Exploring the trails around Wanaka - Cycle the Kawarau, Dunstan & Roxburgh Gorges, New Zealand

Exploring the trails around Wanaka | Geoff Marks

Cycling the Lake Dunstan Trail - Cycle the Kawarau, Dunstan & Roxburgh Gorges, New Zealand

Cycling the Lake Dunstan Trail | Ross Mackay

Taking in the serenity riding through Central Otago - Cycle the Kawarau, Dunstan & Roxburgh Gorges, New Zealand

Taking in the serenity riding through Central Otago | Cam Stables

Lake Dunstan Trail, Central Otago - Cycle the Kawarau, Dunstan & Roxburgh Gorges, New Zealand

Lake Dunstan Trail, Central Otago | Ross Mackay

Cyclists riding along the Clutha Gold Trail - Cycle the Kawarau, Dunstan & Roxburgh Gorges, New Zealand

Cyclists riding along the Clutha Gold Trail | Geoff Marks

Our morning tea pitstops are full of delicious treats - Cycle the Kawarau, Dunstan & Roxburgh Gorges, New Zealand

Our morning tea pitstops are full of delicious treats | Geoff Marks

Cyclists riding along the Clutha Gold Trail | Geoff Marks

A stunning day cycling the Roxburgh Gorge - Cycle the Kawarau, Dunstan & Roxburgh Gorges, New Zealand

A stunning day cycling the Roxburgh Gorge | Geoff Marks

Cycle the Kawarau, Dunstan & Roxburgh Gorges

Cycle the Lake Dunstan Trail, the Roxburgh Gorge and Clutha Gold Trails and be one of the first on the new Kawarau Gorge Trail from late October 2026

New Zealand

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183 reviews

5 Days from

Trip Code: QCG

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Essential Information

Duration

5 Days

Activities

5 day cycle trail

Accommodation

4 nights hotel/motel

Meals

3 Dinners
4 Lunches
4 Breakfasts

Difficulty Grading: Moderate
The cycle trails on this trip are graded moderate. The trails are generally a good width with a compacted gravel trail surface but there can be exposure in places along the Gorges, as well as narrow sections with switchbacks and some rougher gravel so experience on this type of terrain is needed. There are a few hills and sharp inclines. You will need a reasonable level of fitness and we suggest 2-3 rides per week of 2-3 hours for the three months leading up to your trip. We recommend training on compacted gravel trails, and completing a multi-day ride prior to your trip to get used to being in the saddle for long periods of time. The more training you have done on hills with switchbacks and narrow trails and on compacted gravel, the more enjoyable your trip will be.
3 / 5
Moderate

Carbon Footprint

35kg of CO₂-e PP per day

(139kg of CO₂-e PP entire trip)

Trip highlights

Be among the first to ride on the spectacular Kawarau Gorge Trail
Explore the breathtaking Arrow River Bridges cycle trails
Experience the stunningly engineered Lake Dunstan Trail by bike
Enjoy the scenic Wanaka Outlet Track and Hawea River Trail
Tasting at a boutique winery
Ride the Clyde to Alexandra River Trail
Follow NZ’s mightiest river on the Clutha Gold & Roxburgh Gorge Trails
Experience a scenic jet boat transfer
Soak up the glittering history of towns such as Arrowtown, Clyde, and Lawrence
From late 2026, be among the first to ride on the spectacular Kawarau Gorge Trail

Overview

Explore the full Lake Dunstan, Clutha Gold and Roxburgh Gorge trails at the perfect pace on this fully supported trip. You'll be one of the first to bike the new Kawarau Gorge Trail.

After warming up on the stunning Arrow River Trail, we ride through the Kawarau Gorge on the new trail before heading over to Wanaka to enjoy our evening. In the morning we ride the Outlet and Lake Hawea River Trails to Lake Hawea. In the afternoon we get our first taste of the Lake Dunstan Trail, following the glistening lake's edge to Cromwell, with time to explore the Cromwell Heritage Precinct.

The following day we ride the remainder of the Lake Dunstan Trail, crossing the Bannockburn Bridge into the picturesque Cromwell Gorge and through to the charming town of Clyde. The Clyde-Alexandra River Track then leads us to our accommodation in Alexandra.

The next day we head across to Lawrence and ride the Clutha Gold Trail, starting near Gabriel's Gully, the historic site of the first gold strike in Central Otago. Enjoy riding the purpose-built cycle way past farmland and fruit orchards, following the beautiful turquoise waters of the mighty Clutha River. This leads us onto the Roxburgh Gorge Trail, which includes a scenic jet boat ride through the narrow, rugged gorge on the Clutha.

Charming country towns, warm hospitality, delicious food and wine, and ample opportunity to meet the locals: it's all part of the package.

Itinerary

Expand all | Collapse all

After an early morning briefing in Queenstown, we’ll head straight to the old gold mining town of Arrowtown and start our adventure on the picturesque Arrow River Bridges Trail. The trail crosses five bridges over the willow-lined Arrow River on its way to Gibbston Valley, where we connect to the Gibbston River Trail winding its way high above the Kawarau River through Central Otago’s premier wine-growing region. Fuelled by a scenic picnic lunch, we’re ready to tackle the newest Great Ride, the Kawarau Gorge Trail which has opened up previously inaccessible segments of the stunning Kawarau Gorge. Meandering around the Nevis Bluff, you’ll be riding on bluff bridges around the edge of the Kawarau River, past rapids with a spectacular view up the mouth of the Nevis River. Cross two impressive suspension bridges as you navigate the gorge and immerse yourself in the rich history of the area along the way with incredible stories of early gold mining days, ingenious power generation projects, tales of rabbit hunting, and the ancient routes traversed by early Maori. The trail ends in the small historic gold mining town of Bannockburn where we’ll load up and transfer past Lake Dunstan to the lakeside town of Wanaka, where we'll spend our first night and enjoy our first group dinner. Cycling distance: 53km/33 miles

Meals: D

After a hearty cafe breakfast we head out of Wanaka on the Outlet Trail following the crystal clear waters of the Clutha River/Mata-Au from the Lake Wanaka outlet to Albert Town. This stretch of the river is world-renowned for its trout fishing and the track offers easy riding with many spots to stop and enjoy the spectacular scenery along the way. Next up is the delightful Hawea River Track, easily accessed from the end of the Outlet track. This 10km bike trail following the Hawea River from Albert Town to Lake Hawea is an easy grade and beautifully scenic. After lunch we transfer the short distance to Smith's Way on the shore of Lake Dunstan. From here we ride the first section of the Lake Dunstan Trail along the lake through to the Cromwell Heritage Precinct. Here we’ll park up and explore the boutique galleries, stores, restaurants and cafes on offer before checking into our accommodation. Dinner at your leisure tonight. Cycling distance: 41km/26 miles Accommodation: Carrick Lodge Motel, Cromwell

Meals: B,L

Today we rejoin the Lake Dunstan Trail which loops back and around the Bannockburn Inlet and continues toward Cornish Point, passing by vineyards and olive groves. The trail enters the stunning Cromwell Gorge where you’ll cycle around sheer rockfaces and over lake inlets on impressively engineered platforms and bridges rising above Lake Dunstan. Lake Dunstan was created from the damming of the mighty Clutha Mata-au River, New Zealand’s second longest river, and the trail passes the historically controversial hydroelectric Clyde Dam before finishing at the Red Bridge at Clyde. Our final ride today is on the Clyde to Alexandra River Trail, a delightful, mainly flat 10km ride along the bank of the Clutha River to our accommodation in Alexandra. In the evening we return to historic Clyde to enjoy a wine tasting at a boutique winery and dinner. Cycling distance: 56km/34 miles Accommodation: Dunstan House, Clyde

Meals: B,L,D

Our Central Otago cycling adventure continues on the Clutha Gold Cycle Trail. The day begins with the drive to Beaumont, home of a wrought iron single lane bridge constructed in 1887 to cross the swirling, turquoise waters of the mighty Clutha and the only bridge of this kind in the country. Twenty scenic kilometres on through the scenic Beaumont Gorge, we’ll reach the small farming settlement of Millers Flat, named after the first European settler, Walter Miller, who arrived in Otago in 1849. From here we follow the trail through to Pinders Pond, the site of an old hydraulic elevation pond before meandering along the riverside, keeping an eye out for stunning hillside rock formations and large stands of regenerating native Ka-nuka (tea tree). Finishing deep into the orchard-lands of the Teviot Valley, the Clutha Gold Trail ends below the impressive Roxburgh Dam and it's then just a short, but steepish (!), climb to cross the Dam over to our lodge accommodation for the night. Cycling distance: 55km/34 miles Accommodation: Roxburgh Lodge

Meals: B,L,D

Just as the impressive Roxburgh hydro dam marks the end of the Clutha Gold Trail, it also marks the start of the Roxburgh Gorge Trail. With amazing northerly vistas across the Lake Roxburgh the trail drops into the Gorge and then heads away from the water passing through a small secluded valley with regenerating Ka-nuka (tea tree) scrubland and into sweeping hill country farmland. At Elbow Creek, it’s a gradual descent to Shingle Creek, the halfway mark where we take a scenic jet boat ride for the next 10km to Doctor’s Point. The second half of the trail is equally remote and awe-inspiring with stone-walled water races and other remnants of gold mining activity. We continue tracing the gorge to finally emerge in Alexandra marking the end of our riding adventure before the drive back to Queenstown. Cycling distance: 23km/14 miles

Meals: B,L

Ready to start your adventure?

34 scheduled departures between 19 Oct 2026 and 1 May 2028.

Departs 19 Oct 2026 – ends 23 Oct 2026 (5 days)
Departs 26 Oct 2026 – ends 30 Oct 2026 (5 days)
Departs 9 Nov 2026 – ends 13 Nov 2026 (5 days)
Departs 23 Nov 2026 – ends 27 Nov 2026 (5 days)
Departs 30 Nov 2026 – ends 4 Dec 2026 (5 days)
Departs 14 Dec 2026 – ends 18 Dec 2026 (5 days)
… and 28 more departures.

View dates to Book

What's included?

Included

Tasty cafe breakfasts (x4), gourmet picnic or cafe lunches (x4), two course restaurant dinners (x3) catered to all dietary requirements
4 nights comfortable motel/hotel accommodation on a twin share basis
Experienced guides who handle all the logistics so as you can relax and enjoy the trails (2 guides with groups of 8 or more)
Tasty and nutritious snacks, drinks and treats plus our famous morning and afternoon teas
Full vehicle support along the trail including trailer for luggage
Scenic jet boat ride on the Clutha River (Roxburgh Gorge)
Wine tasting at a boutique Central Otago vineyard
Return transport from Queenstown
Rider fees paid to the Trail Trusts for ongoing maintenance and improvements
Pre departure information kit to help you plan and prepare

Not included

International or domestic flights and taxes
Arrival and departure transfers
Meals not mentioned in the itinerary
All beverages, other than breakfast
Bike hire (including helmet)
Water bottle (help us save the environment and bring your own bike drink bottle)
Personal expenses (eg. phone calls, internet, laundry, shopping etc)
Travel insurance
Visa (if required)

About your guide

Our guides are one of our biggest assets and we pride ourselves on their level of quality and high standards. Once the trip reaches 8 people, we provide you with two of our expert guides to maximise your enjoyment and overall experience. You’ll know you’re in safe hands as all of our guides are certified in first aid and CPR and many of them are trained bike mechanics. They come from all walks of life but our guides have a common desire to give you the best possible experience, fun and lots of fond memories to take home with you.

Lake Dunstan & 3 Gorges Cycle Tour | Adventure South NZ

Kawarau, Dusntan & Roxburgh Gorge Webinar

Highlights on the Lake Dunstan & 3 Gorges Tour

What to expect riding the Lake Dunstan & 3 Gorges | Trails and Itinerary

Our Guides: The Heart and Soul of Your Adventure

Our Premium e-Bikes: Features and Benefits

Reviews (183)

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The cycle trip was all that we expected - exhilarated (even scary at times) weather brilliant, nature diversity, Howie, our guide ever so accommodating, accommodation diverse & excellent, food excellent, autumn scenery simply the best. Highly recommended

Martin|TAS, Australia

1 May 2026

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Excellent- 1st time organised bike tour and could not fault, well organised - tour guide was perfect and looked after us all. All we had to do was pedal our bikes thru magnificent scenery everyday in a beautiful country.

Highly recommend Adventure South for your next bike tour. Many tour options to choose from

Judith|NSW, Australia

1 May 2026

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Everything was great, Nicki and Lisa were wonderful guides and company. We'd love to do another trip with them.

June|New Zealand

24 Apr 2026

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Adventure South ran a fantastic trip.

David|Colorado, United States

24 Apr 2026

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Being my first organised cycle trip I didn’t know what to expect but it exceeded my expectations.

I couldn’t fault anything. The guides Niki and Lisa were great. I would recommend Adventure South for an amazing and stress free tour.

Dawn|New Zealand

22 Apr 2026

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If your into NZ's natural beauty this was a must do trip to see the colors of autumn in our most beautiful part of our country..

The whole trip was organized to perfection from the transport, bikes, accommodation food and of course our knowledgeable guides Nicki , Lisa and mechanic Vin.

Ill certainly be using Adventure South for any more cycle adventures that's for sure.

Terance T|New Zealand

18 Apr 2026

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The Adventures team is exceptionally well organized and clearly committed to delivering the best possible experience, even down to the food they provide. Our guide, Tereza, was always available, supportive, and truly outstanding throughout the journey.

I had a wonderful time riding through different places with the group and sharing life experiences along the way. One of the biggest takeaways for me was the importance of looking out for one another and always putting safety first. Weather conditions, terrain, and every detail were carefully considered, and the accommodations were, in my view, very well selected.

I’m already looking forward to choosing another package in the future, and I hope my guide will be Tereza again.

Juan F|New Zealand

23 Feb 2026

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Excellent trip once again with Adventure South. High quality bikes, professional guides, stunning scenery, excellent accommodation and food. A thoroughly enjoyable experience which we highly recommend.

Heather F|United Kingdom

23 Jan 2026

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Best trip I’ve ever done. Great scenery, great company and excellent organisation. You won’t regret it.

Sandra W|New Zealand

21 Jan 2026

Extra trip info

Accommodation Bikes Trail surfaces Will My Trip Run?

Studio Room at Carrick Lodge | Carrick Lodge

Motels

Often family run, motels range from 3 to 4 stars and provide access to local living thanks to your hosts. The hospitality is generous and their local knowledge is invaluable. Rooms are spacious, warm and comfortable and they have ensuite bathrooms with tea and coffee making facilities. Where possible, we choose locations that add to your experience.

Roxburgh Lodge

Nestled alongside the mighty Clutha Mata-Au River just beyond the stunning Roxburgh Gorge, this lodge offers beautifully appointed studio rooms and suites, with comfortable super king or queen sized beds and a balcony. Located within extensive gardens, relax on the sunny restaurant deck and admire the sweeping views of the surrounding mountains.

Sinch eBikes - Sizes XS, S, M, L, XL*

Designed specifically for Adventure South, our fleet of Sinch e-bikes is built to handle Aotearoa New Zealand’s cycle trails with ease.

These pedal-assist bikes take the effort out of hills and longer rides, thanks to a smooth and reliable Shimano motor system and a comfortable, upright riding position.

For premium comfort and control, they are equipped with:

Large 630Wh battery

Electronic and optional automatic gear shifting

Swept-back handlebars with ergonomic comfort grips

120mm front air suspension

20mm suspension dropper seat post

Hydraulic disc brakes

Adjustable handlebar stem

All sizes apart from XL feature an exceptionally low step-through frame (40cm) and 27.5” x 2.35” tyres.

*The XL bikes feature a step-over frame with 29” x 2.4” tyres for added stability and performance.

Whether you’re riding through the Mackenzie Basin, tracing the path of the Molesworth Muster, or cycling through Otago’s stunning gorges, our e-bikes are designed to help you enjoy every moment of the ride.

Merida Big Nine 200 (Hardtail Mountain bike NOT AN E-BIKE) - Sizes S, M, L & XL:

Our Merida Big Nine 200 hardtails are built for real-world Aotearoa New Zealand trails — reliable, capable, and comfortable. The lightweight aluminium frame and 29x2.4'' tires roll efficiently over a wide range of terrain, while the air suspension fork smooths out bumps and rough tracks. A modern, big range 1x10 drivetrain keeps shifting simple and intuitive, letting you focus on the ride ahead.

Hydraulic disc brakes give you reliable stopping power, and the rear rack fitted with one of our rack bags (included in hire) is ideal for stashing your layers, lunch or camera. With a relaxed upright riding position, this is a great choice for those who want a traditional, pedal-powered ride without sacrificing comfort.

With cleverly engineered geometry, this is a great choice for those who appreciate an engaging pedal powered ride without sacrificing the slightest bit of comfort.

Whether you’re cruising through the Roxburgh Gorge, flying across the Shotover Bridge, or pedalling beside the wild surf of the Taranaki coast, the Merida Big Nine 200 is a dependable trail mate.

* We have step-through bikes available on request, subject to limited availability. These are Avanti Discovery models.

Merida eONE-FORTY 475 EQ (Full suspension, MTB e-bike) - Sizes S, M, L:

This is the e-bike for riders who want the lot — comfort, control, and a little electric boost when the legs need it. The Merida eONE-FORTY 475 EQ features full suspension, a sporty mountainbike position, 29x2.4'' tires and a powerful Shimano motor that’ll help flatten out hills and keep your day flowing smoothly.

A long-lasting 712 Wh battery means you can ride all day, and extras like integrated lights, mudguards and a rack make it practical too. Whether you’re gliding around the Timber Trail, cruising the West Coast Wilderness, or soaking in the sights of the Alps to Ocean, this bike turns the dial up on comfort and capability.

*Subject to limited availability

Cycling from Lauder to Ranfurly in the Poolburn Gorge | Lachlan Gardiner

Compacted Gravel

Cyclists should be confident cycling on uneven surfaces and climbing some gentle hills.

Some Single-Track

Parts of the Lake Dunstan Trail, Roxburgh Gorge Trail and Kawarau Gorge Trail are narrow in places with drop offs.

Every departure date advises whether the date is confirmed, and roughly how full it is. Here is what each one means.

Is the departure confirmed?

Guaranteed to go This departure has reached its minimum number and will run.
It is the point travellers should wait for before booking any non-refundable flights.

Close to guaranteed This appears only when a date is close to reaching minimum numbers. If it shows 1 or 2 to guaranteed, book as a pair on a date needing two and it reaches its minimum. Your booking confirms the date for everybody already booked.

How full is the date I am looking at?

Space is filling or Space is filling fast This date has bookings and places are still open. Filling fast means limited spots available, so don't leave your decision too late.

Closing soon Down to its last few places, or close enough to departure that we are finalising numbers. Still bookable online.

Closed Not bookable online - either full, or inside the notice we need to arrange permits, flights and logistics. Ask us anyway, you never know!

Availability questions answered

Will this trip actually go ahead, or could it be cancelled?

If a date shows Guaranteed to go, it runs regardless of further bookings.

What does 2 to guarantee mean?

It means two travellers are enough to confirm the departure. It could be 2 more to add to the group, or the date only needs 2 people to run. Either way, if you book for two people, the date will become guaranteed to run.

What happens if my departure does not reach minimum numbers?

You will know the status before you book. Every date on this page is labelled, and dates marked “Guaranteed to go” are running regardless of further bookings. Where a date has not reached its minimum we either offer a surcharge to operate for a smaller group size so it can still run, or we cancel it. We contact you directly either way.

Will I get my money back if you cancel a departure?

If we cancel a departure due to not meeting minimum trip numbers, you receive a full refund of everything you have paid us less any non recoverable costs, where insurance may cover you. We cannot refund money committed elsewhere – additional non refundable deposits advised at the time of booking, flights, visas, vaccinations, gear - which is why it is worth waiting for “Guaranteed to go” before booking other arrangements around this trip date. Please read our Booking Terms and Conditions before you book.

Why can't I book some dates online?

Each trip closes online a set time before departure. Permits, internal flights and hut or campsite bookings all have to be arranged before we take payment. Call or enquire as it might still be possible to organise last minute places.

The date I want is closed. What are my options and why does it say to enquire?

Cancellations happen and places do open up on closed dates, so it is worth being on our list. We can also tell you which nearby date on the same trip has space, which is usually the faster route.

None of these dates suit me. Can you run this trip on another date?

Yes, as a private departure. We can run this trip on a date you choose, for your own group - family, friends, a club, or in many cases, just for the two of you. Tell us when you want to travel and who is coming, and we will build it around that.

Guaranteeing A Great New Zealand Trip

Pioneering World Firsts

Quality equipment

Quality accommodations

Innovative itineraries

Custom built, reliable transport

Our all inclusive approach

Cycle the Kawarau, Dunstan & Roxburgh Gorges

Trip highlights

Overview

Itinerary

Ready to start your adventure?