Queenstown Trail


The Queenstown Trail is a cycle and walking trail funded as one of the projects of the New Zealand Cycle Trail system in Otago, New Zealand. It links the towns of Queenstown, Arrowtown, the suburb of Jack's Point and the area of Gibbston. It is at least 130 km in length but is not linear and instead follows the terrain often near rivers and lakes to link key places in a series of tracks that also access public land. In some places it also passes through private land such as working farms and users are encouraged to stay on the trail.
The trail is a joint venture between the Government, Queenstown Lakes District Council and the Queenstown Trails Trust.

Routes

Popular routes are listed below and can be started and finished in either direction:

Frankton Track & Kelvin Peninsula Trail

Jack's Point Trail

Countryside Trail

Lake Hayes Trail

Twin Rivers Trail

Arrow River Bridges Trail

Gibbston River Trail

A route that passes along the Kawarau River around many vineyards in the Gibbston Valley. Carparks are available at each end of the track. There are also several loops in the track allowing for a varied or shorter route. This track was managed by Department of Conservation track until its upgrade in 2014 making it bike friendly and becoming officially part of the Queenstown Trail.

Shotover Gorge Trail

This trail is 5.5 km one way from Arthurs Point to Tucker Beach and was opened in 2025. It can also be accessed by the Littles Road carpark. It follows the Shotover River and has many switch backs near the Hugo Tunnel which is a highlight along with the long Kimi-ākau bridge.

History

Originally the name for the network of trails in the region was the Wakatipu Trails before being renamed The Queenstown Trail.
Signage on the trail simply calls it Queenstown Trail.
The Wakatipu Trails Trust was set up in 2002 after a meeting between Duncan Field of QLDC and Chris Eden the DOC Wakatipu Area Manager at the time to assess the interest in created a network of recreational trails. In 2004 the Wakatipu Trails strategy was developed which helped to guide the development of the trails.
The main routes of the Queenstown Trail now link up with many smaller tracks not part of the official trail many of which existed before its 2012 opening.

Opening

The trail was opened on 18 October 2012 although many parts of the trail had already been constructed and were in regular use by the public before this date. It was officially opened by the Prime Minister John Key and cyclist Sarah Ulmer near Arrowtown.
It had taken 3 years and more than 100 contractors costing $5.4 million to build.

Hazards

Several places of the trail have drop offs sometimes near rivers, occasionally bad weather can cause slips to occur which can temporarily close parts of the track. Although nearly the entire track is off-road a small number of sections cross either roads or driveways. There is also the potential for collisions between different users since they are travelling at different speeds and directions and there are quite a few blind corners.

Structures

As part of the Queenstown Trail there are three existing bridges and six new structures. The bridges and tunnel built specifically for the Queenstown Trail were named after families that made significant donations towards the project.

Pre-existing structures

  • Lower Shotover Bridge: This is a restored historic bridge that used to be used for traffic but is now used by cyclists and pedestrians.
  • Kawarau Falls Bridge: Originally this old bridge had space for pedestrians on one side and an alternating one way section for traffic. In 2018 a traffic bridge was built nearby and the Kawarau Falls Bridge became a pedestrian only bridge.
  • Kawarau Gorge Suspension Bridge: This is the bridge used by the AJ Hackett Bungy Company.

    Structures built for the Trail

In order to transverse sections of the trail that crossed rivers or roads these structures were built for trail users and funded by supporters:
  • The Edgar Bridge: This is an 80 metre suspension bridge over the Arrow Gorge and named after Sir Eion and Lady Edgar.
  • The Barfoot Tunnel: The Barfoot Tunnel, under State Highway 6, was made possible by a donation from Garth and Judy Barfoot, of Auckland.
  • The Knights Family Bridge: Named after the family that made a donation for the under bridge that goes beneath State Highway 6.
  • The Southern Discoveries Bridge: A second suspension bridge that goes over the Arrow River near to where the opening ceremony was held.
  • The Swain Bridge: The Swain Bridge is to be found on the Arrowtown Millennium Trail. Named after Ken Swain a Queenstown Trails Trust trustee.
  • Billie’s Bridge: This is a mini bridge that runs over Hayes Creek and is named after a member of the Sargood family.