Queenstown to Arrowtown: Bike & Wine Tour with Shuttle

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Free cancellationExcellent quality

1/9

Duration7h

GroupUp to 20

Mobile ticketAccepted

Cycle Arrowtown’s riverside trails to Gibbston wineries with e-bike upgrade

You’ll ride easy trails from Arrowtown into the heart of Central Otago wine country, stopping at cellar doors like Rockburn and Kinross for tastings or lunch. With a local guide sharing stories and a return shuttle included, this bike & wine tour lets you soak up riverside scenery and vineyard warmth at your own pace. There’s something quietly joyful about ending your day among vines as the sun drops behind those hills.

Step-by-step itinerary

Bike and wine tour from Arrowtown

Shuttle from Queenstown to Arrowtown
Guide shares gold-rush history
Bike and safety orientation
Cycle along rivers and alpine scenery
Visit Gibbston Valley wine cave
Wine tasting at Rockburn
Wine tasting and platters at Kinross
Wine tasting by fire at Mount Rosa
Pick-up from wineries at 4:00 pm
Return to Queenstown by 5:00 pm

The Experience

I nearly wiped out before we even left Arrowtown — not from the bike, but because I tried to pronounce “Gibbston” the Kiwi way and our guide, Dan, just grinned. He handed me a helmet and started in on this story about gold miners who used to camp right where we stood. The air smelled like damp pine needles, and my hands felt a bit jittery on the handlebars (first time on an e-bike for me). But once we got rolling, following the river’s edge, it was all smooth gravel and that hush you only get when you’re out of town. Every so often you’d hear a magpie or see someone fly-fishing in waders — not sure how they stand that cold water.

The trail from Arrowtown to Gibbston is mostly flat — honestly, I was relieved. Dan kept pointing out old stone bridges and explained how the valley became packed with vineyards after the gold rush dried up. We stopped at Rockburn first; their pinot noir had this earthy thing going on (I’m no expert but it tasted like autumn if that makes sense). At Kinross, there were platters stacked with cheese and bread, which I probably overdid. The sun came out just as we reached Mount Rosa — sitting by the fire there, glass in hand, I almost forgot we still had to text for our pickup later.

I didn’t expect to feel so relaxed biking between tastings — maybe it’s something about moving at your own pace or maybe just being outside all day. Our group was a funny mix: a couple from Wellington who kept racing each other (no idea who won), me trying not to drop my phone into the river taking photos, Dan telling us stories about winemakers he knew. By 4pm my legs were tired but in that good way where you know you’ve earned another glass. The shuttle back to Queenstown was quiet — everyone sort of lost in their own thoughts. I still think about that view along the Kawarau River; it’s stuck with me longer than any tasting note.

What’s included

Your day includes return shuttle transfers between Queenstown, Arrowtown, and Gibbston Valley.
premium pedal bike (with e-bike upgrade option).
helmet, map, locks and repair kit.
plus an orientation session with a local guide before setting off along riverside trails toward Central Otago’s cellar doors.

Good to know

Easy physical levelPets welcomePublic transport nearbyNot for pregnant travelersNot for back problems

Operated by Going Blue Queenstown