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Exploring the trails around Wanaka - Cycle the Kawarau, Dunstan & Roxburgh Gorges, New Zealand
Exploring the trails around Wanaka  | Geoff Marks
Exploring the trails around Wanaka - Cycle the Kawarau, Dunstan & Roxburgh Gorges, New Zealand
Exploring the trails around Wanaka  | Geoff Marks
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
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
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
Dunstan House accommodation in Clyde - Cycle the Kawarau, Dunstan & Roxburgh Gorges, New Zealand
Dunstan House accommodation in Clyde  | Lachlan Gardiner
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 - Cycle the Kawarau, Dunstan & Roxburgh Gorges, New Zealand
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 Jan 2026

New Zealand
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 183 reviews

5 Days from

$2420 USD

Trip Code: QCG
View dates to Book
Essential Information

Extra trip options & supplements

*Prices listed are per person

Bike Rental
$100 USD
Sinch Ebike Rental
$350 USD
Single Supplement - Limited to 2 per departure
$410 USD
Merida Full Suspension eBike Rental
$520 USD
Duration
  • 5 Days
Activities
  • 5 day cycle trail
Accommodation
  • 4 nights hotel/motel
Meals
  • 3 Dinners
  • 4 Lunches
  • 4 Breakfasts
Difficulty Grading  
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 will ride through the Kawarau Gorge on the new Trail before we head 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 have our first taste of the Lake Dunstan Trail, initially 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, heading across the Bannockburn Bridge, into the picturesque Cromwell Gorge and through to the charming town of Clyde, The River Taril leads us to our Accommodation in Alexandra.

The next day we head across to Lawrence and ride the Clutha Gold Cycle Trail, starting near Gabriel’s Gully, the historic sight 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 on the Clutha through the narrow, rugged gorge.

Charming country towns and warm hospitality are all part of the package, as is delicious food & wine and ample opportunity to meet the locals.

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 Kawerau 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?

36 scheduled departures between 21 Sep 2026 and 1 May 2028.

  • Departs 21 Sep 2026 – ends 25 Sep 2026 (5 days)
  • 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)
  • … and 30 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
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

Responsible Travel

Extra trip info

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.

Bedroom in Roxburgh Lodge | Roxburgh Lodge

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.

One of Adventure South's Fleet Low Step eBikes | Izzi Barton

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

Designed right here in Aotearoa New Zealand, our fleet of Sinch eBikes is made to handle the country’s trails with ease. These pedal-assist bikes take the edge off hills and longer rides thanks to smooth, reliable Shimano motor systems and a comfortable, upright riding position.

They come with front suspension, hydraulic disc brakes, and air-sprung dropper seat posts to help fine-tune your comfort on the go. The smaller sizes (XS, S, M) feature step-through frames and swept-back handlebars for a relaxed touring posture, while large and XL frames are also available in a step-through option on request.

Whether you’re riding through the Mackenzie Basin, tracing the path of the Molesworth muster, or rolling past vineyards in Hawke’s Bay, the Sinch eBike is built to help you enjoy the ride.

Looking for a riding position more like a mountain bike? Prefer to stand on the pedals or want a full-suspension ride? Consider upgrading to our Merida eOne-FORTY 475 EQ for next-level comfort and capability across all terrain.

Tap the arrows left and right to explore the other bikes on offer for this tour.

One of Adventure South's Fleet Size Large/XL High Step Bikes | Izzi Barton

Sinch eBike (Front suspension mountain bike style) - Sizes L & XL

Designed right here in Aotearoa New Zealand, our fleet of Sinch eBikes is made to handle the country’s trails with ease. These pedal-assist bikes take the edge off hills and longer rides thanks to smooth, reliable Shimano motor systems and a comfortable, upright riding position.

They come with front suspension, hydraulic disc brakes, and air-sprung dropper seat posts to help fine-tune your comfort on the go. Large and XL frames are also available in a step-through option on request.

Whether you’re riding through the Mackenzie Basin, tracing the path of the Molesworth muster, or rolling past vineyards in Hawke’s Bay, the Sinch eBike is built to help you enjoy the ride.

Looking for a riding position more like a mountain bike? Prefer to stand on the pedals or want a full-suspension ride? Consider upgrading to our Merida eOne-FORTY 475 EQ for next-level comfort and capability across all terrain.

Tap the arrows left and right to explore the other bikes on offer for this tour.

One of Adventure South's Fleet Hard Tail Mountain Bikes (not electric) | Izzi Barton

Avanti Discovery - Hard Tail Mountain Bike (Not an eBike)

Our custom Avanti Discovery bikes are built for real-world Aotearoa New Zealand trails — simple, solid, and comfortable. Fast-rolling tyres and upgraded suspension forks keep things smooth over mixed terrain, while the 1x10 drivetrain makes gear changes easy and intuitive.

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.

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

This bike is also available in a low-step model on request!

Tap the arrows left and right to explore the other bikes available to rent for this tour.

One of Adventure South's Fleet Hard Tail Low Step Mountain Bikes (not electric) | Izzi Barton

Avanti Discovery - Hard Tail Low-step Mountain Bike (Not an eBike)

Just like our Avanti Discovery hardtail mountain bike, the low-step version is simple, solid, and comfortable. Fast-rolling tyres and upgraded suspension forks keep things smooth over mixed terrain, while the 1x10 drivetrain makes gear changes easy and intuitive.

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.

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

Tap the arrows left and right to explore the other bikes available to rent for this tour.

Riders cycling the Queenstown Trails throughout the South Island | Geoff Marks

Merida eONE-FORTY 475 E - (subject to availability - through November 2025)

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 relaxed riding position, and a powerful Shimano motor that’ll help flatten out hills and keep your day flowing smoothly.

A long-lasting 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 Great Taste Trail, cruising the West Coast Wilderness, or soaking in the sights of the Timber Trail, this bike turns the dial up on comfort and capability.

(photos will be updated mid-August)

Tap the arrows left and right to explore the other bikes available to rent for this tour.

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.

Lake Dunstan Trail | Howie Barnes

Some Single-Track

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

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