About This Experience

Transfer from Wanaka Bus Station at 0830 to Kinross Winery and ride the Kawarau Gorge Trail with Official Trail Partner nzbiketrails Ride New Zealand's spectacular new Kawarau Gorge Trail with nzbiketrails from our base at Kinross Winery in the heart of the Gibbston Valley, riding through to Te Kano Winery, Bannockburn. nzbiketrails will start this ride at the Kinross Winery. It is a great place to start because we genuinely love it. Like nzbiketrails, it's Qualmark Gold accredited, has an outstanding team, excellent food and wine and a relaxed atmosphere that perfectly complements a day on the bike. On your return from your ride there is no better place to relax, enjoy great food and have a celebratory drink after enjoying New Zealand's newest NZ Great Ride. The Kawarau Gorge ride will be nearly 38km in length. It is graded Grade 1-3 (Easy to Intermediate) and includes a long remote section with approximately 30km between access points. This ride is for confident riders. If you have grown up with a bike and are confident on a bike, able to use gears and remain in full control of your bike you will love this ride. We will get you comfortable on our bikes before you start. If you enjoyed the lake Dunstan Trail you will love the Kawarau Gorge. What makes the Kawarau Gorge Trail different? Even if you've already ridden the Lake Dunstan Trail or Roxburgh Gorge, the Kawarau Gorge Trail offers a completely different experience. The trail follows the dramatic Kawarau River through steep schist cliffs and remote gorge scenery. The trail surface is similar to Lake Dunstan and Roxburgh Gorge, while the impressive cliff-mounted boardwalks are generally wider than those on Lake Dunstan to accommodate maintenance vehicles. Because the gorge is deeper and narrower, you'll often experience cooler temperatures and stronger prevailing winds than on nearby trails. Mobile phone coverage is limited throughout much of the ride, and there is very little vehicle access, so we recommend riding with a friend or as part of a group rather than riding alone. Photo credits: Southern Lakes Trail Trust (2025-2026) - images captured during construction of the Kawarau Gorge Trail. nzbiketrails recommends e-bikes on all trails. Use this option to upgrade to a nzbiketrails Trek Rail 8+ Full Suspension Electric Mountain Bike. These are great bikes if you have a Full Suspension Bike at home, want to ride one on holiday or are thinking of buying a Full Suspension Bike at some point in the future and want to try one. This is one of the best full suspension trail e-bikes that you can hire on the trails. Who is this bike suitable for? Active riders taller than 155cm and are frequent riders at home, able to change gears and love riding Full Suspension bikes. For non-frequent riders nzbiketrails recommends our normal Sinch Jaunt 2.0 Trails available on another option. Make it a cycling holiday If you're thinking of creating a cycling holiday the following itinerary is a great flow in either direction. Day 1 - Best of the Queenstown Trails - Staying at Kinross Winery Day 2 - Kawarau Gorge Trail - Staying in Cromwell or Clyde (dependent on if you are riding the Roxburgh Gorge on Day 4) Day 3 - Ultimate Lake Dunstan Trail Experience, including the scenic boat return Day 4 - Roxburgh Gorge staying in Wanaka Day 5 - Wanaka & Hawea Trails with a shuttle over to Queenstown at the end of the day If you'd like us to organise your accommodation, bike hire, transport/shuttles, bag transfers and riding itinerary simply contact us at smiles@nzbiketrails.co.nz and we'll tailor a multi-day experience for you. Alternatively, you can book each ride individually and arrange the rest yourself. What's included? Your 'self-guided' experience includes: - Trek Rail 8+ Full Suspension e-bike hire - Helmet - with MIPs or equivalent - Direct phone access to your Guest Experience Manager throughout the day if assistance is required - Safety briefing - Bike lock, repair kit and pump - Return shuttles from Wanaka to complete the ride - 8-12L pannier bag (no backpack required) - Bottle cage (suitable for bottles up to 700ml) - Free 24hr cancellation Policy - also able to change the date of the ride at any point before the 24 hours at no cost (subject to availability). What to bring - Water - Sunscreen - A fully charged mobile phone

Meeting Point

100 Ardmore Street

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