Opening 19 September 2026

The gorge
is waiting.
We'll get
you there.

Shuttles and bike hire for the Kawarau Gorge Trail, from our Bannockburn depot — right in the heart of Central Otago.

29 kmGibbston to Bannockburn
Grade 3NZ trail grade
3–5 hrsride time
Bannockburnour depot

You've found one of New Zealand's newest cycle trails. The Kawarau Gorge is dramatic, historic, and — on the right day — genuinely breathtaking.

But getting yourself and your bike to the right place at the right time is where most people get stuck. That's exactly what we're built around. We've been running shuttles across Central Otago for years. The Kawarau Gorge is our backyard.

The route

Oxbow to Cromwell — 33 km of Central Otago

The trail traces the Kawarau River from the Oxbow (near Queenstown) through the gorge, past Nevis Bluff and the Citroen Bridge backcountry section, finishing at Cromwell. Our Bannockburn depot sits at the eastern end — perfectly placed for the full one-way ride.

Official Kawarau Gorge Trail map showing the route from Oxbow to Cromwell with key landmarks, elevation profile and emergency zones

Map © Southern Lakes Trails. Trail is mostly Grade 2 with Grade 3 sections. 12 km backcountry zone — no easy exit once in.

Two riders on the Kawarau Gorge Trail with the turquoise river below

"A 13 km backcountry section. Once you're in, there's no easy exit."

Grade 3 · Two-way trail · 326 m total climb
Daily shuttles

Your ride, our wheels

Our shuttles run daily between Bannockburn and Gibbston. All hire bikes are dispatched from our Bannockburn depot — we sort the logistics so you just show up and ride.

Via
Queenstown
45 min drive
Trail start
Gibbston
Gorge entry
Our depot ★
Bannockburn
Trail end
Nearby
Clyde / Cromwell
25 min drive
10:00
am
Bannockburn → Gibbston
Morning van. The only shuttle that delivers hire bikes to Gibbston. Arrives 10:30 am.
Passengers Hire bikes Private bikes
11:30
am
Gibbston → Bannockburn
Mid-morning return. Passengers, hire bikes and private bikes. Arrives 12:00 pm.
Passengers Hire bikes Private bikes
3:30
pm
Bannockburn → Gibbston
Afternoon service. Passengers and private bikes only — no hire bikes on this leg.
Passengers Private bikes No hire bikes
4:15
pm
Gibbston → Bannockburn
Main return service. Hire bikes, private bikes and passengers all welcome. Arrives 4:45 pm.
Passengers Hire bikes Private bikes
4:45
pm
Bannockburn → Queenstown
End-of-day service to Queenstown. Passengers only — operated by our partner. No bikes.
Passengers only No bikes

Max capacity per shuttle: 19 passengers · 25 bikes (hire + private combined). Groups can mix and match — book individually or together.

Choose your day

Every group is different

Mix and match within a single booking. Riders, non-riders, hire bikes and private bikes can all be combined — just pick what works for you.

Self-guided · depot opens 9:00 am
Hire bike from Bannockburn — out and back
Total flexibility. Pick up at our depot, ride to Gibbston and back at your own pace. No shuttle required.
From $75per adult
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Departs 10:00 am · own bike
Own bike + morning shuttle to Gibbston
Bringing your own bike? Load it on the morning van and ride the gorge back to Bannockburn. All logistics sorted, no hire fee.
From $45per person
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Meet at Gibbston 10:30–11:30 am
Meet at Gibbston — hire bike waiting, ride to Bannockburn + shuttle return
Coming from Queenstown? Make your own way to Gibbston and find your hire bike waiting. Ride to Bannockburn; return shuttle included.
From $125per adult (MTB)
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3:30 pm shuttle from Bannockburn
Afternoon shuttle — Bannockburn to Gibbston
Position yourself at Gibbston for a late ride or overnight. Passengers and own bikes — great for multi-day itineraries.
From $45per person
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Departs Gibbston 4:15 pm
Afternoon return — Gibbston to Bannockburn
Finished for the day at Gibbston? We collect you and your bike and head back to Bannockburn. All bikes welcome.
From $40per person
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All prices include the $5 Trail Trust contribution per person. E-bike and Premium E-bike upgrades available — see full pricing.

Aerial view of the Kawarau Gorge Trail hugging the cliff above the river with vineyards beyond

"Ancient Māori routes through a canyon carved by the Kawarau River."

Turquoise water · gold mining history · Central Otago wine country
Two riders on the trail with the turquoise gorge river below
Why SheBikesHeBikes

The trail is the adventure.
We handle everything else.

📍

Right on the trail

Our Bannockburn depot is at the eastern end of the gorge. Queenstown operators run long shuttle legs to get here. We're already there.

🚲

Bikes built for this trail

Our hire bikes are selected, fitted and maintained for Grade 3 backcountry terrain — not generic hire-fleet machines.

🔄

Flexible for every group

Everyone can choose differently within one booking. Riders, non-riders, hire bikes and private bikes — mix freely, book once.

🗺️

Briefed, not just dropped off

Every hire includes a fitting, trail briefing and map. The backcountry section has no easy exit — we make sure you're ready.

🔗

Link multiple trails

Combine with the Otago Rail Trail, Lake Dunstan, or Roxburgh Gorge. Our Clyde depot is just 25 minutes away.

🏅 Qualmark Gold Operator
TripAdvisor Travellers' Choice 2025
🚐 16+ Years serving the Central Otago trails
🌿 $5 Trail Trust contribution included
How it works

Three steps to your best day in the gorge

1

Choose your package

Pick what fits your group. Mix hire bikes, own bikes, shuttle seats and passengers freely within a single booking.

2

Book and pay online

Secure your shuttle seat and bike allocation. We'll send everything you need before your day.

3

Arrive and ride

Show up at the agreed location. We'll fit your bike, brief you on the trail, and get you on your way.

Aerial view of the Kawarau River with vineyards and the gorge trail

Your day in the gorge starts here

You've done the research. You know the trail. Let us handle the bikes and the shuttles so you can focus on the part that matters — the riding.