Gibbston River Trail
An easy gravel trail on the terrace above the Kawarau River, linking the bungy bridge with Gibbston's wineries, with a steep side loop for walkers and advanced riders.
Published 15 September 2026 · Last checked 18 September 2026 · By Queenstown Pocket
Key facts
Open, with cautions. On 18 September 2026 the Queenstown Trails Trust lists no closure on the Gibbston River Trail, DOC's alert feed has no alerts for the Peregrine Loop Track page, and DOC's track record shows the trail and loop open. The Trust's network-wide heavy rain warning still applies: expect mud, flooding, scour and washouts. Checked 18 September 2026 on Queenstown Trails Trust, Gibbston River Trail and site alert banner (opens in a new tab).
- Time
- 1 to 2 hours by bike, 2 to 3 hours on foot
- Distance
- 8.7 km one way
- Track type
- One way
- Grade
- Grade 2, easy
- Surface
- Well-maintained gravel
- Winter
- Care needed in winter
- Starts at
- Kawarau Bungy Centre car park, eastern end, SH6
- Bus
- No Orbus stop within 1.2 km of the start
- Dogs
- Dogs on a lead
- Bikes
- Shared with bikes
- Toilets
- At the Kawarau Bungy Centre at the start, and at the Gibbston Community Reserve, 200 m up the road from the Gibbston Tavern
- Children
- Grade 2, but there are steep drops beside the trail and stretches next to the highway: watch children closely
- Cost
- Free
In short: The Gibbston River Trail runs 8.7 km one way from the Kawarau Bungy Centre on SH6 to Gibbston Back Road, above the Kawarau River and past cellar doors. It is Grade 2 (easy): 1 to 2 hours by bike or 2 to 3 hours on foot. The steeper 2.7 km Peregrine Loop branches off it.
What the track is like
Views down to the Kawarau River from a high terrace, vineyards across the valley, the Peregrine Wines building and a short detour to Rum Currie's Hut. On the Peregrine Loop: interpretation signs, gold-mining tailraces, a collapsed mining tunnel and the view of Dog Leg Rapid.
The trail starts at the eastern end of the Kawarau Bungy Centre car park and follows the top of a terrace above the Kawarau River for about the first 5 km, as far as Peregrine Wines. The trail is generally over 2 m wide, but the Trust notes the drop to the river makes this section feel exposed. A narrow single-span bridge sits about 3 km from the bungy centre.
Past Peregrine the trail runs through vineyards and beside the highway in places. Some cellar doors and the Gibbston Tavern need a crossing of the Gibbston Highway, a 100 km/h road, and the approaches to the narrow Camp Creek Bridge near Coal Pit Road are steeper. The trail currently ends at Gibbston Back Road; return the same way or arrange a pick-up. Riders can instead climb Gibbston Back Road to Coal Pit Road and roll down that quiet sealed road to the Gibbston Tavern.
Peregrine Loop. DOC publishes it as a 2.7 km loop taking 1 hour, an easy to intermediate walking track and a Grade 4 to 5 advanced mountain bike track. It is signposted from the main trail, can be started from the Peregrine Wines car park, and goes either way. It drops steeply to the lower river terraces and climbs back, crossing 11 arched timber bridges built over archaeological sites and two steel truss bridges over Camp Creek. Riders who are not comfortable on advanced trail should stay on the Grade 2 trail.
On 18 September 2026 the Trust says the Kawarau Gorge Trail, being built by the Southern Lakes Trails Trust, is expected to open to the public in 2026 and will join the Gibbston River Trail near the Nevis Bluff. Until it opens, Gibbston Back Road is the end of the trail.
How to get to the start
The main start is the AJ Hackett Kawarau Bungy Centre on SH6, which the Trust puts 23.3 km from Queenstown, with parking beside the centre. For the Peregrine Loop on its own, DOC suggests starting from Peregrine Wines on SH6. No Orbus stop is within 1.2 km of either end of the trail.
The Arrow River Bridges Trail reaches the bungy centre from Arrowtown and the Twin Rivers Trail comes in from Frankton, so many people ride in and arrange the return. The Trust lists bike hire and transport operators who run pick-ups for riders and bikes in Gibbston.
- Start: Kawarau Bungy Centre car park, eastern end, SH6 (directions (opens in a new tab)).
- Parking: Parking beside the Kawarau Bungy Centre (Queenstown Trails Trust)
- From Queenstown: 23.3 km from Queenstown on SH6 (Queenstown Trails Trust)
- Finish: Gibbston Back Road.
- By bus: No Orbus stop is within 1.2 km of the Kawarau Bungy Centre start or the Gibbston Back Road finish; the nearest is about 7 km from the bungy centre. Routes and fares are in the bus guide.
Is it open, and what is it like in winter?
Open, with cautions on 18 September 2026. On 18 September 2026 the Queenstown Trails Trust lists no closure on the Gibbston River Trail, DOC's alert feed has no alerts for the Peregrine Loop Track page, and DOC's track record shows the trail and loop open. The Trust's network-wide heavy rain warning still applies: expect mud, flooding, scour and washouts. Check Queenstown Trails Trust, Gibbston River 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 good riding weather. After the September 2026 heavy rain, check the Trust's alert banner for new damage before you go. |
| Summer (December to February) | The Trust gives December to March as mid-teens to late 20s °C, and DOC warns of hot, dry weather on the Peregrine Loop. 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 Trust names autumn as one of the best seasons to ride. |
| Winter (June to August) | The Trust calls this one of the coldest parts of the network, and DOC warns of cold and possible ice on the Peregrine Loop. Wear warm, waterproof layers and footwear with good grip. |
What to know before you go
- Steep drops sit beside the trail, especially on the first 5 km of terrace above the river, and some stretches run next to the highway: watch children closely.
- Gibbston Highway crossings are on a 100 km/h road. Stop and give way to traffic; the Trust recommends walking your bike across.
- The Peregrine Loop has steep climbs and descents, tight corners and exposed edges. DOC rates it Grade 4 to 5 for bikes and reports patchy cell phone reception.
- DOC says to watch children closely on the Peregrine Loop, where several steep drops and exposed sections sit close to the track edge.
- In winter the Trust rates this among the coldest trails on the network and DOC warns of possible ice on the Peregrine Loop; in summer DOC warns of hot, dry weather, so carry water and sun protection.
- After heavy rain the Trust warns of mud, flooding, scour and washouts across the network. Check the alert banner at queenstowntrails.org.nz on the day.
- Motorbikes and e-motorbikes are not permitted on the trail. Arrange transport back before you set out if you will not ride the return.
For emergencies call 111. The Queenstown safety guide covers the rest before a long or winter walk.
Questions people ask
How long is the Gibbston River Trail?
8.7 km one way from the Kawarau Bungy Centre to Gibbston Back Road. You return the same way or arrange a pick-up.
How long does the Gibbston River Trail take?
The Trust gives 1 to 2 hours by bike and 2 to 3 hours on foot, without saying whether that is one way or return. DOC's brochure gives 2 hours to 2 hours 30 minutes one way as a riding time.
How hard is the Peregrine Loop?
DOC rates it an easy to intermediate walking track and a Grade 4 to 5 advanced bike track: 2.7 km and 1 hour, with steep sections, tight corners and exposed edges. Less experienced riders should stay on the Grade 2 trail.
Can I take my dog on the Gibbston River Trail?
DOC's record for the Gibbston River Trail and Peregrine Loop, and its Peregrine Loop page, say dogs on a leash only. The Trust also asks that dogs be kept under control.
Is there a bus to the Gibbston River Trail?
No. There is no Orbus stop within 1.2 km of either end, so drive, ride in on the Arrow River Bridges or Twin Rivers trails, or book a bike transport operator.
Are there toilets on the Gibbston River Trail?
At the Kawarau Bungy Centre at the start, and at the Gibbston Community Reserve, 200 m up the road from the Gibbston Tavern.
Is the Gibbston River Trail open?
Yes, with cautions. On 18 September 2026 neither the Trust nor DOC lists a closure, but the Trust warns of heavy rain damage across the network.
Nearby walks
- Arrow River Bridges Trail
13.7 km one way · 2 to 3 hours by bike, 3 to 5 hours on foot · Grade 2, easy
- Twin Rivers Trail
18.5 km one way · 4 to 5 hours walking, 2 to 3 hours by bike, one way · Grade 3, intermediate
- Lake Hayes loop
8 km loop · 2 to 3 hours walking, about 1 hour by bike · Grade 3, intermediate
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Sources: Queenstown Trails Trust, Gibbston River Trail (opens in a new tab), Queenstown Trails Trust, FAQs (opens in a new tab), DOC, Peregrine Loop Track (opens in a new tab), DOC, Queenstown day walks and bike trails brochure (March 2025) (opens in a new tab), Otago Regional Council, Orbus Queenstown GTFS (feed 260408-1230) (opens in a new tab) and OpenStreetMap Nominatim geocoder (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.