Search icon

South Island

Start: Queenstown
Locations: 3 See all
Duration: 4-5 Hours
Distance: 36 km
Difficulty: 3
Minimum Age: 10

The Kawarau Gorge Trail Blazer & Winery Experience is a 36km self-guided e-bike tour from Gibbston to Cromwell, finishing with a burger and drink at Bannockburn Hotel. Departures are available from Gibbston, Queenstown, Arrowtown or Cromwell on scheduled operating days from September to May, with winter departures on request. Allow four to five hours of riding, plus transfers and a meal stop. Includes e-bike hire, safety equipment, shuttles, trail maps and support, and suits experienced riders with good fitness.

Explore the Kawarau Gorge Trail by E-Bike

Discover Central Otago’s dramatic landscapes on a 36 km self-guided e-bike adventure along the Kawarau Gorge Trail, connecting Gibbston and Cromwell. Ride through rugged backcountry above the Kawarau River, passing rocky outcrops, historic gold-mining sites and impressive suspension bridges. The route travels beneath Nevis Bluff and features a natural elevation descent of approximately 150 metres when riding from Gibbston towards Cromwell.

Continue along Felton Road into Bannockburn, a celebrated wine-growing area known for its vineyards and distinctive Central Otago scenery. After completing the ride, enjoy a well-earned burger and beverage at Bannockburn Hotel, providing a relaxed finish to your cycling adventure. With sweeping river views, challenging trail sections and a rewarding food stop, this experience combines outdoor adventure with local flavour.

Plan Your Kawarau Gorge E-Bike and Winery Experience

This single-day tour covers approximately 36 km, with four to five hours of riding across Grade 2 (easy) and Grade 3 (intermediate) terrain. Although the route includes easier sections, it is recommended for experienced cyclists with a good level of fitness and confident bike-handling skills. Much of the trail crosses remote backcountry, including an unsupported 32 km section, so riders should be comfortable managing varied surfaces and riding independently.

Choose a departure option from Gibbston, Queenstown, Arrowtown or Cromwell, with shuttle transfers connecting you to the trailhead and your preferred return point. The package includes premium e-bike hire, a MIPS helmet, a mini-repair kit, pannier and handlebar bags, associated shuttles, a trail map, trail support, and a burger and beverage at Bannockburn Hotel. The main operating season runs from September to May, while winter departures from June to August are available on request, with bike fitting and the tour briefing conducted in Gibbston.

  • Premium eBike hire
  • Additional equipment: MIPs helmet, mini-repair kit, pannier & handlebar bags
  • Bannockburn Hotel burger & beverage
  • All associated shuttles
  • Trail map
  • Trail support
  • Route: Gibbston - Cromwell
  • Distance: 36 km
  • Ride Time: Approximately 4–5 hours
  • Trail Grade: Grade 2 (Easy), Grade 3 (Intermediate)
  • Fitness Level: Previous biking experience and a good level of fitness are imperative for the enjoyment of this trail.

Departure

  • Departs at 9.15-10.45am from Gibbston | 8am from Queenstown | 8.30am from Arrowtown/Cromwell
  • Check-in at 9-10.30am from Gibbston | 7.45am, Queenstown | 8.20am, Arrowtown | 8.15am, Cromwell

    NB: Bike fitting and tour briefing will be conducted in Gibbston

Return

  • Return to Cromwell by bike by approximately 4:15pm
  • Adult: 13 years and up
  • Child: 10-12 years
  • Cancellations 72+ hours before departure: Full refund*
  • Between 72 - 24 hours: Refund* less $100 per person cancellation fee
  • 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.

Related Tours

Some other tours you might be interested in

Sign up to our newsletter for special deals & exciting news.