Queenstown has a bit of a reputation for being the adventure capital of the world - and while that's absolutely true, not every adventure has to be a white-knuckle ride. Some of the best experiences this region has to offer happen at a different pace, with kids on the back of a cargo bike, a toddler wobbling along on a balance bike, and frequent stops for snacks and to admire the ducks.

Here are the best trails to explore with little ones.

1. Queenstown Gardens Trail - 2km - Easy

If you're after a gentle introduction to riding in Queenstown, the Gardens Trail is about as good as it gets. It's short, it's flat, it's beautiful, and at the end of it there's a playground - which, let's be honest, is the most powerful motivating force known to children. Wind through the gardens, take in the lake views, and then let the kids burn off any remaining energy while you sit on a bench and breathe for a minute.

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2. Arrowtown River & Millennium Trail - 5km loop - Easy

The trails around the Arrow River are amongst the most popular sections of the Queenstown Trail. Follow the Arrow River as it rushes over rocks and around bluffs, before widening into mellow pools.  You’ll find bridges to ride over, plenty of swimming holes, the odd swing and don’t forget to grab a gold pan for hours of endless fun. Join the trail from the carpark below Ramshaw Lane, or at O'Callaghan Park.

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3. Kelvin Peninsula Sculpture Trail - 2.5km - Easy

This easy loop of 2.5kms is ideal for families. The trail takes you around the edges of the Kelvin Heights Golf Course and rewards with impressive views, hidden beach coves and a series of extraordinary art pieces. Begin the loop at the Kelvin Grove beach. Bring a picnic and enjoy lunch by the beach, Kelvin Grove is a great spot for paddling and swimming too. Learn more about the Kelvin Peninsula Sculpture Trail.

TIP: This trail is a great option on a hot day as the forest cover gives some respite from the sun. There is also a playground and toilet by the Kelvin Grove beach.

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4. Shotover Gorge Trail - 6km - Moderate

The Shotover Gorge Trail offers dramatic views and is a rewarding trail for families to enjoy between Tucker Beach and Arthurs Point. The full trail is a rewarding adventure for riding or walking, but does include some climbs and narrow trail sections - so recommended for riders with some experience. For small humans who aren't quite up to the whole adventure, we recommend shorter trips to visit the Kimi-ākau Bridge from Tucker Beach or the Hugo Tunnel from Arthurs Point.

Learn more about the Shotover Gorge Trail.

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The Kimi-ākau Bridge can be reached in 10 min on foot from the Tucker Beach Carpark at the end of Tucker Beach Road. The 90m suspension bridge spans the mouth of the lower Shotover Gorge, offering great views of the river and mountains. Wave to the jet boats as they thunder past beneath the bridge. There are some great picnic spots at Tucker Beach as well as a frisbee golf course to enjoy.

From Atley Road in Arthurs Point, the Shotover Gorge Trail heads downhill to the Hugo Tunnel. This section of the Shotover Gorge Trail is wide, smooth and with a gentle gradient. Walking to the Hugo Tunnel takes around an hour return.  The Hugo Tunnel is an incredible slice of local history and a unique trail experience, enjoy the thrill of wandering under the hill-side and emerging in the Lower Shotover Gorge.  Enjoy the sunshine at the picnic area, check out the information panel, and light up the tunnel to explore.

The Shotover Gorge Trail beyond the Hugo Tunnel is more technical with a narrower width, tight corners, some steep sections, and switchbacks.  A marvel of engineering, the skilled trail builders managed to carve access to the tunnel through very challenging terrain.  The resulting trail is spectacular with stunning views, but if you are not confident to ride, enjoy this section as a walk.  There's the option to leave your bike and take a wander to experience this beautiful piece of trail.  Stay safe and enjoy the views.

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5. Waiwhakaata Lake Hayes Loop - 8km - Intermediate

This 8km trail is an intermediate level ride, with a few climbs and steep drop offs. This trail is a short scenic circuit and on a still day the lake produces the most incredible reflections of the surrounding mountains. Travelling anticlockwise from the Rutherford Road end of the trail, there's a gradual climb to an elevated bench high above the lake where the trail meanders along the contours of the hill before dropping down to the boardwalk section at the southern end. The trail undulates past the Wakatipu Rowing Club (you'll find a public toilets here) onto Bendemeer Bay and the Lake Hayes Reserve - the perfect picnic spot and more toilets. If you'd like to take a plunge, Lake Hayes is a popular swimming spot during the summer months as it’s significantly warmer than the other lakes in the district.

Learn more about the Waiwhakaata Lake Hayes Trail.

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A few things worth knowing before you go: all of these rides can be done in full, or broken into shorter sections if you've got younger riders or wobbly legs in the group. They work equally well for family bikes, trailers, and balance bikes. Helmets and water are essential, and snacks are probably the most important piece of family cycling equipment ever invented!

The trails are well-maintained and clearly signposted, and the Queenstown Trails team works hard year-round to keep them in great condition - so all you really need to do is show up, get on your bikes, and go.

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Words & images by Geoff Marks

With region-wide options for bike hire, shuttle transfers, and a 500km+ network of well-maintained Great Rides that connect to all the must do activities and attractions, as well as a seemingly endless choice of gravel roads for bikepacking, you’ll soon realise that exploring on two wheels beats four, every time.

Read the full article here on Trail Hub.

Words by Chris Foggin, images by Geoff Marks, Will Nelson

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“It’s just like riding a bike...isn’t it”?

The E-bike revolution has been incredibly positive for the cycling industry on many levels; economic benefits for bike retailers and cycle tourism, the physical and mental health benefits for many who have taken up cycling again, or are encouraged for the first time, and of course a carbon-free transport alternative to the car.

Read the full article here on Trail Hub.

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Words & images by Geoff Marks.

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Queenstown is best explored by bike.

If you really want to explore Queenstown, then pedal power is the way to go. Cycling immerses you in the alpine landscapes in a way that a car never will and, well, avoids all that hassle trying to find a car park!

The 150km+ network of walking and cycling trails which encompass the Queenstown Trails network offer an accessible, fun, and memorable way to see one of New Zealand’s most beautiful regions with the trails encompassing all the must-do sights and activities; from bungy jumping to wine tasting.

Here’s a no-fuss, beginner-friendly guide to getting started.

Read the full article here on Trail Hub.

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There are few genuine backcountry mountain bike rides which are so accessible that you can begin the day with a brew at your favourite coffee shop and finish– suitably muddy and tired - with an icy cold, craft beer. But the Coronet Loop on the Queenstown Trails network is just such an MTB ride.

Full Circuit |50km | 1,650m vertical ascent | Time 4-8 hours

Skippers Saddle to Arrowtown “Lite” Option | 35km | 750m vertical ascent | Time 3-5 hours

Grade 3 Intermediate (with advanced sections)

Starting and finishing in Arrowtown, the full Coronet Loop is a 50km circuit with around 1,650m of vertical ascent and mostly comprised of sensational single track. It’s a big day out by anyone’s standards, and it’s a far more challenging experience than the other trackswhich comprise the Queenstown Trails Great Ride.

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Read the full article here on Trail Hub.

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Left to right: Aoibheann Monaghan (CEO & Trustee, Hugo Charitable Trust), Mark ‘Willy’ Williams (CEO, Queenstown Trails), Maryanne Green (Founder, Hugo Charitable Trust) and Mark Owens (Chair & Trustee, Hugo Charitable Trust) visiting the newly christened Hugo Tunnel ahead of the restoration works that will repurpose the historic mining tunnel as part of the Queenstown Trail.

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Tunnel Sponsor Announced

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Work is well underway for the new Shotover Gorge Trail that connects Arthurs Point to Frankton.  The new trail, that affords stunning views over the dramatic Shotover River forms the second stage of the trail expansion project that links the northern side of the Whakatipu Basin to the wider trail network.

The centrepiece of the new trail is the historic mining tunnel at Big Beach, which is being repurposed as a unique feature, through which the new trail will travel.

Queenstown Trails is absolutely thrilled to announce that the Hugo Charitable Trust have made a donation of $735,000 to cover the restoration work for the tunnel.  In recognition of this generous contribution, the restored tunnel will be officially named the Hugo Tunnel.

Hugh Green’s eldest daughter Maryanne founded the Hugo Charitable Trust in 2017 to continue Mr Greens Philanthropic legacy and to give back to the people of New Zealand.  “The Hugo Charitable Trust is delighted to sponsor the upgrade of this tunnel in the memory of our benefactor, Hugh Green.”

The Hugo Tunnel has special significance because of Hugh Greens history in the civil construction industry: After emigrating to New Zealand from Ireland, Hugh Green and Barney McCahill formed Green & McCahill Ltd, which grew to become one of the best known civil construction companies in the country.  Green & McCahill Ltd completed some of New Zealand’s most significant civil construction projects including a long list of major tunnels.

“Hugh Green would have well understood the hard work and toil that went into building this tunnel. We have walked the trail to the tunnel entrances and we were very impressed with the stunning terrain and views. The new trail and tunnel will be a fantastic asset for the community, to be enjoyed by many locals and visitors to the region.” Mark Owens, Hugo Chair and Trustee.

The 108m long historic mining tunnel is located near the mouth of the lower Shotover Gorge.  The construction of the tunnel was planned during the goldrush of the late 1800s to divert the river and allow the river bed to be mined for gold, but it was not until 1962 when the Kawarau Diversion Syndicate finally constructed the tunnel with the intention to dam the Shotover River and generate the hydro-electric energy to power a dredge at Big Beach.

The tunnel was constructed using drill and blast techniques, the evidence of which are still visible in the tunnel walls today.  The project was abandoned as the tunnel was considered too small, and located at a level that was too high to accommodate the river.

Tunnel restoration works include stabilization of the tunnel portals, removal of rock-fall material, installation of rock bolts, structural anchors and mesh and construction of the new trail surface.   Archaeologists will be involved to identify and catalogue historic artifacts throughout the works.

CEO Mark ‘Willy” Williams says that Queenstown Trails is stoked to have the support of Hugo in funding of the tunnel restoration.  “The Hugo Tunnel is set to become a must-visit locations on the trail, it will be a unique experience to ride or walk through the tunnel, and gold mining history is an integral part of how our region has developed.”  Williams added that Hugh Green’s involvement in civil engineering created excellent synergy for the partnership “Being able to restore and repurpose this unique part of our heritage has been made possible thanks to the vision and the generosity of the Hugo Trust.”

Since 2017 the Hugo Charitable Trust has donated more than $16million to charitable causes around New Zealand, and its head office is based in Arrowtown.

Works on the Hugo Tunnel are underway, and Queenstown Trails is looking forward to sharing the restored tunnel and new Shotover Gorge Trail this coming summer.

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The Queenstown Trail is one of Ngā Haerenga New Zealand Cycle Trails' 23 Great Rides. The Great Rides are a network of trails that provide a safe and sustainable way to explore some of New Zealand’s most special places.

As NZ Cycling Journal discovered, the Queenstown Trail allows you to take in the quieter – and often unseen – parts of the Southern Lakes region. Click below to read the full account of this multi-day journey that began on the shores of Lake Whakatipu and meandered from Queenstown to Gibbston, returning via historic Arrowtown, taking in the epic views of lakes, mountains, and rivers...

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Read the full article here on NZ Cycling Journal.

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The network of over 130km purpose-built walking and cycling trails that make up the Queenstown Trails are amongst the most popular of New Zealand's Ngā Haerenga Great Rides.

Beginning on the shores of Lake Whakatipu the trail network extends from Queenstown to Gibbston, returning via historic Arrowtown. With a variety of trails suitable for families, novices and experienced cyclists alike, you can ride (or walk) a short section over a few hours or take 4-days and fully immerse yourself in the landscape and scenery of this spectacular region.

With epic vistas of lakes, mountains and rivers, the Queenstown Trails are a great way to see the more peaceful side of Queenstown.

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Read the full article here on Trail Hub.

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