Cycle Tours & Trails
Day Tours
What's included in the Kawarau Gorge Trail Blazer E-Bike Tour?
Your self-guided cycling package includes:
- Premium e-bike hire
- MIPS cycling helmet
- Mini repair kit
- Pannier and handlebar bags
- Trail map
- Bike fitting and pre-ride briefing in Gibbston
- Scheduled shuttle transfers associated with your departure package
- Trail support during your ride
Additional costs: Meals, refreshments, winery tastings and optional attractions.
Bring suitable cycling clothing, closed-toe footwear, a waterproof jacket, drinking water, sunscreen and personal medication.
Who is the Kawarau Gorge Trail Blazer suitable for?
This tour is designed for confident cyclists with previous experience riding on gravel trails and uneven terrain.
The Kawarau Gorge Trail includes Grade 2 easy and Grade 3 intermediate sections. However, the narrow paths, exposed edges, suspension bridges and remote backcountry environment make the ride unsuitable for beginners.
You should have good fitness, be comfortable cycling independently for four to five hours and be able to control an e-bike on changing surfaces. Electric assistance makes climbing easier but does not replace the need for balance, braking skills and safe bike handling.
Some sections may require walking your bike if conditions or your riding ability make cycling unsafe.
The main cycling route begins at the Kiwi Journeys base in Gibbston and finishes in Cromwell. The Queenstown package includes a morning shuttle to Gibbston and a return shuttle from Cromwell after the ride.
Queenstown departure details:
- Check-in: 7:45 am
- Shuttle departure: 8:00 am
- Cycling route: Gibbston to Cromwell
- Ride distance: 36 km
- Riding time: Approximately 4β5 hours
- Finish: Kiwi Journeys Cromwell depot by 4:15 pm
- Return shuttle: Cromwell to Queenstown
Alternative departure arrangements are available from Arrowtown, Gibbston and Cromwell.
- Arrowtown: Morning shuttle to Gibbston, with a return shuttle from Cromwell to Arrowtown.
- Gibbston: Begin directly at the Kiwi Journeys base, with a return shuttle from Cromwell to Gibbston.
- Cromwell: Morning shuttle to Gibbston, then finish your ride back in Cromwell.
All four options include the shuttle arrangements applicable to the selected package. The cycling route and included equipment remain the same.
Choose the departure location that best suits your accommodation and travel plans.
This is a remote, self-guided backcountry ride rather than a leisurely vineyard cycle.
You should be comfortable:
- Riding approximately 40 km
- Riding on compacted gravel
- Controlling an e-bike confidently
- Riding near exposed edges and steep drop-offs
- Crossing suspension bridges
- Managing changing weather conditions
- Riding independently for several hours
There are sections where vehicle access and mobile coverage are limited.
Follow all trail signs, keep left, expect other cyclists and walkers travelling in both directions, and walk any section you do not feel confident riding.
- Route: Gibbston - Cromwell
- Trail Grade: Grade 2 (Easy), Grade 3 (Intermediate)
- Fitness Level: Previous biking experience and a good level of fitness is imperative for the enjoyment of this trail.
- Departure:Β
- Departs at 9.15-10.45am from Gibbston | 8am from Queenstown | 8.30am from Arrowtown and Cromwell
- Check-in at 9-10.30am from Gibbston | 7.45am from Queenstown | 8.20am, Arrowtown | 8.15am, Cromwell
- Return: Return to Cromwell by bike by approximately 4:15pm
Age Information
- Adult: 13 years and up
- Child: 6-12 years
- Cancellations 24+ hours before departure: Full refund*
- Within 24 hours / no-show: 100% cancellation fee.
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.
