Twin Rivers Trail
Frankton to Morven Ferry beside two rivers: a Grade 3 gravel trail with three long climbs, the Old Lower Shotover Bridge and willow-lined riverbanks.
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 Twin Rivers Trail, but its network-wide heavy-rain warning covers mud, flooding, scour and washouts. The council's storm update of 28 August 2026 advises caution on Twin Rivers because of multiple slips and scours, and the Trust's trail page notes a 2024 slip near the top of the Middle Climb that still partly blocks the trail, with a narrow safe route across. Checked 18 September 2026 on Queenstown Trails Trust, Twin Rivers Trail page and alert bar (opens in a new tab).
- Time
- 4 to 5 hours walking, 2 to 3 hours by bike, one way
- Distance
- 18.5 km one way
- Track type
- One way
- Grade
- Grade 3, intermediate
- Surface
- Smooth gravel, generally over 2 m wide, with a short section shared with Old School Road
- Winter
- Care needed in winter
- Starts at
- Kawarau Falls Bridge, Frankton
- Bus
- Route 3 at Douglas St, about 400 m from the start
- Dogs
- Dogs under control
- Bikes
- Shared with bikes
- Toilets
- In Shotover Country and Lake Hayes Estate, off the trail
- Children
- Grade 3: the Trust suits riders over 12, with children accompanied by an adult
- Cost
- Free
In short: The Twin Rivers Trail runs 18.5 km one way from the Kawarau Falls Bridge in Frankton to Morven Ferry Road, following the Kawarau and Shotover rivers past Shotover Country and Lake Hayes Estate. Allow 4 to 5 hours walking or 2 to 3 hours by bike. It is Grade 3, with three longer climbs.
What the track is like
The Kawarau and Shotover rivers meeting at the Shotover Delta, the Old Lower Shotover Bridge, planes on final approach to Queenstown Airport seen from Old MacDonalds Hill, and from the top of Thompsons Hill the Remarkables, Coronet Peak and the rock country of Gibbston.
The trail passes under the Kawarau Falls Bridge through an underpass, climbs to Robertson Street and runs through the Kawarau Falls Scenic Reserve down to the Kawarau River. It follows willow-lined banks to the Shotover Delta, then heads upstream beside the Shotover to the Old Lower Shotover Bridge, with a steep pinch up to the bridge. The optional Twin Rivers Link, straight on after the underpass, is steeper, narrower and undulating.
Across the bridge the trail shares a short section of Old School Road, passes under the SH6 bridge and skirts Shotover Country and Lake Hayes Estate, both reached by side trails with toilets, playgrounds and cafes. Old MacDonalds Hill, between the two suburbs, is the first steady climb.
Past Lake Hayes Estate you cross Billie's Bridge over Hayes Creek and start the Middle Climb. A slip from 2024 still partly blocks the trail near the top: the way across is about a metre wide and uneven, and the Trust asks riders who are not confident to walk. The willow section beyond is particularly cold in winter and occasionally floods when the river is high.
Thompsons Hill is the longest climb, with switchback corners on the way down. Between Thompsons Hill and Morven Ferry it crosses a deer farm; cattle grids along the trail mostly have a gate beside them. It finishes at Morven Ferry Road, where it meets the Arrow River Bridges Trail to Gibbston or Arrowtown (on 18 September 2026 the Arrowtown direction is closed between Whitechapel Road and Tobins Bridge). On foot, Shotover Country and Lake Hayes Estate are the places to cut the day short.
How to get to the start
Park at Bridge Street or Frankton Beach for the Kawarau Falls Bridge start. Other entry points with parking are the Old Lower Shotover Bridge (each end), Shotover Country (Headley Drive and Hicks Road) and the end of Hayes Creek Road in Lake Hayes Estate. At Morven Ferry, parking is at the end of Arrow Junction Road, 350 m from the trailhead.
Orbus Route 3 stops at Douglas St about 390 m from the start, with Route 6 at Hilton and Route 4 at Kawarau Rd within 500 m; fares are $2.50 with a Bee Card. There is no Orbus stop within walking distance of Morven Ferry Road, so plan the return before you set off: the Trust points riders to its transport partners, and 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: Kawarau Falls Bridge, Frankton (directions (opens in a new tab)).
- Parking: Bridge Street and Frankton Beach (Queenstown Trails Trust)
- Finish: Morven Ferry Road.
- Parking: End of Arrow Junction Road, 350 m from the trailhead (Queenstown Trails Trust)
- By bus: Orbus Route 3 stops at Douglas St, about 390 m from the Kawarau Falls Bridge start, with Route 6 at Hilton and Route 4 at Kawarau Rd both within 500 m, but there is no Orbus stop within walking distance of the Morven Ferry Road 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 Twin Rivers Trail, but its network-wide heavy-rain warning covers mud, flooding, scour and washouts. The council's storm update of 28 August 2026 advises caution on Twin Rivers because of multiple slips and scours, and the Trust's trail page notes a 2024 slip near the top of the Middle Climb that still partly blocks the trail, with a narrow safe route across. Check Queenstown Trails Trust, Twin Rivers 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. Low sections beside the river flood occasionally when it is high, so check the Trust's alerts after rain. |
| Summer (December to February) | December to March reaches the mid-teens to the late 20s. Take water, sunscreen and a hat or visor, as the Trust advises; along the way, Shotover Country and Lake Hayes Estate have toilets and cafes, off the trail. |
| Autumn (March to May) | April and May run 8 to 16°C. The Trust rates autumn and spring as the best riding seasons, with comfortable temperatures and plenty of daylight. |
| Winter (June to August) | June to August runs from -2 to 10°C. The Trust warns the trail gets very frosty and cold, especially the willow section between the Middle Climb and Thompsons Hill, so wrap up well and carry waterproof layers. |
What to know before you go
- Check the Trust's alerts on the day. The council's 28 August 2026 storm update advises caution on Twin Rivers for multiple slips and scours; on 18 September 2026 the Trust warns of mud, flooding, scour and washouts across the network, and the Arrow River Bridges Trail from Morven Ferry towards Arrowtown is closed between Whitechapel Road and Tobins Bridge.
- The 2024 slip near the top of the Middle Climb leaves a narrow, uneven route about 1 m wide; walk your bike across if you are not confident.
- Low sections, including the willows between the Middle Climb and Thompsons Hill, flood occasionally when the river is high, and the Trust puts up warning signs in a big flood. Turn back rather than go through water on the track.
- Control your speed on the descents of Old MacDonalds Hill, the Middle Climb and Thompsons Hill, and slow down for other users on the shared Old School Road section.
- At 18.5 km with no bus at the Morven Ferry end, book return transport first and carry water, food, and warm and waterproof layers.
- The Trust allows dogs under control. Leave gates as you find them and do not disturb stock on the deer farm section before Morven Ferry.
For emergencies call 111. The Queenstown safety guide covers the rest before a long or winter walk.
Questions people ask
How long does the Twin Rivers Trail take?
The Trust gives 4 to 5 hours to walk the 18.5 km one way and 2 to 3 hours by bike.
Is the Twin Rivers Trail open?
On 18 September 2026 the Trust lists no closure, but the council's 28 August 2026 storm update advises caution for multiple slips and scours, a network-wide heavy-rain warning applies, and a 2024 slip near the top of the Middle Climb still leaves only a narrow route across. Check the Trust's alerts before you go.
Is the Twin Rivers Trail hard?
It is Grade 3 (intermediate). The gravel is smooth and mostly over 2 m wide, but there are three longer climbs: Old MacDonalds Hill, the Middle Climb and Thompsons Hill, which is the longest.
Where does the Twin Rivers Trail start and finish?
It starts at the Kawarau Falls Bridge in Frankton, with parking at Bridge Street and Frankton Beach, and finishes at Morven Ferry Road, with parking at the end of Arrow Junction Road 350 m away.
Can I do the Twin Rivers Trail without a car?
The start is close to buses, with Route 3 at Douglas St about 390 m away. The Morven Ferry finish has no Orbus stop within walking distance, and on 18 September 2026 the Arrow River Bridges Trail towards Arrowtown is closed between Whitechapel Road and Tobins Bridge, so arrange a pickup.
Are there toilets on the Twin Rivers Trail?
Not on the trail itself. Shotover Country and Lake Hayes Estate, reached by side trails, both have toilets, playgrounds and cafes.
Can I take my dog on the Twin Rivers Trail?
The Trust allows dogs under control. The trail crosses a deer farm before Morven Ferry, so leave gates as you find them and do not disturb stock.
Nearby walks
- Lake Hayes loop
8 km loop · 2 to 3 hours walking, about 1 hour by bike · Grade 3, intermediate
- Tucker Beach Trail
4.4 km one way · 1 hour 10 minutes walking, 30 minutes by bike, one way · 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
- Arrow River Bridges Trail
13.7 km one way · 2 to 3 hours by bike, 3 to 5 hours on foot · Grade 2, easy
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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.
- Queenstown bus routes & fares
All six Orbus routes, the $2.50 airport bus, Bee Card vs cash fares and the ferry.
- Queenstown safety: the numbers, the hills, the roads and the lake
111 and 105, the Land Safety Code, chains, the 10-degree lake, and why ACC is not travel insurance.
Sources: Queenstown Trails Trust, Twin Rivers Trail (opens in a new tab), Queenstown Trails Trust, trail alerts (site-wide alert bar) (opens in a new tab), DOC, Whakatipu basin day walks and bike trails brochure (March 2025) (opens in a new tab), Queenstown Trails Trust, FAQs (dogs, seasons, coverage) (opens in a new tab), Queenstown Trails Trust, understanding trail grades (opens in a new tab), Otago Regional Council, what you can take on the bus (bike racks) (opens in a new tab), Queenstown Trails Trust, Arrow River Bridges Trail (location of Tobins Bridge and Whitechapel Road) (opens in a new tab), Queenstown Trails Trust, news and stories list (checked for closure notices) (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.