New Kawarau Gorge Trail - e-bike hire and shuttle included

Guaranteed refund or ride transfer to another trail if the Kawarau Gorge opens later than expected (planned opening is currently end January 2026).

nzbiketrails will be riding this from their base at the Kinross Winery in the Gibbston Valley through to Cromwell. We love this place: Great food, a fantastic vibe, Qualmark Gold accredited and a fantastic team. Whenever our team ride this trail we love finishing up here for drinks and pizza.

The Kinross Winery is approximately 3km before the official start of the Official Kawarau Gorge ride and connected by a biking trail. If you are looking for accommodation nzbiketrails recommends booking accommodation at the Kinross Winery Cottages. Kinross cottages are something a little different, only 25 minutes from Queenstown Airport and you will be completely surrounded by nature, greenery and the magical world of wine! You can ride the 'Best of the Queenstown Trails on your first day, the new Kawarau Gorge Trail on your second day - both starting from Kinross Winery - and then do the Ultimate Dunstan Trail Experience including a boat return back up the lake on your third day. The Lake Dunstan Trail is only 20 minutes away from the Kinross Winery. You can then even add more rides to make the length of holiday you want and include the Roxburgh Gorge, Wanaka & Hawea Trails and the Best 30km of the Otago Rail Trail if you want to make it a longer biking holiday. Contact nzbiketrails on smiles@nzbiketrails.co.nz if you would like us to organise a multiple day experience including this ride, your accommodation and all of your transfers. Alternatively book the rides on consecutive days and you do the rest.

nzbiketrails recommends e-bikes for your entire party on this ride. This will be a Grade 1-3 Intermediate ride with nearly 30km of trail without any road or boat access - e-bikes will keep your group together and more experienced/regular riders will use lower levels of assistance. 

nzbiketrails Riders should be 10 years and older on this trail and confident on a bike. All children should be on e-bikes only. At nzbiketrails we used Specialized 24" Turbo Levo SL's and Sinch 26" e-bikes for smaller riders.

Booking is essential. If you require more details please message David directly on +64272028686 using mobile or WhatsApp.

Once you have arrived at the pickup point at the end of the trail in Cromwell you will have time for a celebratory drink before your Guest Experience Manager shuttles you back to Kinross Winery at a pre-arranged time.

Your experience includes e-bike hire, Safety briefing, Helmet, lock, repair kit, pump and a one-way shuttle. Your bike will have two water holders that will fit up to a 700ml sports bottle. There is also an 8L Topeak day bag that attaches to the rear rack so you will not need to carry a rucksack on your back. You will also have a direct mobile number for your Guest Experience Manager on the day if any additional support is required.

You will need to bring water, suncream and a charged mobile phone. 

For more frequent riders of the Otago Lakes District Trails this ride will be a unique experience and quite different from both the Lake Dunstan Trail and Roxburgh Gorge. The trail surface will be similar to the Dunstan Trail/Roxburgh Gorge, the 'clip-ons' will be wider than Lake Dunstan (as they will have to be used for maintenance vehicles). We would also expect it to be cooler than the other Gorges due to the prevailing wind, depth and narrowness of the Gorge. There will also be very little mobile signal, with no access to the trail, so we would always suggest riding with a friend or partner and not alone.

Photo credits: Southern Lakes Trail Trust 2025/26 - photos taken during Kawarau Gorge construction