Biking from Queenstown to Arrowtown: Exploring The Queenstown Trail
Last Updated: 8th November, 2023
One of my favourite day-trips from Queenstown is visiting the charming town of Arrowtown! This beautiful and historic town is located only a short distance from Queenstown in the Otago region, and offers an unforgettable experience: biking from Queenstown to Arrowtown along the stunning Queenstown Trail. This journey offers a splendid day-trip through some of the South Island of New Zealand‘s most spectacular landscapes, combined with the thrill of cycling along a number fantastic bike trails.
In this post, I cover all you need to know about the bike from Queenstown to Arrowtown, so that you can enjoy a truly memorable day out!
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The Queenstown Trail: Biking from Queenstown to Arrowtown
How long is the bike from Queenstown to Arrowtown?
The bike ride from Queenstown to Arrowtown is 33km one way, following the Twin Rivers Track along the Kawarau River.
How long does it take to complete the Queenstown to Arrowtown section of the trail?
The time it takes to complete the trail depends on your biking speed and how often you stop to admire the scenery. On average, it takes about 2-4 hours to bike from Queenstown to Arrowtown.
What is the best time of year to bike The Queenstown Trail?
The best time to bike the Queenstown Trail is during the spring (September to November) or autumn (March to May) when the weather is mild and the landscapes are adorned with colorful foliage.
Do I need to bring my own bike, or can I rent one locally?
You have the option to bring your own bike or rent one locally. Several bike rental shops in Queenstown offer a range of bikes to suit your preferences, including mountain bikes and e-bikes.
Is the trail suitable for all skill levels?
Yes, the bike from Queenstown to Arrowtown is suitable for cyclists of all skill levels, from beginners to experienced riders. The trail is well-maintained and features both on-road and off-road sections.
Is the bike from Queenstown to Arrowtown family-friendly?
Yes, the Queenstown Trail is family-friendly, and you can bring your children. Make sure they are comfortable with the distance and terrain, and consider using child seats or trailers if needed.
Bike Trail Stats
- Trail Length: ~33 km one way
- Biking Time: 2.5 – 3 hours hours one way
- Trail Difficulty: An easy bike ride along a well-maintained trail, with a few small hills!
Biking from Queenstown to Arrowtown: Route Map
Trail Highlights
- Beginning in the Queenstown Gardens
- Queenstown Trail along Lake Wakitipu
- Kawarau Falls Historic Dam
- Kawarau Falls Scenic Reserve
- Crossing the Shotover River at the Shotover Bridge
- Cycling the Twin Rivers Trail along the Kawarau River
- Thompson’s Hill Lookout
- Arrow River Bridge’s Trail
- Arrowtown!
- Lake Hayes
The Ultimate Guide to Biking from Queenstown to Arrowtown!
Queenstown Gardens to Kawarau Falls Historic Bridge
- Section Distance: 7.35 km
- Biking Time: 30 minutes
- Elevation: 30 meters
- Trail Difficulty: An easy bike along a relatively flat and well-maintained trail
This amazing bike from Queenstown to Arrowtown begins in the immaculate Queenstown Gardens, right next to the iconic waterfront. From here, the bike follows the Frankton Track along the waterfront of Lake Wakitipu until it reaches Frankton Beach. This is a lovely place to stop and have a rest under the willow trees, before continuing on your journey! Once you reach the beach, follow the signs through the park towards the historic Kawarau Falls Bridge, where you can watch the crystal clear waters of Lake Wakitipu as it flows into the stunning Kawarau River.
This track is a lovely little bike ride from Queenstown, and a great option to do with kids or if you only have a couple of hours. The trail is wide and relatively flat, allowing you just to enjoy the ride and soak up the views over the lake and surrounding mountains as you go! Places of Interest
Kawarau Falls Historic Bridge to Old Lower Shotover Bridge
- Section Distance: 6.7 km
- Biking Time: 30 minutes
- Elevation: 40 meters
- Trail Difficulty: An easy bike along a relatively flat and well-maintained trail
Once you reach the Kawarau Falls Historic Bridge, the trail crosses under the bridge to connects with the Twin Rivers Trail – another section of the Queenstown Trail network. This stunning section of trail hugs two of Queenstown’s most iconic and picturesque rivers – the Shotover and the Kawarau, and takes you through some truly spectacular landscapes!
The trail travels through the peaceful Kawarau Falls Scenic Reserve, following the willow-lined banks of the Kawarau River towards the Shotover Delta. This section of the trail is wide and flat, and nicely shaded by the trees along the path! As you reach the Delta, you can see where the famous Shotover River joins the Kawarau River from the north. The trail curves to follow the Shotover River, past a slightly less scenic industrial park, until you reach the Old Lower Shotover Bridge.
Old Lower Shotover Bridge to the Arrow River Bridges Trail
- Section Distance: 11.8 km
- Biking Time: 1 hour
- Elevation: 130 meters
- Trail Difficulty: An easy bike along a relatively flat and well-maintained trail, with short hill-climb
The bike from Queenstown to Arrowtown then crosses the Old Lower Shotover Bridge, and follows the trail back down the banks of the Shotover River on the other side! The trail merges onto Old School Road as you pass under State Highway 6, before turning back into the smooth, gravel Twin Rivers Trail as it heads back towards the banks of the Kawarau River.
Tip: This section of the trail is more remote as it heads into the countryside – so make sure to bring plenty of water and snacks with you!
This section is absolutely gorgeous, and probably my favourite along the bike from Queenstown to Arrowtown! The path winds its way along the river, with each bend and curve in the trail offering incredible views over the sparkling Kawarau Gorge, with the magnificent mountains as backdrop. There are some beautiful swim and picnic spots along the way, so pack your togs for a quick dip in the refreshing water!
Thompson’s Hill
This trail contains one of the most challenging but most rewarding sections of the ride – the climb up to the summit of Thompson’s Hill. This is the longest and last hill of the ride, and is guaranteed to get your thighs burning! The climb is 100% worth it, however, as you are rewarded with the most spectacular views over the Kawarau River and the Remarkables Mountain range (as well as a super fun descent down the other side!)
At the base of Thompson’s Hill you will find yourself on Morven Ferry Road – a quiet, tarmac road that continues for around 1km before re-joining the formed trail. This road is not super busy, but be aware of traffic as you bike along!
Arrow River Bridge’s Trail
- Section Distance: 8 km
- Biking Time: 30 minutes
- Elevation: 70 meters
- Trail Difficulty: An easy bike along a relatively flat and well-maintained trail
Soon enough, the trail meets the Arrow River Bridges Trail, which is the last section of the bike from Queenstown to Arrowtown! This section of the trail is very scenic and relatively easy, perfect for families with kids or for those looking for a gentle ride.
The trail follows the Arrow Millennium Walkway along the banks of the Arrow River. This is a beautiful and very popular section for both walkers and cyclists, with willow trees lining the path and the river gurgling and rushing over rocks nearby. One of the highlights of this trail is crossing the Southern Discovering suspension bridge (a great photo-op!), before winding down into Arrowtown. Whoohoo – You made it!
Exploring Arrowtown
Welcome to Arrowtown! This charming, historic town is awesome to explore, and is filled with fun things to do and see. Rest your tired legs at one of the lovely cafes or restaurants along Buckingham Street, and take in some of the town’s fascinating Gold Rush history at the Arrowtown Chinese Settlement.
Getting Back to Queenstown
- If you are feeling a bit knackered and don’t want to bike all the way home, there are a number of awesome bike transport companies that will get you back to Queenstown!
- If you are feeling like you can carry on, you can either bike back the way you came, or you can make a loop and follow the Countryside Trail out of Arrowtown!
Countryside Trail to Lake Hayes Walkway
- Section Distance: 15.2 km
- Biking Time: 1 hour 10 minutes
- Elevation: 120 meters
- Trail Difficulty: An easy bike along a relatively flat and well-maintained trail, with some hills at the beginning of the section
This trail begins just opposite Dudley’s Cottage at the Arrowtown River carpark, and winds it’s way through the iconic and beautiful Millbrook Resort and Golf Club. This section follows a quiet road through the stunning resort, where you can enjoy the peaceful atmosphere and beautiful architecture!
From the Resort, the bike ride follows the Te Aroroa trail down towards Lake Hayes. Here, you can either follow the Countryside Trail back to the Old Lower Shotover Bridge, or you can turn off down Rutherford Road and connect to the stunning Lake Hayes Trail. This is one of the most scenic short loops in the Queenstown Trail network, and is very popular with both walkers and cyclists! The trail is easy and relatively flat, and offers some spectacular views over the calm, mirror-like lake.
The trail follows around the shoreline of Lake Hayes and past the Lake Hayes Pavillion, before connecting up to State Highway 6, which takes you back to the Shotover Bridge. There are different ways to get back, however we found this way was the quickest, and by this time we were pretty knackered and in need of a cold, frosty beer!
Additional Tips for Biking the Queenstown Trail
Before you start your biking adventure, it’s important to be well-prepared! Here are some things you should keep in mind:
Best Time of Year to Bike from Queenstown to Arrowtown
The best time to bike from Queenstown to Arrowtown is during the summer months (December to February) when the weather is warm and dry. However, the trail is open year-round, so you can bike it at any time of the year!
Another beautiful time to bike from Queenstown to Arrowtown is during the quieter Autumn Months (March – May). Arrowtown is especially beautiful then, with the trees turning the city into a riot of oranges and yellows!
A Checklist for Biking from Queenstown to Arrowtown
What to Wear!
- Dress in layers so you can adjust your clothing as the temperature changes, with a t-shirt and a long sleeve top
- Padded Shorts to protect your bottom!
- A Helmet
- Comfortable Trainers
- Carry a backpack with a rainjacket – New Zealand weather can change fast!
Facilities along the Bike from Queenstown to Arrowtown
Here is a map of all the facilities on the bike from Queenstown to Arrowtown! The facilities include public toilets, drinking water fountains, e-bike battery charging points, as well as the best places to eat and drink along the way!
Where to Hire Bikes in Queenstown
If you don’t have your own bike, there are several places in Queenstown and Frankton where you can rent one! We hired e-bikes from Better By Bike, and they were fantastic! The bikes were super comfortable, easy to ride, and had a good amount of charge. They also had battery-charging stations dotted around the Queenstown Trails (including some in Arrowtown) so we didn’t have to worry about running out of power and getting stuck!
Location: 79 Peninsula Road, Kelvin Heights, Queenstown (By the Hilton Jetty near the Kawarau Bridge)
Some other bike rental shops in Queenstown include:
Thank you for reading my post on the Bike from Queenstown to Arrowtown! It was probably one of my all-time favourite day trips from Queenstown, and the best way to explore the incredible landscape around the stunning Wakitipu Basin. I hope this helps you plan an awesome biking day-out!
If you liked this post and are interested in seeing more – let me know in the comments! I love to hear back about peoples fantastic adventures around New Zealand!
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