Arrow River Bridges Trail

13.7 km one way 

Grade 2 - Easy

Start in Arrowtown (Kā-Muriwai), a charming gold-mining town that is steeped in history.  Enjoy a pre-ride coffee, breakfast or snack at one of the excellent cafes in Arrowtown.  The Lakes District Museum, Historic Arrowtown and the Arrowtown Chinese Settlement  are fascinating and well worth exploring to learn more about the history and culture of the region.

The Arrow River Bridges Trail begins near the Arrowtown Chinese Settlement and Butlers Green. The trail is signposted, and sets off following the river down stream on the true right, before crossing at Tobin's Bridge and continuing on the left.  The willow-lined Arrow River has many moods: sometimes tranquil, often rushing over rocks and bluffs, then widening to limpid pools. There are great swimming and picnic spots to enjoy during summer.  In winter the Arrow River Bridges Trail is often transformed into a frozen winter wonderland - be sure to wrap up very warmly if you are exploring in the cooler months.

The bush lined trail opens out to stunning views of the surrounding mountain ranges before crossing the Swain Bridge.

One of the most popular photo stops is midway across the awe-inspiring Southern Discoveries suspension bridge. A destination in itself and what a view! Across the bridge, you’ll ride past historic cottages and grazing horses down Whitechapel country lane – a landscape painting straight out of a picture book. Stop at the Knights Family Under-bridge and take in spectacular downstream view of where the Arrow River drops into the gorge.

The Arrow River Bridges Trail shares Arrow Junction Road for a kilometer before the gravel trail continues.  Be sure to share the road with care.  Just past the Morven Ferry Road intersection, the Twin Rivers Trail branches off, heading back towards Frankton along side the Kawarau River.

Yet another impressive feat of engineering, the graceful 80-metre Edgar Suspension Bridge spans the Arrow Gorge. Once you've crossed the Edgar Bridge, be sure to stop at the Wall of Recognition and offer up a 'thanks' to the landowners and Queenstown community who had the vision to help make the Queenstown Trail a reality.

The Barfoot Tunnel allows safe passage beneath the state highway - and on the other side of the road, the trail follows an original goldminers’ route.

Breathe in the thyme-scented mountain air as you make your way over the historic Kawarau Suspension Bridge, home to the world’s first commercial bungy jumping operation. The AJ Hackett Bungy Centre is a stunning piece of architecture, well worth a visit – and has a good café, toilets and of course tickets for that bungy jump you've been promising yourself. On the Bungy viewing deck there are many informative panels about the history of the area.

The Gibbston River Trail begins on the far side of the carpark at the Kawarau Bungy Centre.

The Arrow River Bridges Trail is a Grade 2: Easy trail.  The trail section between Arrowtown and Arrow Junction, that travels beside the Arrow River, is the easiest section, but is also the busiest.

Arrow Junction to the Kawarau Bungy Bridge includes a section that shares Arrow Junction Road. After the intersection with the Twin Rivers Trail, the Arrow River Bridges Trail includes some longer climbs and narrower sections.

• Trail Width:
  Generally >2m, some narrower sections of trail between Barfoot Tunnel and Kawarau Suspension Bridge
• Narrow Bridges: 
  Tobin's Foot Bridge, Southern Discoveries Bridge, Edgar Bridge
• Steep Sections:
  - Approaches to Barfoot Tunnel.
  - Short section of trail near Twin Rivers Trail junction where the Arrow River Bridges Trail descends back towards the terrace above the Arrow River.
  - Short section of steeper corners above the Knights Family Bridge