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| One Way Shuttle | 3 – 5 Hour Ride | 37 km | Hilly Terrain |
Ride Overview
Start your self-guided ride with a 25-minute bus transfer from Around The Basin’s shop in Queenstown to the historic village of Arrowtown. Once there, we’ll get you fully set up with a mountain bike or E-bike, helmet, trail map, and a detailed briefing to ensure you’re ready to go.
Then it’s over to you to enjoy a scenic and challenging 37 km ride back to Queenstown at your own pace. Expect 3-5 hours of riding on hilly terrain, following well-maintained gravel trails (Grade 2–4) with spectacular alpine views, beautiful bridges, and riverside cruising. The route follows the Arrow River, Twin Rivers, and Shotover Gorge trails, with highlights including the historic Old Shotover Bridge, Kimi-Ākau Suspension Bridge, Hugo Tunnel and Arthurs Point.
Additional Information
More details on the Big Day Out ride
This self-guided ride gives you the freedom to cruise at your own pace and soak it all in, your way. The trail takes you through shady forest tracks, wide-open farmland, peaceful riversides, and a few steeper, more technical bits (up to Grade 4). It’s a solid ride — best for those who are confident on a bike and up for a challenge.
E-bikes make life easier, especially on the hill climbs and come highly recommended.
Remember to pack a water bottle, some snacks, and a few extra layers.
Keep in mind, riding from Arrowtown to Queenstown via the Shotover Gorge can take some folks over four hours, so keep an eye on the clock — the shop shuts at 5 pm.
How difficult is this ride?
The Big Day Out route via the Twin River Trail and Shotover Gorge covers 36 km of gravel trails and includes three notable climbs in the middle section + a technical and undulating climb to Arthurs Point – with a big descent and ascent to see the Hugo Tunnel. As a result, it’s best suited for confident riders with a high level of fitness. Most of our customers prefer to ride with an E-bike to make the experience more enjoyable — especially on the uphill sections.
What if the weather takes a turn?
Surrounded on all sides by mountains, the weather can be hard to predict in Queenstown. We therefore usually assess weather conditions on the day of the ride. If you’re unsure on the morning of your ride, give us a call 45 mins – 1 hour before the shuttle departs and we’ll discuss options. If the weather is deemed unsuitable for riding, we first try to reschedule your ride. If that’s not possible, we’re happy to offer a refund (less a 3% transaction fee).
Will I pass any wineries on this ride?
No, the Gibbston wineries are not on this route. However, you can stop at Gantleys Tavern, Rakau Pizza or Canyon Brewing for a drink or bite. For a winery-focused ride, consider one of our Bike The Wineries options.
For more FAQs, check out our full FAQ section here.
Strava Map Of Route
Pricing
* Children must be at least 140 cm/4 ft 6″ tall to fit the smallest Electric Bike.
** Infants can select either a bike, trailer, or a tag-along.
