Arrow River Bridges Trail
Five bridges over the Arrow River between Arrowtown and the 1880 Kawarau Suspension Bridge, on easy gravel shared by walkers, dog walkers and riders.
Published 15 September 2026 · Last checked 18 September 2026 · By Queenstown Pocket
Key facts
Partly closed. On 18 September 2026 the Queenstown Trails Trust lists the trail as closed between Tobins Bridge and Whitechapel Road, and warns of mud, flooding, scour and washouts across the network after heavy rain. The council's storm update of 28 August 2026, unchanged when re-read on 18 September 2026, lists the true left (Tobins side) and the Swain Bridge section, Arrowtown to Whitechapel Road, as closed while assessments and remedial work are done. No reopening date is given. Checked 18 September 2026 on Queenstown Trails Trust, Arrow River Bridges Trail and site alert banner (opens in a new tab).
- Time
- 2 to 3 hours by bike, 3 to 5 hours on foot
- Distance
- 13.7 km one way
- Track type
- One way
- Grade
- Grade 2, easy
- Surface
- Well-maintained gravel, with about 1 km on Arrow Junction Road
- Winter
- Care needed in winter
- Starts at
- Arrowtown, by the Arrowtown Chinese Settlement and Butlers Green
- Bus
- Route 2 and Route 4 at Ramshaw Lane, 47, about 300 m from the start
- Dogs
- Dogs under control
- Bikes
- Shared with bikes
- Toilets
- At the Kawarau Bungy Centre at the Gibbston end
- Children
- Grade 2; the Trust rates it suitable for families with children and for beginners
- Cost
- Free
In short: The Arrow River Bridges Trail runs 13.7 km one way from Arrowtown, beside the Chinese Settlement, to the Kawarau Bungy Centre on SH6. It is a Grade 2 (easy) gravel trail shared by walkers and riders: 2 to 3 hours by bike or 3 to 5 hours on foot. Part is closed after heavy rain.
What the track is like
The 80 m Edgar Suspension Bridge over the Arrow Gorge, the Southern Discoveries suspension bridge, willow-lined river pools, and the finish at the 1880 Kawarau Suspension Bridge, where AJ Hackett began commercial bungy jumping in 1988. DOC lists the bridge as a Tohu Whenua heritage site.
The trail leaves Arrowtown near the Chinese Settlement and Butlers Green, follows the Arrow River downstream on the true right, then crosses Tobins Bridge (where the steep Tobins Track climbs to the Crown Terrace) and carries on along the true left. The Trust calls the riverside stretch to Arrow Junction the easiest and busiest part. On 18 September 2026 the section between Tobins Bridge and Whitechapel Road is closed.
Beyond the Swain Bridge and the Southern Discoveries suspension bridge the route runs down Whitechapel Road, a country lane, then passes the Knights Family Bridge under the road bridge near Arrow Junction. It shares Arrow Junction Road for about a kilometre before gravel resumes, and just past the Morven Ferry Road intersection the Twin Rivers Trail branches off towards Frankton.
After that junction the Trust notes longer climbs and narrower trail. The 80 m Edgar Suspension Bridge spans the Arrow Gorge, the Barfoot Tunnel takes the trail under the state highway with steep approaches either side, and an old goldminers' route leads to the Kawarau Suspension Bridge and the bungy centre. The Gibbston River Trail starts on the far side of that car park.
The surface is gravel with several short climbs and descents, and the trail can be ridden either way. The Trust gives 2 to 3 hours by bike and 3 to 5 hours on foot and labels both return, while DOC's brochure gives 2 to 3 hours as a one-way riding time. If you plan to walk there and back, do not count on 3 to 5 hours covering both directions.
How to get to the start
Start in Arrowtown beside the Arrowtown Chinese Settlement and Butlers Green, or at the Kawarau Bungy Centre on SH6, which the Trust puts 23.3 km from Queenstown. The Trust says there is parking at both ends. Orbus Routes 2 and 4 stop at Arrowtown (Ramshaw Lane), about 300 m from the Arrowtown start, for $2.50 with a Bee Card; no Orbus stop is within 1.2 km of the bungy centre.
For a one-way trip, the Trust points to its listed bike hire and transport operators for drop-offs and pick-ups. The Otago Regional Council says every urban Orbus bus has a bike rack and bikes ride free, subject to space; the racks take wheels larger than 16 inches and e-bikes up to 25 kg, and bikes do not go inside the bus. A rider finishing in Arrowtown can try the bus back.
- Start: Arrowtown, by the Arrowtown Chinese Settlement and Butlers Green (directions (opens in a new tab)).
- Parking: Parking in Arrowtown near the start (Queenstown Trails Trust)
- Finish: Kawarau Bungy Centre and Kawarau Suspension Bridge, SH6 (directions (opens in a new tab)).
- Parking: Parking at the Kawarau Bungy Centre (Queenstown Trails Trust)
- From Queenstown: 23.3 km from Queenstown on SH6 (Queenstown Trails Trust)
- By bus: Orbus Routes 2 and 4 stop at Arrowtown (Ramshaw Lane), about 300 m from the Arrowtown start, for $2.50 with a Bee Card. No Orbus stop is within 1.2 km of the Kawarau Bungy Centre finish; the nearest is about 7 km away. Routes and fares are in the bus guide.
Is it open, and what is it like in winter?
Partly closed on 18 September 2026. On 18 September 2026 the Queenstown Trails Trust lists the trail as closed between Tobins Bridge and Whitechapel Road, and warns of mud, flooding, scour and washouts across the network after heavy rain. The council's storm update of 28 August 2026, unchanged when re-read on 18 September 2026, lists the true left (Tobins side) and the Swain Bridge section, Arrowtown to Whitechapel Road, as closed while assessments and remedial work are done. No reopening date is given. Check Queenstown Trails Trust, Arrow River Bridges Trail and site alert banner (opens in a new tab) on the day; conditions change quickly.
| Season | What to expect |
|---|---|
| Spring (September to November) | The Trust gives September to November as 8 to 17°C and one of the better times to ride. In September 2026 heavy rain has closed the stretch between Tobins Bridge and Whitechapel Road, so check the Trust's alert banner on the day. |
| Summer (December to February) | The Trust gives December to March as mid-teens to late 20s °C, with swimming and picnic spots along the Arrow River. Carry water, sunscreen, sunglasses and a sunhat or helmet visor. |
| Autumn (March to May) | April and May run about 8 to 16°C by the Trust's figures, and the Southern Discoveries Bridge is its pick for autumn colour. |
| Winter (June to August) | June to August runs about -2 to 10°C, and the Trust calls this one of the coldest parts of the Queenstown Trail network and says the trail is often frozen. Carry plenty of warm and waterproof clothing. |
What to know before you go
- Part of the trail is closed: the Trust lists Tobins Bridge to Whitechapel Road as closed after heavy rain (checked 18 September 2026), and the council's 28 August 2026 storm update lists the true left (Tobins side) and the Swain Bridge section as closed. Check the alert banner at queenstowntrails.org.nz before you go, and expect mud, scour and washouts elsewhere on the network.
- Tobins, Southern Discoveries and Edgar bridges are narrow and shared with walkers and dogs. Slow down, give way, and walk your bike across if you need to.
- About 1 km runs on Arrow Junction Road. It is a quiet road, but keep left and follow the road rules.
- Expect short steep sections at the Barfoot Tunnel approaches, near the Twin Rivers Trail junction, and on the corners above the Knights Family Bridge.
- In winter the Trust rates this among the coldest trails on the network and says it is often frozen. Expect ice in shaded stretches and on bridge decks, especially in the morning, and carry warm and waterproof layers; in summer carry water and sun protection.
- Motorbikes and e-motorbikes are not permitted. The Trust reports signposting and good cell reception; dial 111 in an emergency.
For emergencies call 111. The Queenstown safety guide covers the rest before a long or winter walk.
Questions people ask
How long is the Arrow River Bridges Trail?
13.7 km one way from Arrowtown to the Kawarau Bungy Centre, according to the Trust's trail description and DOC's brochure. The summary panel on the Trust's page shows 13.3 km.
How long does the Arrow River Bridges Trail take?
The Trust gives 2 to 3 hours by bike and 3 to 5 hours on foot, labelled return. DOC's brochure gives 2 to 3 hours one way by bike.
Is the Arrow River Bridges Trail open?
Partly. On 18 September 2026 the Trust lists the section between Tobins Bridge and Whitechapel Road as closed after heavy rain, with no reopening date, and the council's 28 August 2026 storm update lists the true left (Tobins side) and the Swain Bridge section as closed.
Is the Arrow River Bridges Trail suitable for kids and beginners?
It is Grade 2 (easy) and the Trust rates it suitable for families and beginners. The riverside stretch to Arrow Junction is the easiest; after the Twin Rivers junction there are longer climbs, narrow bridges and a short road section.
Can I take my dog on the Arrow River Bridges Trail?
Yes. The Trust welcomes dogs kept under control, and the trail is shared with dog walkers, so riders need to slow down on the narrow bridges.
Can I get to the Arrow River Bridges Trail by bus?
Orbus Routes 2 and 4 stop at Arrowtown (Ramshaw Lane), about 300 m from the start, for $2.50 with a Bee Card. There is no Orbus stop within 1.2 km of the bungy centre end.
Are there toilets on the Arrow River Bridges Trail?
The Trust lists toilets and a cafe at the Kawarau Bungy Centre at the Gibbston end.
Which trails connect to the Arrow River Bridges Trail?
The Countryside Trail at Arrowtown, the Twin Rivers Trail near Morven Ferry Road, and the Gibbston River Trail at the Kawarau Bungy Centre.
Nearby walks
- Gibbston River Trail
8.7 km one way · 1 to 2 hours by bike, 2 to 3 hours on foot · Grade 2, easy (Peregrine Loop: Grade 4 to 5 for bikes)
- Arrowtown Millennium Walk
4 km loop · 1 hour (loop) · Grade 2, easy
- Countryside Trail
12.8 km one way · 2.5 to 4 hours walking, 1.5 to 3 hours by bike, one way · Grade 3, intermediate
- Twin Rivers Trail
18.5 km one way · 4 to 5 hours walking, 2 to 3 hours by bike, one way · Grade 3, intermediate
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Sources: Queenstown Trails Trust, Arrow River Bridges Trail (opens in a new tab), Queenstown Trails Trust, FAQs (opens in a new tab), Queenstown Trails Trust, Gibbston River Trail (distance from Queenstown to the bungy centre) (opens in a new tab), DOC, Queenstown day walks and bike trails brochure (March 2025) (opens in a new tab), DOC, Kawarau Suspension Bridge (opens in a new tab), Otago Regional Council, What can you take on the bus (opens in a new tab), Otago Regional Council, Orbus Queenstown GTFS (feed 260408-1230) (opens in a new tab), OpenStreetMap Nominatim geocoder (opens in a new tab) and Queenstown Lakes District Council, Latest update on Queenstown Lakes weather event (28 August 2026, trail closures and cautions) (opens in a new tab), retrieved 18 September 2026. Distances, times and grades are the managing body's published figures; fit walkers are often quicker. Department of Conservation information is used under CC BY 4.0. Start coordinates: OpenStreetMap contributors (ODbL). This independent guide is published by Tally Sphere Limited, a New Zealand company. Spotted a change? Report a problem with this page and the page address comes with your email.
All walks: Queenstown walks and tracks.