🍇 Why Ride Arrow River into Gibbston?
No guides needed: Go at your own pace. It’s well signposted—just follow the river downstream. No one has got lost in over two years on this tour.
🗺️ Start in Arrowtown – Don’t Rush This Part
Arrowtown isn’t just a launchpad—it’s half the experience. Plan to spend at least 30–60 mins exploring before your ride:
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- The Arrow River Chinese Settlement: Tiny historic huts tucked in the trees—hauntingly beautiful.
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- Arrowtown Bakery: Does the best value breakfast sandwich in the country!
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- Arrowtown Museum: $10 to look at what the olden days were like.
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- Gold Panning: Think you’re going to get lucky? Rent some panning gear for $10.
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- Wall-to-wall boutique charm: Walk Buckingham Street, grab a bite, or shop for Merino gear, local art, or old-school sweets.
☕ Fuel Up Like a Local
No wine tour should start hungry. Here’s where locals really go:
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- The Arrowtown Bakery – Budget-friendly pies and pastries. Get the breakfast sandwich (bacon, egg, hashbrown, and sausage) for $10. It’s massive! Not sure how they keep the price so cheap.
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- Wolf Coffee (High Street) – The best coffee in Queenstown. Multiple awards. Seal of approval from Melbourne friends.
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- Provisions of Arrowtown – Healthy brunch and homemade cakes in a leafy garden setting. Vegan and veggie options.
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- The Dishery – Classy but casual. Great eggs benedict, salmon rösti, and shaded outdoor dining next to the river.
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- Ferg’s Arrowtown (by the industrial zone) – The butcher-turned-sandwich spot. Go for the sausage sanga—next level. $18.50 and not as big as AB Bakery’s, but the sausage is better quality.
🚴♂️ Trail Highlights: From Arrowtown to the Vines
The Queenstown Trail is pure magic. Here’s what not to miss as you ride:
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- Follow the river downstream: Just out of Arrowtown, you’ll follow the river under a dense green canopy—birdsong and peace.
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- Edgar Suspension Bridge: 80m long and not for the faint-hearted. Epic views over the Arrow River.
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- Southern Discoveries Bridge: A towering wooden marvel—get a photo mid-span with the Remarkables behind.
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- Kawarau Bungy Centre: Park up, grab a coffee or gelato, and watch the madness unfold. World’s first commercial bungy site. Takes about an hour on an eBike from Arrowtown if you want to book a jump.
🍷 Into the Gibbston Wine Region – The Fun Begins
You're now in wine country. Ten minutes after the Bungy Bridge you’ll see Gibbston Valley. There’s a 20–25 min cycle around the river until you reach the Peregrine loop. At the junction, all paths lead to the wineries, but take the right trailto the main road if you want to get to Rockburn and Gibbston Tavern next.
The trail runs parallel to the road and from here it’s all flat to the end—unless you want to head up Coal Pit Road to Mt Rosa, which I’d recommend. It's probably the best winery in the country. It’s a 10-min gentle hill up. Brennan Wines is also fantastic and, in second place, I’d say Kinross.
🍇 Winery Tips
1. Mt Rosa Wines
Rustic-modern vibes. Often a fire going in cooler months.
Famous Rosé, Pinot Noir, and down-to-earth chat.
Epic views and friendly dogs.
2. Gibbston Valley Winery
Largest wine cave in New Zealand—worth doing the cave tour.
Solid cheese platters and bistro meals.
Right by the Bungy Bridge—easy detour.
3. Kinross
Home to five boutique, award-winning wine labels.
Pizzas are epic! Music, picnic tables, and often live acoustic sets.
Great spot to linger longer.
4 & 5. Gibbston Tavern and Rockburn
Share the same garden. Pizzas at the Tavern are awesome, and if you’ve been dragged along and don’t like wine, they’ve got great beer.
Kill two birds with one stone—grab a wine from Brennan and a beer from the Tavern, and you're sorted.
6. The Church
Games area: volleyball, cricket, beach volleyball, slip’n’slide, football, rugby, and croquet. It’s got all the games.
Great for kids—not so great in the rain.
Natural wines and craft beers.
Quirky, chill, and very Kiwi.
7. Brennan Wines
Award-winning wines, deep bean bags, and no pretence.
A favourite with locals who know their Pinot.
🧀 Local Pairing Tip
Swing into the Gibbston Valley Cheese Shop for a quick tasting. Try the cumin gouda or the blue vein.
📸 Photo Spots You Shouldn’t Miss
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- Edgar Bridge (mid-span shot with the river below).
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- Kawarau Bridge viewing platform (get one of someone jumping—they jump every 10 minutes in peak season).
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- Amongst the vines at Kinross or Mt Rosa (look for rows with hills behind).
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- The bend before Brennan Wines—classic NZ landscape moment.
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- The river after Gibbston Valley has plenty of views and benches to take it all in.
🕓 Logistics & Pro Tips
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- Start: 10 AM pickup from Queenstown CBD (Pig & Whistle), or meet in Arrowtown. Start at 10:30 AM for a full day.
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- Distance: 13–21 km depending on which winery you finish at. Totally manageable with pedal-assist.
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- Pickup: You’ll be collected from any winery around 4 PM (early pickup options available—just ask).
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- Duration: 10 AM–5 PM. Flexible and easygoing.
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- Gear: Helmet, map, bike, and tips all included.
🧤 Winter Note: Gloves are sold in the office and recommended after April. White trousers strongly discouraged after May.
💸 2025 Tour Pricing
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- Full-Day E-Bike Tour: $169 NZD/person
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- Pedal Bike Option: $115 NZD/person
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- Optional Tasting at Mt Rosa (2:30 PM): $25
👨👩👧👦 Who’s It For?
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- Solo riders – Clear signage, peaceful ride, and plenty of company at the wineries.
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- Couples – One of Queenstown’s best date days.
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- Groups & Events – Birthdays, weddings, or corporate wine-downs.
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- Families – Tag-alongs or trailers for the young’uns; bikes for 150 cm+.
🔥 Final Tips
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- Book ahead—these spots do fill up, especially in summer.
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- Bring a power bank, water, sunscreen, and layers.
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- Don’t overbook tastings—2–3 wineries max is plenty.
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- Everywhere does great cheese and meat platters.
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- Going Blue staff know the trail better than anyone—ask for secret spots.