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The most scenic cycling trails have been selected for you to ride - Dunstan Trail, Roxburgh Gorge, Poolburn Gorge before we move on to stay at beautiful Millbrook Resort and ride the Gibbston Valley Track.
HIGHLIGHTS
Dazzling autumn landscapes
Guided tour of a Chantecler Garden
E-biking with support escorts
Stay 5 nights in beautiful Clyde
Cycle the Poolburn Gorge
Cycle the Roxburgh Gorge
Cruise on Lake Dunstan
Cycle Lake Dunstan Trail
Cycle Gibbston Valley Trail
Curling on indoor ice arena in Naseby
Visit St Bathans
Visit Lake Wanaka
Gin & Whisky tasting
Visit Cardrona Hotel
Stay 2 nights at Millbrook Resort, Arrowtown
Arrive in to Queenstown this morning. On the outskirts of town is a hidden gem called Chantecler - a fabulous privately owned garden of significance where we will have a guided tour of the property. We then follow the Kawerau River via vineyards, through a dramatic gorge, past orchards and Lake Dunstan to our destination. Our accommodation is located in the centre of the small town of Clyde. This town has a long history of gold mining with some buildings surviving that era and now lovingly restored to create a historic precinct with art galleries, cafes, bars and boutique shops. Surrounding the town is the Clyde Dam and Lake Dunstan, dramatic hills, and the Clutha River which feeds the many stone fruit orchards and vineyards in the area. At this time of year the autumn colours are magnificent. We’ll dine in a local restaurant before getting an early night ahead of our cycling escapades Accommodation: Clyde Central Motel 5 nights
After meeting our Ebikes this morning, we will be transferred to Auripo where we can ease in to our cycling adventure with a relatively flat Grade 1 ride on the Poolburn Gorge section of the Otago Rail Trail. Amongst the highlights today will be riding through the Raggedy Range that separates the Manukerikia and Ida Valley, across the 37m high Poolburn Viaduct, two tunnels, the trail’s longest bridge and of course that epic Central Otago landscape and big sky. We’ll take a detour to the cute little historic village of Ophir before cycling down Tiger Hill to the Chatto Creek Tavern. Relax over a well earned refreshment whilst we wait on our vehicle transfer back to Clyde. If you still have energy you might like to continue riding back to Clyde – additional 25 km.
Today’s exciting adventure is a Grade 1 – 2 ride. We will set off from Clyde after breakfast, cycling a pretty path littered with autumn leaves alongside the Clutha River to Alexandra where we’ll stop for a break, before venturing on to the Roxburgh Gorge trail and ride through to Doctors Point. From here we board a boat with our bikes for an exhilarating ride 13 kms down the river to Shingle Creek. Back in the saddle, we continue riding to the Roxburgh Dam where we cross over and get on to the Clutha Gold Trail riding through to Roxburgh. Prepare to be totally wowed by spectacular scenery today! We’ll be riding an undulating remote trail alongside the colourful Clutha Mata-au with steep bluffs rising up to 350 metres on both sides of the river, relics of Chinese miner huts and mining settlements. Revel in this majestic part of Central Otago often referred to as NZ’s version of the Grand Canyon. Stop along the way for a picnic lunch. When gold was discovered in this area in 1862, towns like Roxburgh shot up and were brimming with miners. Nowadays the town has a population of just 500 and gold has been replaced by pip and stone fruit. We’ll have afternoon tea in one of the local cafes before being transferred by vehicle from Roxburgh to Clyde. Autumn Cycle Central Otago A guided adventure for active women cyclists T: 021 881 063 E: hello@roamtraveladventures.com W: roamtraveladventures.com
Explore Local Free morning. This afternoon we’ll drive to Naseby and try our hand at Curling on the ice. A fun way to spend a couple of hours. On the way home we’ll call in to St Bathans – once a bustling gold mining town, now a fraction of its past but the Vulcan Hotel built in 1882 and a couple of other historic buildings are still standing. Enjoy a drink in the hotel and a walk along the Blue Lake.
Today’s ride is going to be more challenging but you have all day to take your time and enjoy this new trail which opened in May 2021. In the morning we will ride down to the lake and board the Dunstan Explorer for a boat transferr to Cromwell. This is a nice scenic cruise with a bit of history thrown in and is a good way to see the trail from a different angle. It’s a short ride to Old Cromwell precinct where you might like to have a little poke around the shops and galleries in this historic part of town. Cromwell offers sparkling waterways popular for on-water activities and a landscape of rocky rugged hills bronzed by the harsh summer sun. Back in the 1860s millions of ounces of gold was mined in the area – nowadays the new gold is Pinot Noir and cherries which grow with ease in the warm, semi-arid climate, schist soils and seasonal temperature extremes. Once on the Lake Dunstan Trail you will find yourself riding through the unique and fascinating landscapes totally characteristic of Central Otago. We start off on a Grade 1 ride from Old Cromwell to Cornish Point riding along Lake Dunstan and the Kawarau River. Along the way pass by vineyards and make a stop at Coffee Afloat for refreshments before navigating the second section. The next part of the trail is Grade 2+ so you will need to have your wits about you as you navigate cantilevers and switchbacks including the Cairnmuir Ladder which features 9 switchbacks! Some parts of the trail has steep drop offs and narrow tracks but we have all day and it is totally acceptable to dismount and walk your bike for any parts of the track that you don’t feel comfortable riding. Once back in Clyde, we’ll drop off our bikes and stroll back to our accommodation for a celebratory drink by the outdoor fire.
We pack up and depart Clyde after breakfast. Driving back along Lake Dunstan and across to Wanaka where you can take a roam along the lake front to view the much photographed and insta-famous #thatwanakatree. Enjoy a gin & whisky tasting at Cardrona Distillery before continuing on to an iconic Kiwi watering hole – The Cardrona Hotel. This is possibly one of the most photographed historic facades in the country. Time to wander through the hotel and read up on the history before relaxing in the gardens with a late lunch and cool refreshment. The Crown Range lies between Wanaka and Queenstown and is NZ’s highest main road - a truly stunning drive reaching an altitude of 1121 metres. From here it’s a quick drive in to Arrowtown where we will be based for the next few days. We’re in for a real treat at the luxury resort of Millbrook located on the outskirts of Arrowtown. The Resort is framed by the Remarkables Mountain Range and set on 650 acres of pristine golf fairways, pretty streams, rolling hills and beautifully maintained gardens and ancient trees. Late afternoon, enjoy an exclusive tour of the Resort. Learn what goes on behind the scenes to keep the greens and fairways in top condition and view some of the innovative developments and stunning homes. Accommodation: Millbrook Resort 2 nights
Spend the morning exploring Arrowtown with it’s heritage main street packed with boutique shops and a plethora of cafes & bars. There’s charming historic cottages to photogragh, pretty tree-lined streets and remnants of a Chinese miners village, all surrounded by dazzling autumn colours. T: 021 881 063 E: hello@roamtraveladventures.com W: roamtraveladventures.com After lunch, we’re back in the bike saddle to spend a leisurely afternoon cycling along the shady Arrow river, across a suspension bridge and through the Kawerau gorge to that infamous Bridge where brave souls jump from great heights while connected to an elastic cord. You’re welcome to bungy (own cost)! A little further on we reach the Gibbston Valley and visit a couple of vineyards for wine tasting before being transferred back to Arrowtown. Time to freshen up before pre-dinner drinks and dinner at one of Millbrook’s restaurants.
Tour ends after breakfast, with a transfer to Queenstown Airport or town.
• 7 nights accommodation
• Daily breakfast, Dinner on first & last night • Chief Navigator / Cycle Escort
• Transportation by mini-bus & boat
• Airport transfers from/to Queenstown Airport or Queenstown on Day 1 & 8
• E-bike for all 5 days of riding, helmet, pannier & transfers as specified
• Exclusive tour of Millbrook Resort
• Guided tour of a Chantecler Garden Excludes
• Lunches & Dinners**
• Items of a personal nature
• Optional tours/activities
Not included On days that we are cycling or travelling, you have the opportunity to purchase your lunch enroute.
Evening meals will be at local restaurants.
This tour is NOT for learner cyclists. Riding experience on hills and gravel is necessary for you to get the most out of the tour. We will be riding at a leisurely pace and have pedal-assist to get us up those steep hills – you are welcome to walk your bike up, down or around parts of the trail that you find unmanageable to ride.
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