A little Luxury on The Roxburgh Gorge / Clutha Gold Trails

Cycle the Roxburgh Gorge / Clutha Gold Trails over 4 days 

Clyde to Clyde Self Guided Cycle Tour (4 days / 3 nights)

• Bike Hire on Trek Roscoe 7’s, with 27+ wheels and tyres for a smoother ride. These have hydraulic disc brakes and high spec Shimano componentry, including; 2 side mounted panniers & helmet. We recommend staying the night before you start your ride in Clyde. You can then collect your bikes after 3pm that day at no extra cost.
• Personalised bike fitting and trail briefing over a coffee at one of our local cafés
• Accommodation at the best standard these trails have to offer
• Daily breakfast
• Daily luggage transfers with 15kg per bag weight allowance. Any extra bags can be stored or transferred to the end of the trail.

Additional Options:

• Step through bikes with a more upright riding style
• Upgrade to the latest Merida Electric bike (MTB or step through) for an extra $50 per day
• Add on a door to door collection from Queenstown by one of our friendly team and a scenic drive to Clyde. We run two services a day at 8am and 2pm.

What it will cost:

 Incl. Accommodation (ensuite/own bathroom)

•  from $1000.00pp (add a night in Clyde from $110pp B&B)

Accommodation is based on twin share and single supplements will apply for single travelers wanting their own room.

The trail finishes in Lawrence. However you have the choice of continuing on to Dunedin by public transport or returning to Queenstown via Clyde by shuttle bus. You just need to let us know your preference and we will advise the cost and add it on to your tour pricing.

Suggested Itineraries:

HIGHLIGHTS

This itinerary is a guideline only and can be tailor-made to suit your group.  Additional days and activities are easily added. 

POSSIBLE ITINERARY – PRE-TOUR OPTION TO STAY A NIGHT IN HISTORIC CLYDE

We recommend you arrive in Clyde (population 1000) either the morning or afternoon before your ride.  Then you have time to relax, unwind and explore this delightful historic town. The small but eclectic retail precinct has art galleries, home-wares stores, specialist food-stores and even an artisan ice cream shop.  The range of restaurants in Clyde is second to none with at least 5 choices of places to eat; from casual fine dining to an outstanding local takeaway.

Visit the Clyde Museum and Herb Factory, enjoy one of the short walks or visit local artists.  We can fit your bikes on arrival so they are ready for you the next morning.  Alternatively add an extra day’s hire to explore the local boutique vineyards on your bike.  Stay the night, so you are raring to go the next morning after breakfast.

DAY 1 – CLYDE TO ROXBURGH  – 44 km + 13 km boat ride

Your Roxburgh Gorge / Clutha Gold Trails adventure starts at our Bike It Now! depot in Clyde. We fit your bikes and then you enjoy a complimentary drink while we run through your personal tour briefing.

You then cycle the river route to Alexandra, joining the Roxburgh Gorge Trail there.

Clyde to Alexandra (12kms)

This section of the trail follows the Clutha River from The Big Red Bridge to the Big Grey Bridge in Alexandra. This is easy single track riding, you just need to be aware of other users as it is a walking and cycling track. Our bikes all have bells – very useful in this section.

Alexandra to Doctors Point (10kms)

This part of the trail begins in Alexandra passing under the Alexandra bridge and beside the historic bridge piers. The Manuherikia River joins the Clutha River and you enter into the gorge within 1km on the track start. You will be amazed by the quick transition from urban to remote scenery, and the awe inspiring gorge setting. The trail gains height as it makes its way to Butchers Creek (4.1km) where you will see stone walled water races and signs of the old gold mining days. 

The trail stops beside the boat jetty at Doctors Point. This is where you will meet the boat at a pre-arranged time for a relaxing but fun transfer down the lake to Shingle Creek.

Shingle Creek to the Roxburgh Dam (12kms)

From the Shingle Creek Jetty you ascend gradually into a more rural setting, passing through small secluded valleys. As you approach the Roxburgh Dam the rugged isolated landscape allows you to take in stunning vistas up and down the lake. Then it is a short 9kms down the river to Roxburgh.

Commissioners Flat to Roxburgh (9kms)

Start by crossing over the Roxburgh Dam, turning right to Commissioners Flat. This is the starting point of the Clutha Gold Trail. This part of the trail takes you alongside the mighty Clutha (Mata-au) River – its’ distinctive turquoise colour, constant flow and ever changing moods will become interwoven with your experience. Look out for signs of the original search for gold and imagine what the hardy settlers faced in the early days.

As you travel downstream you cannot miss the orchards on both sides of the valley creating a splash of colour at every season.

Overnight: Roxburgh, Roxburgh Central

DAY 2 – COMMISSIONERS FLAT TO MILLERS FLAT – 20 KM

Roxburgh to Millers Flat (20kms)

Meander along the riverside and enjoy a break in your journey at Pinders Pond, 5km beyond Roxburgh. There are many things to look out for along this part of the trail, including stunning rock formations both on the hillsides and in the river, and the largest stand of regenerating native Kanuka (tea trees).

Overnight: Millers Flat, The Quince Boutique B&B

DAY 3 – MILLERS FLAT TO LAWRENCE – 44.1 KM

Millers Flat to Beaumont (25kms)

This section of the trail takes you from the pastoral farm land and orchards around Millers Flat through the remoteness of the Beaumont Gorge before re-emerging beside the main highway at the Beaumont Bridge. Visit the historic Horseshoe Bend Bridge, and for an added story take a short detour from the Horseshoe Bend Bridge car park up the road to the site of the Lonely Graves.

Beaumont to Lawrence (20kms)

From Beaumont you start the climb towards the highest point of the trail and through the Big Hill Tunnel.  After the tunnel you descend into lush green farmland connecting with and crossing the highway several times.  There are many reminders of the area’s history along the route, including the discovery of gold, milling of flax fibre for rope making around Evans Flat and the arrival of the Chinese prospectors to the goldfields.

Overnight: Lawrence, Lady of Lawrence

DAY  4 – RETURN TO CLYDE OR MOVE ON FURTHER A FIELD

The choice is yours!