E-Bike Adventures in Queenstown

E-bikes are revolutionising the way visitors experience Queenstown's stunning landscapes. With the extra boost from electric assistance, you can effortlessly cover more ground, conquer challenging terrains, and explore further into our beautiful region.

Imagine zipping along scenic roads and tackling steep hills with ease, all while taking in breathtaking views. Most e-bikes in Queenstown offer a range of around 50 km on a single charge, giving you ample opportunity to venture off the beaten path and discover hidden gems.

Ready to embark on your e-biking adventure? This guide will help you plan your perfect ride with information on e-bike rentals, popular trails, and guided tours throughout Queenstown and its surroundings.

Top Trails for e-bikes near Queenstown

The Queenstown Trail is one of New Zealand’s Great Rides, with more than 130km of trails, and that’s just the start of the vast network of trails in the region. Here are a few of our top picks for great places to ride your e-bike near Queenstown.

The Queenstown Trail from Queenstown to Arrowtown

A popular riding option is the section of the Queenstown Trail between Queenstown and Arrowtown. This is a 33 km commitment on a pushbike, but if you’re not so keen on a hard slog and would prefer a gentle cruise, an e-bike will make your day.

Head from Queenstown to Frankton, then follow the Kawarau and the Shotover Rivers on the Twin Rivers Trail as you climb towards Arrowtown. Join the Arrow River Bridges trail from the Twin Rivers Trail, make a left at Morven Ferry Road and go over the Knights Family bridge (the one under SH6) then the Southern Discoveries Bridge before carrying on through to Arrowtown.

The Gibbston River Trail

If you’ve started in Arrowtown and have vines in your sights, the wine-soaked valley of Gibbston is now an easy 14km away. This is an easy trail made even more so with a little electric assistance—and it’s possible to join a tour to meet like-minded riders to share your tasting notes with.

This beautiful trail has panoramic vistas of the Kawarau River and the vineyards. Make time to stop and enjoy the scenery of the Kawarau Gorge.

Top of the lake from Glenorchy

Head north to Glenorchy, and explore the film locations of Paradise or ride the trail around the headwaters of Lake Whakatipu. You can even venture around the top of the lake to Kinloch for lunch and a refreshing beverage before cruising back to base.

Three people biking on Edgar Bridge, Gibbston Valley Trail — Biking Across the Edgar Bridge, Arrow River Bridges Trail

Make Queenstown your base for three other Great Rides.

Queenstown is a gateway to a number of other incredible Great Rides in the region. Stay several weeks and make Queenstown your basecamp, as you explore Central Otago further with Around the Mountains, the Otago Rail Trail, and the Lake Dunstan Trail.

Where to hire an e-bike in Queenstown

Here are some of the best places to hire e-bikes in Queenstown, Arrowtown, and beyond.

Around the Basin. Based in Queenstown's CBD, they offer e-bikes, guided tours, and transport to points along the Queenstown Trail as well as scheduled pick-up services.
Going Blue. Rent e-bikes with repair kits, maps, helmets, and support. Going Blue can deliver to your door, and online tutorials show you how to operate your e-bike.
Arrowtown Bike Hire. Specialists in multi-day hire for tours around and beyond the Queenstown region. Hire an e-bike from half a day up to 28 days.
Better by Bike. Book an e-bike tour from Queenstown into Gibbston’s valley of vines or explore the trails around Arrowtown and be collected by a shuttle at the end of your ride.
The Gibbston Valley Bike Centre. Pick up an e-bike in the heart of wine country within easy riding distance of wineries, gorges, and historic bridges on the Arrow River trail. E-bikes for riders aged five and over, with return transport on the Gibbston Valley Shuttle.
Alta. Locations in Frankton and Queenstown, a range of E-bikes to jump on and explore the Frankton area of the Queenstown Trail with half day and full day options available.

Around The Basin E-Bike Self Guided Tour

1

2

(1) Around The Basin, (2) Better By Bike

E-biking tours in and around Queenstown

Guided e-bike wine tour

Get picked up from your hotel and enjoy a guided tour of the Gibbston wine region on an e-bike with one of Queenstown's fantastic e-bike operators. You’ll start in Arrowtown, where your local guide takes you along the Arrow River and into the stunning scenery of Gibbston.

There are a range of different cellar doors, wineries and restaurants to stop at along the way. Taste wine grown on the first commercial vines in Central Otago at Gibbston Valley Winery. Further up the valley, enjoy a wine tasting at Kinross. Here you can taste six boutique Gibbston wines: Domaine Thompson, Coal Pit, Valli, Hawkshead, Wild Irishman and Kinross’s own label.

Heli-e-bike into Queenstown high country stations

For more far-flung adventures, look no further than a heli e-biking adventure in Queenstown's backcountry. Long the domain of extreme downhill mountain bikers, heli-biking now provides a slightly more sedate but no less epic experience. Fly in style into a remote high-country farm and explore forest-clad trails, high ridges and rugged farm tracks for a day with an experienced a knowledgeable guide.

Local operators like Heli Bike NZ, Southern Lakes Heli Bike and Over the Top Helicopters provide heli-biking excursions and would be more than happy to assist with your heli-biking requirements.

Group of bikers riding down Crown Peak overlooking view of mountains and town — Heli-biking down Crown Peak

Planning your e-bike adventure

E-bikes make riding the bike trails around Queenstown even more accessible. Here are a few tips to make your e-bike adventure even more enjoyable.

Wear appropriate closed footwear.
Wear or pack appropriate wind-resistant clothing as weather conditions can change unexpectedly.
Hire a helmet too—they’re a requirement on New Zealand’s roads.
Bear in mind the road rules of New Zealand.
Pack snacks and bring extra water, especially if you plan on being out all day.

We’ve noticed that the fun of e-biking brings out the inner child in everyone, and people come back grinning from ear to ear. Enjoy your Queenstown e-biking experience.

E-biking offers a unique blend of exercise and exploration, allowing riders to cover more ground and experience Queenstown's diverse landscapes. Whether you're a seasoned cyclist or a casual rider, an e-bike adventure promises an unforgettable way to discover the region's natural beauty.

Best Trails for e-bikes in Queenstown