switchbacks at the Jacks Point end to eliminate the steep section. Drop down Lodge Road to the Jacks Point Clubhouse beside Lake Tewa for a well-earned coffee.

Jardines Bush Loop

Easy loop through the native bush at Jardine Park, berms and easy gradient giving some good progression from the pine loop benefits from some pumping.

Jardines Pine Loop

Short, kid friendly trail in Jardine Park winding through the pine trees.

Kelvin Heights Trail

Starting at the Kawarau Falls Bridge, shared use gravel trail following the shores of the Kelvin Peninsula to Kelvin Grove. Stunning views and a number of sculptures around the golf course. Trail splits into a technical biking or walking trail along the lake edge, or take Peninsula Road to get to Jardine Park and onwards to the Jacks Point Trail.

Lake Hayes Track

Lake Hayes Track circuits the Lake, popular with walkers, dogs and locals its a good 8km ride early in the morning before too much traffic. Its can be joined / accessed from several locations around the lake. Rutherford Rd provides a good link to QT Trails and Millbrook.

Lower Shotover Trail

XC Singletrack linking the the new Shotover Gorge Trail to the Old Lower Shotover bridge on the true left of the Shotover from Fitzpatrick Road. Technical singletrack through the willow trees and over river gravels - Following a large slip in 2022, prone to flooding in high water. Can be ridden in either direction and works well as a loop with the new Kimi-akau bridge and Tucker Beach Trail back to Frankton This is a grade 3 MTB trail but has short sections of HIGH EXPOSURE which is well signposted. Recommended for more advanced riders who are comfortable with narrow technical terrain.

Queenstown Park Station

Easy trail ride to Queenstown Park Station. NOTE: This trail is across private land and is only open on one day of the year. Refer to http://www.remarkablespark.com/community/events/queenstown-park-station-recreational-bike-ride/.

Shotover Gorge Trail

The Shotover Gorge Trail is a spectacular journey along the Lower Shotover Gorge, passing through the historic Hugo Tunnel and crossing the Kimi-ākau bridge which spans the gorge at Tucker Beach. Starting outside Gantleys Tavern, take the Arthurs Point Link Trail towards Queenstown until the trailhead for the Shotover Gorge Trail appears on the left. A gentle descent through Sycamore forest meanders above the Shotover/Kimi-ākau river above Big Beach towards the lower gorge. The Trail enters the 108m long Hugo Tunnel, a spectacular passage into the lower gorge and insight into the regions goldmining history. Solar lighting is 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. Once at the far end, the trail turns back upstream to climb up to the lip of the gorge on ‘Lyttles Ladder’ – This section is narrow and steep, with a couple of grade 4 corners – less experienced cyclists should enjoy this short section as a walk and push their bikes up the switchbacks. Incredible views of the gorge below open up as you climb, and are best enjoyed from ‘Bucks Balcony’ as the trail weaves towards Tucker Beach. At the top of the tunnel climb, an intersection allows a connection with the tunnel bypass route and Wharehuanui Trail via Littles Road (large flood events will close the tunnel trail.) The switchbacks down to Littles Road are quite steep and tight, caution advised. Continuing downstream on the Shotover Gorge Trail, the lip of the canyon opens out to a wider landscape, and drops into ‘Little Stream’, crossing Mc Quilkin’s Bridge. Approaching Tucker Beach, a junction allows for an exit to Fitpatrick Road up a steep farm track, or a more technical grade 4 adventure on the non-surfaced Lower Shotover Trail along the true-left of the river. The main trail zig zags down towards the spectacular 90m Kimi-ākau suspension bridge and joins the Tucker Beach Trail at the DOC carpark.

Shotover Gorge Trail - Fitzpatrick Road

The Fitzpatrick Road junction provides access to the Shotover Gorge Trail and Lower Shotover Trail from Littles Road, and a direct connection to the Kimi-akau bridge from Dalefield. The Trail heads up steeply on an access track, before levelling out through the reserve. Watch out for horses on this section of trail, as this track is used to access the conservation area.

Tucker Beach Trail

Established by the Rotary Club of Queenstown in conjunction with Queenstown Trails in 2018, the Tucker Beach Trail now forms part of the link to Arthurs Point where it meets the Shotover Gorge Trail at the Kimi-akau bridge. From the Old Lower Shotover Bridge, head upstream through the Tucker Beach Wildlife Management Reserve, which has seen a significant restoration thanks to the work of the Tucker Beach Wildlife Trust. This section enjoys magnificent views over the Shotover/Kimi-akau River and across to Coronet Peak. \Ride carefully on a short section of shared road leading to the Tucker Beach Recreation Reserve, and join the Shotover Gorge Trail to cross the Kimi-akau bridge towards Arthurs Point.

Twin Rivers Trail

Starting at the Kawarau Falls Bridge, the Twin Rivers Trail heads downstream through the K Falls Reserve on a new section of trail towards the Shotover Delta. The trail then heads upstream towards the Old Lower Shotover Bridge behind the gravel quarries. Once at the bridge, you have the options of taking the Countryside Trail to Arrowtown, or continuing on the Twin Rivers Trail towards Gibbston. The Tucker Beach Trail continues further up the Shotover and will meet with a new section of trail up the Shotover Gorge which is being developed in 2023 by Queenstown Trails.

Twin Rivers Trail - Shotover to Arrow River

Second part of the Twin Rivers/Queenstown Trail following the Shotover and Kawarau Rivers, starting from the Old Lower Shotover Bridge and leading towards Gibbston at Morven Ferry. Some short steep climbs, but generally easy riding in a stunning setting. Fill up bottles at the historic Old Lower Shotover Bridge or take a diversion into Lake Hayes Estate to 11th Avenue café at Kawarau Park - next refreshments are at Kawarau Bungy Bridge on the Arrow River Bridges Trail.

Wharehuanui - Hugo Tunnel Bypass

The Hugo Tunnel Bypass route allows a connection from the Wharehuanui Trail to the Shotover Gorge Trail without going through the Hugo Tunnel (during flood events, or for those with a dislike for confined spaces). Descending through a recently planted Beech Forest, the trail zig zags down from Malaghans Road to restored wetlands, and past the Redemption Carpark at Littles Road. Crossing into a private driveway, the trail climbs steeply up tight switchbacks to reach the rest area at the junction with the Shotover Gorge Trail.

Wharehuanui Trail

The Wharehuanui Trail is a beautiful easy (grade 2) trail between Arthurs Point and Millbrook. Running along the northern side of the Whakatipu Basin, the Wharehuanui Trail links the mountain biking tracks of Coronet Peak, and adds the vital missing link into the Queenstown Trails network. Starting at the Arthurs Point, the trail traverses the undulating terrain before crossing Malaghans Road and heading towards the foothills of Coronet Peak. A gentle climb brings you to the bottom of the "Carry On" Mountain Biking Trail. The trail winds in and out of the foothills along the base of Coronet, before reaching the Kuperus Crossing and the Dan O'Connell hub. Hot Rod mountain biking trail and the Dan O'Connell Climb join into the Dan O'Connell Hub. From here you can access the Coronet Peak Ride mountain bike trails, the Coronet Loop and Skippers Road. Head along Coronet Peak Station Road (share the road with care), and rejoin the off-road trail at the southern end. The Wharehuanui Trail then follows Malaghans Road to the east, before crossing the carriageway and heading down to the Mill Creek Reserve. The Wharehuanui Trail continues into Millbrook, before joining the Countryside Trail at Streamside Lane. From here you can continue through Millbrook Resort to the east to reach Arrowtown, or head south towards Lake Hayes.