Exploring The Queenstown Trail - The Perfect Ebike Itinerary
With so much to see and do on a visit to Queenstown it’s hard to know where to start when it comes to planning the perfect get away. From bungy jumping and sky diving to bustling local café’s, ski slopes and roof top bars, Queenstown is the South Island’s answer to a good time, but how do you make the most of your time in this little slice of paradise?
….trust the locals. We’ve got you covered!
When it comes to sampling all that Queenstown has to offer one of the very best ways to explore the area is by bike…and better yet, e-bike! With an extensive network of exceptionally well-maintained trails, not to mention world class mountain biking, Queenstown is the perfect place to explore by bike. But you don’t have to be a hard-core rider to have a great time on two wheels. Here at Whizzy we specialise in making sure your Queenstown e-bike experience is one to remember whether you’ve never ridden an e-bike before or you’re a seasoned pro.
Here we’ve put together what we reckon is the best one-day e-bike itinerary for exploring Queenstown, so sit back, relax, and read on.
*For the purposes of this article we’ll assume you’re starting your e-bike adventure in central Queenstown
Start Your Queenstown Ebike Adventure Off Right!
A great day starts with a great plan, and thanks to some good preparation you’ve already booked your e-bikes and have even arranged a handy shuttle drop-off. No waiting in line at the bike store for you! Win.
Now onto the important stuff.
If you’re anything like us, it’s not a “Good Morning!” until you’ve had at least one coffee and luckily Queenstown is blessed with an abundance of incredible local cafes. No matter which side of town you’re on there’s bound to be a great café nearby but for a couple of our personal favorites we suggest heading into central Queenstown. Head on down, grab a coffee at Vudu Café, and enjoy a little stroll along the lake front to start your day.
After an adequate amount of caffeine and having met the team to collect your bikes it’s time to get some breakfast!
Riding The Queenstown Trail
From central Queenstown, mount your e-bike and make your way through the scenic Queenstown gardens to join the Frankton Track. An exceptionally well-maintained gravel track that connects to the wider Queenstown Trail, the Frankton track will take you gently along the lakeside to our next destination – the Boat Shed Café.
Perfectly situated on the side of the trail and with sweeping views over the Lake Whakatipu toward the Remarkables, the Boat Shed has not only got some of the best views in town but boasts an exceptional menu of foodie delights. So grab yourself a table and get stuck in to some of Queenstown’s best brunch goods! You can’t go wrong but depending on whether you’re in the mood for sweet or savoury our personal favourites are the French toast or Chorizo scramble.
Frankton to Arrowtown by Ebike
After a delicious breakfast and perhaps a little more coffee it’s time to set sail on the next step of your ultimate Queenstown e-bike experience. From the marina continue on around Frankton beach and follow the signs for Arrowtown and the Twin Rivers trail. This scenic stretch of trail will take you along the river side and over the picturesque old Shotover bridge. From here you’ll join the countryside trail heading for Arrowtown.
You’ll experience a few twists and turns and even the odd small hill, but nothing the assistance of your trusty electric bike won’t take fully in its stride. With multiple power settings to choose from you can have as much or as little assistance as you want and take things at the pace that’s right for you.
Arrowtown itself is well worth a visit, full of local boutique shops and with a rustic wild-west charm that comes with the small towns gold mining heritage. Take a break for a refreshment or a walk along the Highstreet.
Arrowtown to Gibbston Valley by Ebike
After a stretch of the legs in Arrowtown it’s time for possibly our favourite section of the day. Following the Arrow River Trail it’s now time to head to Central Otago’s iconic wine country for a drop or two of New Zealand’s finest.
The trail follows the Arrow River out of town where it meets the mighty Kawarau. With a handful of impressive swing bridges to cross and stunning views of the surrounding mountains this section of trail is truly sublime.
If you’re feeling dangerous the trail even crosses the infamous Kawarau Bungy bridge, home of AJ Hackett Bungy and birthplace of Bungy jumping. Whether you’re planning to have a go yourself or simply happy to watch it all take place it’s a great spot for a bit of people watching. The bungy building itself is an impressive architectural structure and marks the entrance to Central Otago’s spectacular wine country.
Gibbston Valley Wine Trail by Ebike
Now world renowned for its exceptional produce, Central Otago and the Gibbston region is home to several of New Zealand’s best wine producers including Chard Farm, Kinross, Peregrine and of course Gibbston Valley itself – all of which are easily accessible via the purpose-built Queenstown trail.
It’s the perfect way to spend a sunny afternoon and what better way to explore the region than by ebike. With such easy access directly from the cycle trail it’s not hard to see why this is one of the most popular activities in Queenstown. Take your time and enjoy all the wonderful area has to offer as you make your way slowly down the valley, zigzagging from vineyard to vineyard. It’s also a great place to grab a late lunch to keep you fuelled for your epic ebike journey.
Convenient Shuttle Drop-off
As you make your way along the Gibbtson Valley trail the final spot we highly recommend a visit is the quaint and beautiful Mt Rosa. With a delightful garden and sensational views overlooking the valley it’s the perfect spot for a final hurrah before making your way back to Queenstown.
By this point in the day even the keenest of cyclist could be forgiven for dreading the thought of pedaling all the way back to Queenstown, but for the savvy explorer that books with Whizzy it’s no concern at all. Our convenient pick-up and drop-off shuttle service is here to make your Queenstown adventure easy so sit back, relax and enjoy the ride back to Queenstown – by this point you’ve earned it!
