Queenstown: Guided E-Bike Tour with Winery Visits & Tastings

Queenstown’s wine country is best understood at cycling pace: rivers beside the trail, old suspension bridges under your wheels, and Gibbston’s vineyards drawing closer as you ride. This six-hour tour pairs an easy off-road e-bike route with visits to two small wineries, so you get a day outdoors and a proper taste of Central Otago.

I like two things in particular: the route joins Arrowtown’s gold-mining past with the Kawarau Bridge, the site of the world’s first commercial bungy jumping operation, and the wine stops are hosted at family-owned wineries rather than treated as a quick tasting counter. The pedal-assist bikes also make the ride more approachable if you can ride a bike but do not want a hard workout.

One thing to weigh is the format: this is a six-hour outing, and the route uses gravel trails and suspension bridges. You need to be comfortable on a bicycle, bring closed-toe shoes and a jacket, and be happy spending much of the day outdoors.

• Ride through Arrowtown and Gibbston: See gold-rush-era streets, river paths, and Central Otago vines in one trip.
• Cross the Kawarau Bridge: Stop at the historic bridge associated with commercial bungy jumping.
• Use a pedal-assist e-bike: The bike helps you cover more ground, but you still need to know how to ride.
• Taste wine at two boutique wineries: Brennan Wines and Mt Rosa Wines host tastings, with an artisan platter at Mt Rosa.
• Keep the group small: The tour is limited to eight people and includes transport, a guide, water bottle, backpack, and photos.

From Queenstown to Arrowtown by shuttle

The day begins with transport from the Queenstown area to the tour’s Frankton base at Country Lane retail village. The meeting address is 26 Hansen Road, and a shuttle is available. Share your address when arranging pickup so the operator can confirm the closest pickup point and time. Allow extra time for travel to and from the tour location.

This transfer is useful because the ride finishes in wine country, not where it starts. Having transport included means you can enjoy the tastings without needing to plan how to get back to Queenstown or carry purchased bottles on the bike. The operator collects any wine you buy during the tour.

Once you reach the base, you get a Moustache e-bike and safety equipment. The tour is capped at eight participants, which gives the guide room to check that people are comfortable with the bike before setting off. English and Russian guides are available.

Arrowtown’s gold-mining streets and river paths

Arrowtown is the first major stop, with about 105 minutes set aside for a guided visit and bike ride. The town’s gold-mining past gives the morning a strong sense of place before the route opens onto the river. The schedule combines time to explore with riding, so expect a guided outing rather than a long, independent wander through town.

From Arrowtown, the route follows the Arrow and Kawarau rivers. The water and surrounding hills are a big part of the appeal, and the changing scenery gives you plenty to look at without needing to push hard on the pedals. E-bikes are pedal-assisted: you still ride, but the extra help makes it easier to cover ground and focus on the route.

The trail is described as Grade 2, an easy off-road track on gravel. That is reassuring for a casual cyclist, but it is not the same as a paved city path. You should be able to steer and brake with confidence on an uneven surface, and the tour requires every rider to know how to ride a bike.

Some riders have enjoyed the route as beginners, and families have taken part together. That is encouraging, but ability and comfort vary. If you are unsure about riding on gravel or managing a bike on slopes, ask the operator before booking rather than relying on the motor to solve every challenge.

The Kawarau Bridge and a pause in local history

The stop at Kawarau Bridge Historic Reserve lasts about 20 minutes. This is the world’s first commercial bungy jumping bridge, a striking piece of local adventure history set above the river. Even if you have no interest in jumping, it is worth pausing to take in the bridge and its setting.

This stop also breaks up the ride with a clear point of interest. The tour is not only a way to get from one winery to another; the bridge connects the region’s outdoor reputation with a real site you can see up close. Bring your camera, but keep an eye on the group’s timing.

Suspension bridges are part of the route, so expect some movement underfoot and a different feel from riding on a straight, wide road. The guide checks in as the terrain changes, and the small group size can help keep the pace manageable. Still, if bridges make you uneasy, it is sensible to ask how the crossing works before the tour.

Gibbston Valley on two wheels

After the bridge, the ride continues into Gibbston, with about an hour set aside for guided cycling. Here, the emphasis shifts from gold-mining history to vineyards. Rows of vines spread across the valley, and seeing them from the trail gives you a better sense of how extensive the wine-growing area is than a quick drive past a cellar door.

Your guide can explain vine growing and winemaking along the way. That context is useful because the tasting stops then feel connected to the land you have just ridden through. You are not simply arriving at a winery for a drink; you have spent the day moving through the region that produces it.

Keep water and a jacket handy. The operator provides a water bottle and backpack, but you should bring water and weather-appropriate clothing yourself. Conditions can change during an outdoor outing, and the tour information specifically recommends a jacket and closed-toe shoes.

Two family-owned wineries, not just a tasting room

The final part of the day brings two boutique winery visits. At Brennan Wines, the schedule allows about an hour for a wine tasting. The stop is paired with a visit to Otago Viticulture and Oenology, adding a chance to learn about the region’s wine industry as well as sample the local product.

Mt Rosa Wines is the second winery, with another hour for lunch and tasting. An artisan platter is included, making this more than a standing flight of wine before heading back. The two stops give you time to hear about the wineries and taste in a more personal setting, with views over the vineyards as part of the occasion.

The tastings are pre-organized, so you do not need to arrange appointments yourself. For anyone who enjoys wine but would rather not spend the whole day driving between cellar doors, the bike ride is a practical and scenic way to link the visits. If you are under 18, wine tastings are replaced with a non-alcoholic drink and fries.

You do not need to buy wine to make the stops worthwhile. But if you find a bottle you like, the operator collects purchases, which saves you from carrying them along the route. That small detail matters on a cycling day, especially after the tasting and platter.

What the $194 price covers

At $194 per person, this is more than a bike rental with a couple of tasting fees added on. The price includes a guided six-hour outing, use of a Moustache e-bike and safety equipment, transport to and from accommodation in the Queenstown area, two pre-arranged tastings, an artisan platter, a backpack, a water bottle, and collection of any wine you buy.

Photos and unedited video footage are also included. That means you can enjoy the ride without stopping constantly to document it yourself, though you should not expect professionally edited film. The tour’s strongest value is the combination of transport, guiding, cycling, wine, and food in one plan.

It is worth comparing the price with what you would spend arranging separate transport, a bike, winery visits, and lunch. The cost will be less attractive if you do not drink wine or have no interest in cycling. But if you want a full day that combines scenery, local history, and tastings without driving yourself, the bundle makes practical sense.

The duration is six hours, though the listed activity segments do not account for every minute of the day. Treat it as a substantial outing rather than a quick morning ride. Starting times depend on availability, and you can cancel up to 24 hours ahead for a full refund or reserve now and pay later.

Who will enjoy the ride, and who should think twice

I would recommend this tour to people who can ride a bike and want to see more of the area than they could comfortably cover on foot. The motor assist makes the distances more manageable, while the guide adds local context and keeps the group together. You do not need to be a keen cyclist, but you should be willing to ride on gravel.

It also suits couples, friends, and families who want an active day with a relaxed finish. The group limit of eight helps the outing feel more personal, and guides including Ksena, Tom, Jordan, Shay, and Amber have led rides. The guide’s role is especially valuable for riders with different confidence levels: there have been outings where a slower rider could take their time while others rode ahead with a co-guide.

Choose another plan if you cannot ride a bicycle, dislike uneven surfaces, or want a day focused only on wine. The ride is a central part of the experience, not a short transfer between tastings. And while the route is classed as easy, easy does not mean no balance, attention, or effort.

Should you book this Queenstown e-bike and wine tour?

Book it if you want a varied day that moves from Arrowtown’s gold-mining story to Gibbston’s vineyards, with the Kawarau Bridge and river trails along the way. The two winery visits, included platter, and transport make the $194 price easier to justify, particularly if you value a small guided group and do not want to organize the pieces yourself.

Skip it if you are not comfortable riding a bike or would rather spend the day at wineries without an outdoor route. For everyone else, this is a well-rounded way to see the countryside, learn a little about local wine, and enjoy a tasting without handing over the keys to the driver.

FAQ

How long does the tour last?

The tour lasts six hours, including transport, cycling, sightseeing, and winery visits.

Where does the tour start?

The tour starts at 26 Hansen Road in Frankton, at Country Lane retail village. A shuttle is available from the Queenstown area, with the closest pickup point and time confirmed after you provide your address.

How many people can join?

The group is limited to eight participants.

Do I need to know how to ride a bike?

Yes. All riders must be able to ride a bicycle. The route is Grade 2, an easy off-road gravel trail, and the bikes are pedal-assisted.

Which wineries are included?

The tour visits Brennan Wines and Mt Rosa Wines for hosted tastings.

Is lunch included?

An artisan platter is included, and the Mt Rosa stop includes lunch and a wine tasting.

What happens if I am under 18?

Wine tastings are replaced with a non-alcoholic drink and fries.

What should I bring?

Bring water, a jacket, and closed-toe shoes. A backpack and water bottle are provided for the day.

Are transport and wine purchases handled?

Transport to and from accommodation in the Queenstown area is included. The operator also collects wine you purchase during the tour.

What languages are available, and can I cancel?

Guides are available in English and Russian. You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund.