You’ve rounded up your mates, everyone’s on board and you’ve finally got THE mountain bike trip planned to Queenstown. With an unrivaled diversity of terrain and trails, this New Zealand gem caters to every riding style imaginable.
From adrenaline-pumping downhill runs to serene forest singletracks, Queenstown's mountain bike scene has it all. Shred the world-famous bike parks, cruise along scenic cross-country routes, or test your skills on technical enduro trails. Whether you're into flowy jump lines or steep, white-knuckle descents, there's a perfect trail waiting for you.
But the adventure doesn't end when you hop off your bike. Queenstown's legendary après-bike scene is the perfect way to cap off an epic day of riding.
Coffee and eats
Queenstown has a host of great coffee and lunch stops. A few paces down from the Skyline Gondola is Bespoke Kitchen. As well as hot drinks, Bespoke offers a varied and exciting menu that accommodates all tastes and preferences from the early morning, ideal to fuel up after a few lift-assisted runs at Queenstown Bike Park.
Bespoke Kitchen
Dinner fix
You’ve been riding all day, maybe on a big day at Wynyard relentlessly lapping McNearly Gnarly, or knocking out runs at Queenstown Bike Park. It's time to knock back a cold one and grab a bite to eat.
Atlas Beer Cafe is a very popular après bike bar with the locals. With generous bike rack storage and outdoor seating, it’s a great spot for for food and a drink whilst talking over the days musings. Atlas is also an active contributor to the local MTB scene, each year hosting their ‘Season of Shred’ fundraiser, raising money for the Queenstown Mountain Bike Club and giving back to the community. Make sure you drop by on your visit, the Atlas steak is an institution, their craft beer line-up is ever changing and derived from the best local breweries.
Atlas Beer Cafè
Drink
Developing a taste for the local craft beer, a worthwhile trip would be a visit to ‘New Zealands raddest little brewery’ Altitude Brewing. A short bike ride out of town along the Frankton Track you’ll be greeted by another mountain bike-friendly watering hole. Offering indoor and outdoor seating along with ample bike storage donated by local bike shop Vertigo Bikes, Altitude is a great spot for an evening out with good company.
Bikers will find another great selection of locally brewed beers at Cargo at Gantleys, conveniently located at the base of Coronet Peak. Grab a beanbag and chill out in the sun in their spacious garden bar after hitting it hard on Coronet Peak's lift-accessed trails.
Altitude Brewing
Kick-on
It’s later on in the evening, and those local craft beers have gone down well, stories of the days' epic saves and conquered trails have been elaborated and repeated on, a night out is justified to celebrate your survival and prepare for more of the same. Any Queenstown local would point you in the direction of World Bar and it’s collaborative next door neighbour Yonder for a good night out. Open till the early hours, both are a staple in the mountain bike scene here. World Bar and Yonder hosts a wide and varied collection of events and entertainment on a regular basis, as well as being a popular pull for it’s night life, both locations offer a generous food and drink menu daily.
World Bar
Stay
Local accommodation providers are well-versed in catering to mountain bikers. You’ll find many central town accommodation offer secure, on-site bicycle storage; it’s a popular request. Some even provide bike hire such as Pinewood Lodge, The Hilton and Sofitel, while others provide useful amenities such as a bike workshop, which you'll find at Sherwood, ideal for those who need to tinker with their bikes before or after a ride.
If you choose to stay further out of town toward Frankton you can make use of Queenstown’s Trail network, a series of linked gravel tracks connecting the area, to get around. Notably, the Frankton Track, an easy 7km lakeside trail, is a great way to get into town.
Queenstown Bike Park
Insider's tip
Testament to the areas great apres scene is the local MTB club’s membership deals. A top tip for anyone coming to town would be to download the Queenstown Mountain Bike Club (QMTBC) app and join the club for deals on food and beer as well as exclusive offers for bike and body repair, everything from physio to discounted workshop labour and bargain tyres, QMTBC has you covered and once more, it's a great way to give back to the community who have built these trails and are constantly improving them.
Chill with the locals
Queenstown's mountain biking scene isn't just about the trails—it's about the people. Over the past couple of decades, as this adventure sports mecca has flourished, so too has its vibrant MTB community. Spot the telltale signs of these two-wheeled enthusiasts around town: knee pads casually dangling, helmets perched precariously on handlebars, or settled into their favorite spots at local watering holes, cold drinks in hand.
Behind that post-ride glow lies a wealth of local knowledge and infectious enthusiasm. Queenstown's biking community is renowned for its warmth and camaraderie. Strike up a conversation, and you'll likely walk away with insider tips on hidden trails, the best spots for a post-ride bite, or even an invitation to join a group ride. These passionate locals are the beating heart of Queenstown's bike scene, always eager to share their love for the sport and their stunning backyard playground.
Drinks at the Fork & Tap, Arrowtown