Shotover Gorge Trail
Arthurs Point to Tucker Beach along the lower Shotover gorge, through a 108 m mining tunnel and across a 90 m suspension bridge built in 2024.
Published 15 September 2026 · Last checked 18 September 2026 · By Queenstown Pocket
Key facts
Open, with cautions. On 18 September 2026 the Trust lists no closure on the Shotover Gorge Trail, but a network-wide heavy-rain warning covers mud, flooding, scour and washouts, and the Lower Shotover Conservation Area trail that branches off near Tucker Beach is flooded. The council's storm update of 28 August 2026 advises caution at the Hugo Tunnel for silt, mud and surface water. The tunnel is gated shut in floods, with a signposted bypass. Checked 18 September 2026 on Queenstown Trails Trust, Shotover Gorge Trail page and alert bar (opens in a new tab).
- Time
- 2 hours walking, 1 to 1.5 hours by bike, one way
- Distance
- 5.5 km one way
- Track type
- One way
- Grade
- Grade 3, with short Grade 4 sections at the Hugo Tunnel
- Surface
- Smooth gravel, generally over 2 m wide, narrowing to under 1 m in places between the Hugo Tunnel and the Hugo Tunnel Intersection
- Winter
- Care needed in winter
- Starts at
- Shotover Gorge Trail trailhead, Atley Road, Arthurs Point
- Bus
- Route 4 at Atley Rd (Queenstown Top 10 Holiday Park), about 350 m from the start
- Dogs
- Dogs under control
- Bikes
- Shared with bikes
- Children
- Atley Road to the Hugo Tunnel (1.6 km) is the wide, gentle section the Trust suggests for families; watch children at the gorge drops
- Cost
- Free
In short: The Shotover Gorge Trail runs 5.5 km one way from Atley Road in Arthurs Point to Tucker Beach, through the 108 m Hugo Tunnel and over the Kimi-ākau suspension bridge. Allow 2 hours walking or 1 to 1.5 hours by bike. It is Grade 3, with short, steep Grade 4 sections beyond the tunnel.
What the track is like
The lit 108 m Hugo Tunnel, jet boats in the canyon below, the views from Bucks Balcony and McQuilkin's lookout, a salvaged gold dredge, and the 90 m Kimi-ākau suspension bridge.
From Atley Road the trail descends gently through sycamore forest above Big Beach. This first 1.6 km to the Hugo Tunnel is wide and smooth, and the Trust suggests it for families and less experienced riders. It gives 1 hour return on foot or 45 minutes by bike, and the tunnel picnic area is a natural turnaround.
The tunnel is 108 m long, lit by solar lights from a push button inside the portal, with the original tramlines left in the floor, so riders are asked to walk their bikes. Beyond it the trail turns back upstream and climbs Lyttle's Ladder, narrow and steep, with a couple of Grade 4 corners and drops beside the trail. The Trust gives 20 minutes on foot for the 1.3 km from the tunnel to the Hugo Tunnel Intersection.
At the intersection a rest area marks the bypass, about 400 m of tight switchbacks down to Littles Road and the Redemption car park; use it when the tunnel is closed. Bucks Balcony, a viewpoint into the gorge, comes on the climb before the intersection. From there the main trail follows the lip of the canyon, drops into Little Stream to cross McQuilkin's Bridge and reaches McQuilkin's lookout, above cliffs.
Near Tucker Beach a junction leads up a steep farm track to Fitzpatrick Road, or onto the Lower Shotover Conservation Area trail: technical singletrack that crosses the river bed, graded 5 on its own Trust page and flooded on 18 September 2026. The main trail zigzags down past the dredge to the Kimi-ākau Bridge and 700 m on to the Tucker Beach car park; the Tucker Beach Trail continues to the Old Lower Shotover Bridge, 10.5 km from Arthurs Point.
How to get to the start
Arthurs Point is about 10 minutes' drive from Queenstown. The Trust suggests parking at the Swiss-Belresort, or walking in from the Redemption car park on Littles Road by the bypass; the trail starts on Atley Road. At the other end, use the signposted car park at the end of Tucker Beach Road. Riders from town can take the Arthurs Point Link Trail, which has steep sections and crosses the single-lane Edith Cavell Bridge.
Orbus Route 4 stops at Atley Rd (Queenstown Top 10 Holiday Park), about 340 m in a straight line from the trailhead; fares are $2.50 with a Bee Card. There is no Orbus stop within walking distance of Tucker Beach, so walk back, carry on to the Old Lower Shotover Bridge or book transport. Every urban Orbus bus has a bike rack that carries bikes free, subject to space, taking wheels larger than 16 inches and e-bikes up to 25 kg (ORC).
- Start: Shotover Gorge Trail trailhead, Atley Road, Arthurs Point (directions (opens in a new tab)).
- Parking: Parking at the Swiss-Belresort in Arthurs Point, or walk in from the Redemption car park on Littles Road (Queenstown Trails Trust)
- From Queenstown: Arthurs Point is about 10 minutes' drive from Queenstown (Queenstown Trails Trust)
- Finish: Tucker Beach Recreation Reserve car park, end of Tucker Beach Road.
- Parking: Tucker Beach car park, signposted at the end of Tucker Beach Road
- By bus: Orbus Route 4 stops at Atley Rd (Queenstown Top 10 Holiday Park), about 340 m from the trailhead, but there is no Orbus stop within walking distance of the Tucker Beach finish. 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 Trust lists no closure on the Shotover Gorge Trail, but a network-wide heavy-rain warning covers mud, flooding, scour and washouts, and the Lower Shotover Conservation Area trail that branches off near Tucker Beach is flooded. The council's storm update of 28 August 2026 advises caution at the Hugo Tunnel for silt, mud and surface water. The tunnel is gated shut in floods, with a signposted bypass. Check Queenstown Trails Trust, Shotover Gorge Trail page and alert bar (opens in a new tab) on the day; conditions change quickly.
| Season | What to expect |
|---|---|
| Spring (September to November) | September to November runs 8 to 17°C by the Trust's figures. Rain raises the Shotover: the Hugo Tunnel may be closed in flood events, and the Trust lists the Lower Shotover Conservation Area trail, which crosses the river bed, as flooded on 18 September 2026. |
| Summer (December to February) | December to March reaches the mid-teens to the late 20s. The Trust calls this one of its busiest trails, so expect walkers, runners and riders pushing bikes on the narrow section beyond the tunnel. |
| Autumn (March to May) | April and May run 8 to 16°C. The Trust rates autumn and spring as the most comfortable seasons on the trails. |
| Winter (June to August) | June to August runs from -2 to 10°C and the Trust warns this trail gets very cold. Carry warm and waterproof layers, and take extra care on the narrow, steep section beyond the tunnel when it is wet. |
What to know before you go
- Do not swim in the Shotover Gorge. Shotover Jet runs through it, and the Trust says it is not safe to paddle or swim there at any time.
- The Hugo Tunnel can be closed after heavy rain or in floods. QLDC closes the gates when it is, and you must use the signposted Hugo Tunnel bypass instead. After the August 2026 storm the council advised caution in the tunnel for silt, mud and surface water.
- Between the tunnel and the Hugo Tunnel Intersection the trail narrows to under 1 m in places, and the bypass is generally under 1.5 m wide; both have steep drops and tight corners. Walk it if you are not confident on a bike, and watch children closely.
- Walk bikes through the tunnel: the old tramlines are still in the floor.
- Phone reception is poor near and in the tunnel, so tell someone your plan before you set off.
- On 18 September 2026 the Trust warns of mud, flooding, scour and washouts across the network, and the Lower Shotover Conservation Area trail is flooded. Do not enter the river bed on that trail if there is water on it.
For emergencies call 111. The Queenstown safety guide covers the rest before a long or winter walk.
Questions people ask
How long is the Shotover Gorge Trail?
5.5 km one way from Atley Road in Arthurs Point to Tucker Beach, or 10.5 km to the Old Lower Shotover Bridge including the Tucker Beach Trail. The Trust gives 2 hours walking or 1 to 1.5 hours by bike.
How do I walk to the Hugo Tunnel?
Start on Atley Road in Arthurs Point. The 1.6 km down to the tunnel is wide and gentle; the Trust gives 1 hour return on foot or 45 minutes by bike.
Is the Shotover Gorge Trail hard?
It is Grade 3 overall, with short Grade 4 sections between the Hugo Tunnel and the Hugo Tunnel Intersection that are narrow, steep and tightly cornered, with drops beside the trail. The Trust suggests less confident riders walk that 20-minute stretch.
Is the Hugo Tunnel open?
The Trust lists no tunnel closure on 18 September 2026, but it warns of heavy-rain damage across the network, and the council's 28 August 2026 storm update advises caution at the tunnel for silt, mud and surface water. The tunnel is gated shut in floods; use the signposted bypass when it is.
Where do I park for the Shotover Gorge Trail?
The Trust suggests the Swiss-Belresort in Arthurs Point for the Atley Road start, or the Redemption car park on Littles Road. The Tucker Beach car park is at the end of Tucker Beach Road, 700 m from the Kimi-ākau Bridge.
Can I get to the Hugo Tunnel by bus?
Yes. Orbus Route 4 stops at Atley Rd (Queenstown Top 10 Holiday Park), about 340 m from the trailhead. There is no stop within walking distance of Tucker Beach.
Can you swim in the Shotover Gorge?
No. Shotover Jet runs through the gorge and the Trust says it is not safe to paddle or swim there at any time.
Nearby walks
- Tucker Beach Trail
4.4 km one way · 1 hour 10 minutes walking, 30 minutes by bike, one way · Grade 2, easy
- Oxenbridge Tunnel
1 km return · 20 minutes return · Easy to intermediate
- Morningstar Track
2 km one way, back the same way · 30 minutes one way · Walking track (DOC describes it as a short, easy walk)
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Related guides
- The Queenstown Trail, section by section
Ten sections, over 150 km, with the Trails Trust's distances, grades and times, and the $2.50 bus back from each end.
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Sources: Queenstown Trails Trust, Shotover Gorge Trail (opens in a new tab), Queenstown Trails Trust, trail alerts (site-wide alert bar) (opens in a new tab), Queenstown Trails Trust, Lower Shotover Conservation Area (opens in a new tab), Queenstown Trails Trust, Tunnel Sponsor Announced (30 June 2024) (opens in a new tab), DOC, Whakatipu basin day walks and bike trails brochure (March 2025) (opens in a new tab), Queenstown Trails Trust, understanding trail grades (opens in a new tab), Queenstown Trails Trust, FAQs (dogs, seasons, coverage) (opens in a new tab), Otago Regional Council, what you can take on the bus (bike racks) (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.