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Trail Info

TRAIL GRADES:

LAKE HAYES LOOP

- GRADE 2 (EASY)

Circumnavigates Lake Hayes for 8km.

GIBBSTON RIVER TRAIL

- GRADE 2 (EASY)

8.7km recently upgraded trail

alongside Kawarau River.

QUEENSTOWN TO ARROWTOWN

- GRADES 2-3 (EASY-INTERMEDIATE)

Takes in the Shotover River and the

Millbrook Resort.

MOBILE PHONE COVERAGE:

Most parts of this trail have coverage

for the major mobile networks.

DRINKING WATER: Don’t forget

your water bottle. Most local

businesses will be happy for you

to refi ll your drink bottle along the

way. Plus you can buy food and

beverages along the trail.

Winter Wonderland

Queenstown’s dramatic landscapes and

dynamic activities ensure its position as

New Zealand’s

premier winter

alpine resort. Its

vibrant, compact

town centre

always puts on a

show for visitors.

Spot the TSS Earnslaw, known as the

‘Lady of the Lake’, gliding across Lake

Wakatipu.

She’s the last

remaining coal-

fi red passenger

vessel operating

in the southern

hemisphere.

The ‘Lady of the Lake’

LOOK OUT FOR...

The Queenstown Trail unveils close to 120km

(including the trail’s loops) of spectacular cycle

trail in Otago’s Wakatipu Basin.

THE QUEENSTOWN

Trail

Take a cruise on the lake and explore this

elegant vessel, including the bridge and

the engine room where stokers fuel the

fi reboxes. Cruises can be combined with

stops at Walter Peak High Country Farm,

which offers a delightful setting with

activities aplenty. You can watch sheep

shearing, enjoy a horse trek or take a

heritage excursion.

The trail meanders through

some of New Zealand’s most

breathtaking scenery, taking

in the Gibbston wine area, the historic

gold-mining town of Arrowtown and

the stunning landscapes of Lake Hayes,

Frankton and Queenstown. Riders will

enjoy discovering hidden ruins, amazing

architecture and historic bridges.

There are plenty of reasons to stop

along the way: for a cheeky wine

tasting at a world-class vineyard, to

savour fi rst-rate food and coffee, or to

take the plunge with a thrilling bungy

jump at the Kawarau Bridge Bungy.

You can make your own way along

the trail, or to get the most out of your

Queenstown Trail experience, contact

one of the local tour operators for

advice. They have the local knowledge

and resources to help plan and

organise you and your bikes, including

bike hire, transport and pick-ups and

drop-offs anywhere along the trail.

Queenstown’s reputation as one

of the world’s favourite adventure

destinations is well deserved. Once

you’ve fi nished your ride there is a wide

range of other tourist attractions to

entertain and invigorate you.

The Queenstown Trail is a joint

initiative of the Queenstown Trails

Trust, the Queenstown Lakes District

Council, and the New Zealand Cycle

Trail project.

2-3 Days 120km

2-3 DAYS 120km

QUEENSTOWN ROUNDTRIP

Kelvin Heights, Queenstown Trail BELOW RIGHT: Winter Festival, Queenstown

© Destination Queenstown BELOW LEFT: TSS Earnslaw, Queenstown

© Real Journeys

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6

6QUEENSTOWN

ARROWTOWN

Arthurs Point

FranktonQueenstown Airport

Chard Farm

Gibbston Gibbston Valley

KAWARAU BRIDGE

Coronet PeakSki Field

Kelvin Heights

Jacks Point

Frankton Arm

Jacks PointTrack

Lake HayesCircuit

Gibbston River TrailSHOTOVER BRIDGE

Th

e R

ema

rka

bles

Crow

n Range

Lake Wakatipu

Lake

Hay

es

Shotover R iver

Kawarau River

Countryside RideArrow RiverBridges Ride

Twin RiversRide

Lake WakatipuRide

MAP LEGENDopen section

optional section

start / fi nish point

point of interest

i-SITE Visitor Centre

town

café/restaurant

toilets

accommodation

camping

state highway

13km 12.5km 13.5km 15.5km 15.5km 6.5km

QueenstownQueenstown

Gibbston Valley

Shotover Bridge Shotover Bridge Kawarau Bridge

Arrowtown Kawarau Bridge

The Queenstown Trail offers something for

everyone, whether you’ve got a couple of

hours or a few days. There are plenty of

great riding options and you can do as much

as you want.

This is an Easy to Intermediate (Grades 2-3)

cycle trail that connects the three hubs of

Queenstown, Arrowtown and Gibbston. The

trail is well signposted and because you’re

never more than 20 minutes or so from a

main road, it’s very diffi cult to lose your

way. The trail can be ridden in sections to

suit your ability or link it all together for a

longer ride.

Here are some suggested itineraries for

shorter rides:

Lake Hayes Circuit, 8km

This is one of the most scenic rides in the

Wakatipu Basin, popular with walkers and

cyclists. It circumnavigates Lake Hayes for

8km following a wide gravel trail. Starting

at the top from Rutherford Rd, an

anti-clockwise direction is easier.

Gibbston River Trail, 8.7km

The Gibbston River Trail follows a relatively

easy gradient alongside the Kawarau River

providing access to wineries and historic

archaeological sites. This is a there-and-

RIDING THE TRAIL

“Cyclists will be attracted to The Queenstown Trail because of the iconic mountain

scenery and the existing tourism attractions such as the wineries and the Kawarau

Bungy venture.”John Dunn, Programme Manager, Nga Haerenga, The New Zealand Cycle Trail

back ride starting at the Kawarau Bridge

Bungy and ending at the Gibbston Back

Rd – the return trip is 17km.

Queenstown to Arrowtown, 27km

The start/end of this 27km section of trail

is the Memorial Gates on Queenstown’s

waterfront and Manse Rd in Arrowtown.

This trail takes in the Shotover River,

crossing the restored historic bridge and

Millbrook Resort.

Riding from Queenstown, if you want to

avoid some hill climbing, turn left when

you get to Lower Shotover Rd and then

right on to Speargrass Flat Rd. Look for the

Millbrook trail sign just past the Slopehill

Rd turn-off.

For a more challenging uphill ride, turn

right when you get to Lower Shotover Rd

then on to Slopehill Rd.

Note the Millbrook trail is smooth gravel

but is steep in parts, so be prepared to

push your bike in places.

The easier (more downhill) option is to

ride from Arrowtown to Queenstown.

Stream crossing, Arrow River Bridges Ride © davidwallphoto.com

6

© AA Traveller 2015

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things to do...

ALONGSIDE THE TRAIL

This trail winds through charming small towns and features some of New Zealand’s most famous scenery.

Queenstown is the southern

hemisphere’s premier lake and alpine

resort. As well as Queenstown’s famed

adventure activities, you can take a

Queenstown284km NW of Dunedin on SH 6

Buckingham St, Arrowtown © Discover Arrowtown

cruise on Lake Wakatipu, ride high above

the town in a gondola, soak in a hot pool

or indulge at a day spa. In winter, skiing

or snowboarding at one of Queenstown’s

ski fi elds is a must.

Though dwarfed by the nearby Lake

Wakatipu, Lake Hayes has views not

to be missed. If you’re after that

picture-postcard refl ection of snow-

capped mountains in the water, this is

the place to bring your camera.

Picture-perfect Arrowtown is a living

museum, retaining much of its gold-

rush character. Visit the Lakes District

Museum and the Chinese Miners’

settlement for an insight into the

town’s interesting history. With four

very distinct seasons, the town puts

on a magnifi cent display of colours in

autumn, is a popular base for skiers in

winter and spring, and is a great spot to

spend the long hot days of summer.

The town’s beautifully preserved

historical buildings, quaint shops

and thriving restaurant scene all ensure

there is plenty to keep you occupied if

you need a break on the trail.

The Gibbston Valley is one of the

premium wine-growing areas in New

Zealand, where unique conditions

combine to bring the best out of pinot

noir, in particular. The valley is another

good reason to take a well-deserved

break for a spot of wine tasting and/or

an incredible dining experience.

ABSOLUTE LAKEFRONT• Quiet & spacious• 18 luxury lakeside 1, 2 & 3-brm apartments

with internal staircases• Full kitchen, log fi res, ensuite bathrooms

with spa bath, private BBQs, own laundry• 2min drive or pleasant lakeside walk

to centre of town• Indoor heated swimming pool & sauna • Sky TV (8 channels) • 40-inch fl atscreens• FREE WiFi • Undercover carports • Located on Queenstown Trail• Underfl oor heating & undercover parking• Tariff: $342-$512 (2 persons)

151 Frankton Rd, Queenstown • P: 03 442 5050 • E: info@spinnaker.co.nz www.spinnakerbay.co.nz • Reservations: 0800 00 55 77

AFFORDABLE COMFORT

• Centrally located lodge, 2min walk to town.• 11 comfortable modern rooms with natural

wood interior, 2 with kitchenettes, underfl oor heating in bathroom, king/twin beds.

• Flatscreen 32” LCD Sky TVs. Free WiFi.• Scrumptious breakfast in dining room avail.• Free covered car parking • Bike washing

facilities • Free luggage storage.• Recommended by Lonely Planet for

Queenstown accommodation.

10 Coronation Dr, Queenstown Ph: +64 3 441 0860 F: +64 3 441 0875 Email: info@coronationlodge.co.nz Reservations: 0800 420 777

www.coronationlodge.co.nz

• Views of Lake Wakatipu & Remarkables, spacious landscaped grounds

• 32in fl atscreen TVs • FREE WiFi

• Bistro restaurant with fi reside drinks, hot spa & sauna, BBQ area, tennis court.

• Tariff: $105-$190594 Frankton Rd, Queenstown Ph: 03-442 6500

www.goldridgeresort.co.nz Reservations: 0800 656 100

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Cardrona Alpine Resort has more

than 320 skiable hectares of dry,

natural snow. It’s popular for cross-

country and freestyle skiing and

snowboarding, offering slopes suitable

for all levels.

The rolling, open slopes of Coronet

Peak offer a range of exciting terrain for

skiers and snowboarders. Coronet Peak

Queenstown earns its title as the South Island’s major

ski resort town thanks to its easy access to world-

renowned ski fi elds.

has night skiing, one of the country’s

most exhilarating winter experiences.

The Remarkables ski fi eld is well known

for having a relaxed atmosphere and

beginner-friendly slopes, as well as

versatile and challenging terrain.

There’s also Snow Farm, a cross-country

ski area 58km from Queenstown with

55km of groomed trails.

SNOW ON SHOW

Consider an appetiser of Nevis Bungy,

the highest jump in the southern

hemisphere, followed by a hearty main of

tandem skydiving. Or discover bird’s-eye

Queenstown with a paraglide, originally

used by local climbers as a fast way to

descend the mountains. You could head

to the highest point and entirely off the

beaten track on a heliskiing adventure,

or ramp up the thrill factor by opting to

go upside down on a self-release, rough-

as-guts 150km/hr canyon swing. Those

over 75 will be pleased to know they can

bungy for free at AJ Hackett Bungy.

Given that commercial bungy jumping began in

Queenstown, it’s no surprise there are reputedly over 215

spine-tingling adventure activities to choose from here.

ADVENTURE CAPITAL

Remarkables ski fi eld © Destination Queenstown

Skydiving Queenstown © Nzone

• Lakefront location

• Private lakefront balconies

• Kitchen and laundry facilities, WiFi

• Carport and off-street parking

• 3 minutes easy walk to town

• Outstanding lake & mountain views

E: info@queenstownaccommodation.co.nzwww.queenstownaccommodation.co.nz

All types of accommodation available

Reservations Freephone:0800 160 600

Queenstown’sbest value accommodation!

Hamilton Rd

Robins

Rd

Shot

over

St

Camp St

Stanley St

Brecon St

LakeWakatipu

CentralQueenstown

To Frankton

To Arrowtown

Gondola

To Glenorchy

www.pinewood.co.nzPh 0800 PINEWOOD

Free WIFI

Bike-knowledgable Staff

Bike Rentals On Site

Secure Bike Storage & Service Station

Bike-in Bike-out Access to Skyline Bike Park

Self-contained Units/Houses Own Room & Dormitory

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ILAlexandra began life as a gold-mining

settlement. Today it is famous for

stone fruit, merino fi ne wool, pinot

noir and excellent weather (it has the

lowest rainfall of any town in New

Zealand).

Alexandra

Clyde is a pretty town with buildings

preserved from the gold-rush era. The

surrounding area includes the Clyde

Dam and Earnscleugh Valley.

Clyde

Wanaka is blessed with a crystal-

clear lake, towering snow-capped

peaks and a tremendous national park.

Lake Wanaka sparkles on the edge

of town, and everything from outdoor

adventure to indoor indulgence can

be found here. The activities in and

around Wanaka include: jet boating,

rock climbing, 4WD safaris, heli-

biking, mountain biking, canyoning,

paragliding, golf, horse riding and

fi shing... to name just a few.

Cromwell is set in a spectacular

landscape of bare brown hills,

fertile valleys, pristine lakes and

rivers, and dramatic gorges. Visit the

Cromwell Heritage Precinct, with

lovingly restored historic buildings,

which holds a farmers’ market every

Sunday in summer. Lake Dunstan is a

highlight. You can also visit a vineyard

and sample the region’s famous pinot

noir, or visit Goldfi elds Mining Centre

and try your hand at gold panning.

NEARBY DESTINATIONSTable with a view, Wanaka © Lake Wanaka Tourism

RIGHT ABOVE: Alexandra and Clutha River; RIGHT BELOW: Omeo Peonie Gardens in Earnscleugh;

BOTH © Tourism Central Otago

Arrowtownafter the Arrow River • 22km NE of Queenstown

• Spacious 1 & 2-brm apartments • Self-contained with kitchens• Communal spa pool & BBQs• In-unit laundry (2-brm) • 2min walk to town • Quiet location. Most apartments

have fantastic views • Instant online confi rmation • $135-$270 (1-2p), $30 each extra• 5GB FREE WiFi daily

14 Turner Street (PO Box 435), QueenstownPh: 03 442 8383Fax: 03 442 9494

RESERVATIONS FREEPHONE: 0800 804 333

Email: turnerh@queenstown.co.nz

www.turnerheights.co.nz21 Inverness Cres, Arrowtown

Ph/Fax: 03 442 1765 Email: viking.lodge@callplus.net.nz

www.arrowtownvikinglodge.co.nz

6]$4TZ2GE\X9

• 12 spacious, fully self-contained individual 1 & 2-brm chalets on the sunny side of Arrowtown

• Set in quiet grounds • FREE WiFi

• Swimming pool, drying room

• Children’s play area • Flatscreen/SKY TV• Air-conditioning/heat pump in most units• Tariff: $110-$160 (1-2 persons), extra person

$25. Off-season & single rates.

RESERVATIONS: 0800 181 900

www.vikinglodge.co.nz

EACH UNIT HAS AN AUTOMATIC

WASHING MACHINE