Roxburgh Gorge & Clutha Gold Trail Tour

Cycle the Roxburgh Gorge / Clutha Gold Trails (3 days/2 nights)

Clyde to Clyde option over 3 days (4 – 6 hours cycling per day) includes:

Bike Hire on our Trek Roscoe 7’s, with 27+ wheels and tyres for the smoothest ride. These have hydraulic disc brakes and high spec Shimano componentry, includes; 2 side mounted panniers & helmet.
We recommend staying the night before you start your trip in Clyde. You can then collect your bikes after 3pm that day at no extra cost.
Personalised bike fitting and trail briefing with a Bike it Now! crew member
Accommodation that is selected to suit your style and group numbers
Daily breakfast
Daily luggage transfers (15kg per bag weight allowance), extra bags can be stored or transferred to the end of the trail.

Additional Options:

Upgrade to a Merida Electric bike for an extra $50 per day ( MTB or Step Through style)
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.

Roxburgh Gorge & Clutha Gold Cycle Package Cost:

There are three grades of accommodation, generally all options include a continental breakfast. The exact price will depend on the accommodation that is available and suitable for your group.

Standard Accommodation (mainly share bathrooms)

from $560.00pp (add a night in Clyde from $70pp B&B)

2. Superior Accommodation (ensuite/own bathroom)

from $700.00pp (add a night in Clyde from $90pp B&B)

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

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

Suggested Package Itinerary:

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

PRE-TOUR OPTION – STAY A NIGHT IN HISTORIC CLYDE

We recommend you arrive in Clyde (population 1000) the morning or afternoon before your ride. Then you can relax, unwind and explore this delightful historic town. The small but eclectic retail precinct has art galleries, homeware stores, specialist food shops and an ice cream shop. The range of restaurants is second to none too, with great choices of places to eat; from casual fine dining to an outstanding local takeaway.

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

DAY 1 – CLYDE TO ROXBURGH DAM – 36 KM also 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 enjoy a complimentary drink while we run through our tour briefing. You then cycle the river route to Alexandra, joining the Roxburgh Gorge Trail there.

Clyde to Alexandra (12kms)

This section of the Roxburgh Gorge 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. Be amazed by the quick transition from urban to remote and the awe inspiring gorge setting. The trail then gains height as it makes its way to Butchers Creek (4.1km) where you will see stone walled water races and signs of Central Otago’s gold mining days. The trail then tops beside the boat jetty at Doctors Point. This is where you will meet the boat at a pre-arranged time to enjoy a relaxing transfer down the lake to Shingle Creek.

Shingle Creek to Roxburgh Dam (11kms)

At Shingle Creek Jetty you leave the boat and ascend gradually into the rural countryside, passing through peaceful secluded valleys. As you approach the Roxburgh Dam this rugged isolated landscape allows you to take in stunning vistas up and down the lake.

Overnight: Lake Roxburgh Village or continue for a short 9kms down the river to Roxburgh

DAY 2 – COMMISSIONERS FLAT TO MILLERS FLAT – 29 KM

Commissioners Flat to Roxburgh (9kms)

Roxburgh Dam and Clutha Gold Cycle Trail

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. With its’ turquoise waters, constant flow and ever changing moods it will be a constant companion on this section. Look out for signs of gold mining and imagine the harsh conditions faced by the early settlers.

As you travel downstream you cannot miss a number of Central Otago fruit orchards located on both sides of the valley. This creates a splash of colour in each season.

Roxburgh to Millers Flat (20kms)

Meander along the scenic riverside, then enjoy a break in your journey at Pinders Pond which is 5km beyond Roxburgh. There are many things to look out for along this part of the trail. These include the dramatic rock formations on the hillsides and in the river itself. There is also the largest stand of regenerating native Kanuka (tea trees).

Overnight: Millers Flat

DAY 3 – MILLERS FLAT TO LAWRENCE – 44.1 KM

Millers Flat to Beaumont (25kms)

This section of the trail takes you from pastoral farm land and orchards around Millers Flat through the remoteness of the Beaumont Gorge. Then you re-emerge beside the main highway at the Beaumont Bridge. From here you can 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 then start the climb towards the highest point of the trail and through the Big Hill Tunnel. After the tunnel descend into lush green farmland, crossing the highway several times. There are many reminders of history along the route, including the discovery of gold, the milling of flax fibre for rope making (around Evans Flat) and the arrival of the Chinese prospectors to the goldfields.

The trail ends at Lawrence. From here you can continue on to Dunedin or return to Clyde / Queenstown. Please advise at time of enquiry.