Queenstown Otago Trail

Your adventure kicks off bright and early in Queenstown, where we gather for a quick briefing before jumping in the saddle. Today’s ride is a real showstopper—arguably the finest of the Queenstown Trails—and it all begins right from your hotel doorstep.

You’ll start by tracing the shimmering shoreline of Lake Wakatipu along the Frankton Trail, a beautifully laid shingle path with jaw-dropping views of mountains and water at every turn. When you reach the old Kawarau Bridge, it’s time to switch gears onto the Twin Rivers Trail and then cruise along the Countryside Trail as you glide your way into charming Arrowtown—an old gold mining town that’s perfect for a laid-back lunch stop.

But the fun doesn’t stop there. You’ll jump onto the Arrow River Bridges Trail, crossing two spectacular suspension bridges and soaking up the beauty of the historic Kawarau Gorge. Here, you’ll see bungy jumpers and zipliners chasing thrills while you spin your way through serene landscapes.

We load up the bikes at the historic Kawarau Bridge and take a scenic drive through the dramatic Kawarau Gorge, passing the legendary Roaring Meg and the echoes of gold diggings from yesteryear. By evening, you’ll roll into Clyde, a town steeped in history and your cosy base for the night at the elegant Dunstan House.

Today you will start the Otago Central Rail Trail ride, as you leave town across flat rural countryside. From Chatto Creek the trail starts to rise, before leveling off to Omakau where you will stop for lunch. You will then take a drive around the quaint township of Ophir and to the top of the Raggedy Range to get a bird’s eye view of the trail and the surrounding region. After lunch, the remaining 9kms flow under the wheels until we arrive at Lauder. Late afternoon you will be driven to the historic gold mining village, St. Bathans, for a walk around the beautiful Blue Lake. This evening it is time for a relaxing beer and a game of pool at the local pub before dinner.

Your cycle ride today takes you through the first two tunnels and two rail bridges on the trip. With the willow tree-edged gorge below the trail and welcoming pools beckoning you finally emerge into the scenic Idaburn valley. Here you stop for a visit to the Hayes Engineering works, where some of New Zealand’s first industrial farm equipment was invented. The stop is also perfectly located to fuel up with a hearty lunch at their cafe before our afternoon ride.

One last short easy climb will take you to the highest point of the trail and the beginning of the downhill descent that takes you to the art deco township of Ranfurly. You’ll have some free time in the afternoon to relax, stroll around Ranfurly or catch up on some washing. Around 4:30pm you will be driven out to Naseby, a small foresting township, just off the trail. Here we have the option of trying our skills at curling: bowls on ice. This is a lot of fun and is the only dedicated curling rink in the Southern Hemisphere. If curling doesn’t appeal, a relaxing pint at the iconic Royal Hotel, or a walk around the village or in the forest plantation are alternatives. After the afternoons activities we head back to Ranfurly for dinner and overnight.

Today is your longest ride, but it is some of the best cycling on the trip. From Waipiata, the trail follows the edge of the old lake before entering the Taieri Gorge. The trail crosses through tunnels and across bridges before a fast downhill to the old hotel at Hyde. From here, a final 27kms takes you out onto the rolling plains slowly descending into Middlemarch. This is the end of the trail and time for a celebratory drink at a local cafe. However, the day is not yet finished as you board the famous Taieri Express for a spectacular train ride through the gorge to Dunedin, the Edinburgh of New Zealand.

After a hearty breakfast, you’re back in the saddle and ready to roll along the breathtaking Otago Peninsula. This ride is something special—hugging the shores of Otago Harbour, flanked by ancient volcanic hills, and bursting with wildlife at every turn. Keep your eyes peeled for albatross gliding above, curious seals lounging on the rocks, and penguins waddling along the coast. This place is steeped in stories too, with shipwrecks and sea legends scattered throughout.

You’ll pedal your way to the charming coastal village of Portobello where it’s time to switch from cleats to casuals. Lunch is a laid-back affair, picked up locally and enjoyed on the water because we’re not done exploring just yet.

Hop aboard the ‘Sootychaser’—a nimble little vessel named after the speedy Sooty shearwater—and set sail on a mini wildlife tour. As you cruise the harbour, you’ll hear tales from the past, spot native birds, catch glimpses of historic boats, and even spy the stately Larnach Castle from the water.

After this brilliant blend of riding and wildlife, your journey winds down with a drop-off near the Dunedin train station. If you’re heading home, the airport is just a quick taxi or Uber away. But if you’re tempted to linger a little longer in this city of Scottish soul, Māori roots, and grand Victorian charm, there are plenty of great spots to stay right in the heart of Dunedin.