Cycle Tours & Trails
Family-friendly Tours
Day Tours
What do you see and do, and where does the ride go?
After the shuttle and bike briefing in Arrowtown, you set your own pace towards Gibbston. The route follows the Arrow River Bridges Trail, crosses the Edgar Suspension Bridge above the gorge and passes the historic Kawarau Suspension Bridge. From there, the Gibbston River Trail runs above the Kawarau River and into vineyard country. This is a ride between cellar doors, rather than a guided tasting with a fixed sequence of stops.
Possible stops include:
- A short look around Arrowtown before setting off.
- Bridge viewpoints and the Kawarau Bridge Bungy Centre.
- A Gibbston cellar door such as Kinross or Mt Rosa, subject to its opening hours.
- A winery café or restaurant before your arranged shuttle pickup.
Choose how much time to spend riding and how much to leave for lunch or tastings. Winery visits are optional, and tastings are separate from the bike tour. The return shuttle collects riders in Gibbston, so you do not need to cycle back to Arrowtown.
Valley of the Vines Bike Tour information
| Question | Details |
|---|---|
| Where does it start? | Meet at the bus stop at 43 Camp Street, Queenstown; shuttle to Arrowtown for the ride. |
| Where does it finish? | At a participating Gibbston winery, with a return shuttle to Queenstown. |
| How far is the ride? | Approximately 22–27 km, depending on the route and winery stops. |
| How long should I allow? | About 2–3 hours riding; allow roughly six hours for transfers, stops and the return. |
| When does it run? | The operator lists a 10 am start and year-round availability. Its regular staffed days are Tuesday to Sunday; Mondays are by arrangement. Confirm your date and return pickup when booking. |
| What is included? | A standard pedal bike, helmet, route map, safety briefing, local support and two-way shuttle. An e-bike can be selected when booking. |
| What is extra? | Meals, drinks and optional wine tastings. |
| How difficult is it? | Mostly easy trail riding with some short climbs, gravel, narrow bridges and road crossings. Riders need basic bike control. |
Where do you depart, when do you return, and are meals included?
Meet at the 43 Camp Street bus stop near Marmolada Café in central Queenstown. The operator lists a 10 am meeting time; arrive a little early so you can find the group. The shuttle to Arrowtown takes approximately 20 minutes, followed by bike fitting and a route briefing. Going Blue describes the outing as 10 am–4 pm, with 2–3 hours on the bike. The remaining time covers transfers, briefings and stops. Confirm the precise Gibbston pickup point and return time on your booking, especially if you have evening plans. Regular staffed days are Tuesday to Sunday, with Mondays by arrangement.
Meals are not included. Bring a snack or allow time to buy lunch at a Gibbston winery or café. Water is not supplied, and wine tastings are optional extras. If you want winery visits without cycling, compare the Queenstown hop-on hop-off wine tour. If you would prefer someone to lead the ride, see the Ride to the Vines guided e-bike tour.
How fit do you need to be, and what are the distance, climb and trail surface?
You should be able to start, stop, steer and brake confidently on a bike. The main trail sections are generally graded easy, but this is still a substantial 22–27 km ride. Expect compact gravel, short climbs and descents, shared paths, narrow suspension bridges and a short stretch shared with local traffic. Some winery access points require crossing the busy Gibbston Highway. Walk your bike where a bridge or crossing feels uncomfortable, and keep children close beside the river and road.
A mapped Arrowtown-to-Gibbston route of about 22 km records approximately 150 m of cumulative elevation gain. Treat that as a planning estimate: the operator does not publish a fixed climb figure, and your actual ascent will change with cellar-door detours or a trail reroute. A pedal bike suits riders happy to manage the distance and short rises; an e-bike reduces the effort on climbs but still requires cycling skills.
Families can join, provided each rider can handle the route. Riders must be 16 or older to ride unsupervised. Child bike and trailer options may be available, so arrange the right equipment when booking rather than assuming it will be at the departure point. The stated maximum rider weight is 120 kg.
What is provided, what should you bring, and what happens in rain?
The tour includes your booked bike, helmet, lock, route information, safety briefing, local support and shuttles. Bring a filled water bottle, closed-toe shoes, a charged phone, sun protection and layers suited to the forecast. Pack a waterproof jacket even when Queenstown looks clear: the exposed Gibbston section can feel colder, particularly in winter. Bring identification if you plan to taste wine.
Rain can leave gravel muddy and affect access to the trail. Ask the operator about the route if the forecast is poor; it decides whether conditions permit the tour. Check the route before publishing or travelling: the Queenstown Trails Trust currently reports a rain-damage closure on the Arrow River Bridges Trail between Tobins Bridge and Whitechapel Road. On aarrival you will be told which route is best, while that closure remains in place.
- Meet in Queenstown for your shuttle transfer
- Travel to Arrowtown for bike fitting and trail briefing
- Ride towards Gibbston Valley at your own pace
- Stop at wineries, cafés and viewpoints along the way
- Finish in Gibbston and return to Queenstown by shuttle
Suggested Stops
- Arrowtown for an optional brunch before riding
- Twin Rivers Trail for bridges and river scenery
- Gibbston Valley wineries for tastings and cellar doors
- Winery restaurants for lunch or shared platters
- Gibbston finish point for return shuttle connection
- Scenic shuttle from Queenstown to Arrowtown
- Flexible return pickup from any Gibbston winery
- Standard bike or optional premium e-bike
- Helmet and safety briefing
- Route maps and local tips
What's not included
- Water (available to purchase nearby)
- Winery tastings (optional add-ons available)
- Minimum Age: 16 years + to ride unsupervised
- Junior trailers and co-pilot tandem attachments available for one child or two infants up to 45kgs.
- Attachments ideal for children over 4 years old to ride with an adult.
- More than 48 hours before departure: Full refund**.
- Within 48 hours: No refund
Note: **Any refund approved under our terms and conditions will be subject to a 5% admin & processing fee, which will be deducted from the refund amount.
Please see more information on refunds and cancellations in Go New Zealand's terms and conditions.*