1. Short bike trips to multi-day journeys - the choice is yours

Whether you’re a cycling enthusiast prepared to pack your saddlebags for a multi-day trip, or keen to hit the trails for just an hour or two, Queenstown has you covered.

The alpine town is a gateway to six of the country’s best multi-day rides including the Queenstown Trail, Around The Mountains Cycle Trail, Otago Central Rail Trail, Roxburgh Gorge Trail, Clutha Gold Trail and new Lake Dunstan Trail.

The 186km Around the Mountains trail starts at either Kingston or Walter Peak and can be conquered at a relaxed pace in 3-5 days. One of New Zealand’s Great Rides, the trail travels into historic Southland villages, alongside rivers and pristine lakes, and through rural farmland complete with curious livestock.

The Queenstown Trail is made up of over 150kms of scenic biking trails throughout the region. This is the country’s most popular Great Ride and can be done over multiple days or dipped into at several points around town if you're looking to do a handful of short rides. Take in stunning lake and river views, panoramic mountain vistas, pedal alongside wineries and explore historic sites.

Arrow River Bridges Trail

2. We’ve got your gear sorted

Queenstown takes care of all your cycling needs, ensuring a hassle-free biking experience. Whether you prefer to bring your own gear or travel light, the local businesses have you covered. Bike shops offer everything from sales to rentals, including bikes and helmets tailored to your adventure.

Planning a self-guided journey? No problem. Many companies can arrange transportation to your chosen trail, allowing you to focus on the ride ahead. For those seeking local insight, knowledgeable bike tour guides are readily available to enhance your experience.

The Whakatipu basin is home to numerous bike rental companies that go the extra mile. They offer comprehensive packages including bikes, helmets, trail transport, and expert guides. This means you can conserve your energy for what really matters – enjoying the breathtaking rides and scenery.

And when your day's riding is done, Queenstown doesn't disappoint. The area boasts an abundance of amazing accommodation options and a vibrant food and drink scene, perfect for relaxing and refueling after your two-wheeled adventures.

Bike hire

3. Our trails are easy to access

You don’t have to go far to find a bike trail in Queenstown. The vast Queenstown Trail network extends from downtown through Arthur’s Point to Arrowtown, out to Gibbston, around Lake Hayes and through the suburbs of Lake Hayes Estate, Shotover Country, Kelvin Heights and Jack’s Point.

This means that even if your accommodation isn’t in the centre of town, you can hop on the trail and see as much of the Whakatipu basin as you wish! Many sections of the trail pass by bike-friendly cafés and pubs for well-earned pit stops, and all of them feature scenery you won’t see from the street.

Biking around Lake Hayes

4. Tour de wineries

What better way to get around Queenstown’s wineries than on a bike?

Gibbston is home to many great, award-winning vineyards and wineries and the area is geared up for cycle tours, with eight wineries scattered over an undulating 9km bike trail that traverses stunning mountain and river views.

Cycle it one way and get picked up at the other end by a trail transport company, or make a night of it and stay among the vines at Kinross, historic Warbrick Cottage, or the luxurious Gibbston Valley Lodge and Spa.

Biking in Gibbston

5. Queenstown’s climate is perfect for cycling

You can generally rely on the accuracy of Queenstown’s weather forecast. Once you have a sunny spell in sight, it’s usually here to stay, which makes for good cycling weather.

Queenstown also has clear cut seasons, which can make the same cycling journey feel like a different trip depending on what time of year you go. Take the trails around Arrowtown in autumn and you will be greeted with a spectacle of golden colours as the leaves change. Take the same trail in spring or early summer and experience the brighter shades of the wildflowers that line the riverbanks, blue skies and gorgeous sunny days.

Biking along Queenstown lakefront

6. You don’t have to be an experienced cyclist

No matter whether you’re a seasoned cyclist, bike-packing adventurer, or you’re hopping on a bike for the first time in a few years, the Queenstown Trail network offers a range of scenic off-road trails of varying lengths, duration and difficulty – so there’s something for everyone to explore.

Many of Queenstown’s bike tour companies also provide you with a guide, removing any concerns about getting lost or coming into technical issues with your bike. A guide will also deepen your experience of the trails by sharing their knowledge of the unique history of the places you are journeying through, as well as interesting spots to stop. You can also arrange for a pick-up mid-trail if your legs just aren’t cooperating! 

Bike tour with Ride to the Sky

7. Queenstown masters the art of après bike

After a day of pedalling through stunning landscapes, Queenstown's vibrant après-bike scene ensures your off-bike experience is just as memorable as your time on two wheels.

As the sun sets, the town's diverse culinary landscape comes alive. From quiet, romantic dinners to lively pubs perfect for sharing stories over craft beers, Queenstown's year-round buzzing restaurant and bar scene caters to every taste and mood.

But the pampering doesn't stop at your taste buds. Queenstown understands that after a long ride, your body might need some extra TLC. Immerse yourself in the Onsen Hot Pools Retreat and Day Spa, where warm waters and panoramic views of the Shotover River await. Or indulge in a luxurious treatment at The Spa at Nugget Point. For a quick tune-up, numerous local day spas offer expert massages to work out any lingering tension.

This holistic approach to recovery ensures that when morning comes, you're refreshed, rejuvenated, and ready to saddle up for another day of exploring Queenstown's magnificent trails.

World Bar

8. Join Queenstown’s journey towards regenerative tourism

Queenstown is on a journey to become a regenerative tourism destination. That means we’re working to restore our environment, invest in the local community, and become a carbon zero destination by 2030.

There are three main ways you can help us with our mission, including being mindful of your own impact as you visit and volunteering while you’re here. Another way is to support Love Queenstown, an organisation established to help look after this special place by raising funds and awareness for local environmental action and biodiversity.

Planting natives