Queenstown Trail network launches luxury accommodation and spa

Gibbston Valley Lodge & Spa has opened offering Queenstown Trail cyclists a new destination to experience among New Zealand’s prestigious wine growing region.

Gibbston Valley Lodge & Spa offers 24 boutique villas, a landmark lodge for dining and intimate wine experiences, and a private spa, giving trail riders a five-star layover on their journey.

Greg Hunt, Chief Executive Gibbston Valley Lodge & Spa advised “Encouraging guests of the Winery to explore our region by bicycle has always been a core endeavour of ours with the onsite Bike Centre, but with the new Lodge & Spa premises we can offer an incredibly luxurious level of respite to their journey.”

Gibbston Valley Lodge & Spa has 130 kilometres of off-road biking trails at its doorstep – with the Gibbston River Trail section of the Queenstown Trail, one of ‘The Great Rides’, passing right past the property – and is set to become the beating heart of Central Otago’s burgeoning map of cycling trails.  

Queenstown Trails Trust Chief Executive Mark Williams noted “Central Otago’s network of off-road biking trails is steadily expanding, including the developing linkage between Clyde and Cromwell and future trails planned to connect Bannockburn and Gibbston, which will effectively link The Queenstown Trail with Central Otago’s iconic Rail Trail.

“With Gibbston Valley at the very heart of this network, it’s exciting to have the Lodge & Spa open - adding a dimension of luxury for riders like we’ve never seen before”.  

Gibbston Valley Lodge & Spa offers riders treatments, fine dining and uninterrupted rest and relaxation before embarking on the next day’s adventure.  

If it isn’t taking part in one of The Great Rides – a two-day or four-day cycling expedition throughout Queenstown, Arrowtown and Gibbston – then it’s the gentle pedal and relaxed pace that attracts so many riders of all skill level to Gibbston.

Ride a return loop from the Lodge & Spa to five neighbouring vineyards on a river trail that showcases the best of Queenstown wine country – or take one of the Lodge’s complimentary shuttles into Arrowtown for a one-way 16km trail ride back to Gibbston Valley Lodge & Spa, passing over the historic Kawarau Suspension Bridge, through Kawarau Gorge and into the ‘Valley of the Vines’ for the ultimate wine region day trip.  

Gibbston Valley Lodge & Spa’s Bike Centre has 35 bikes available for guests to hire and a range to suit all levels of riding abilities, including e-bikes and hardtail bikes.  

With an onsite repair shop and bike mechanic the Lodge is fully equipped to provide servicing and trouble shoot any flat tyres along the way.  

Guests of the Gibbston Valley Lodge & Spa are offered free hardtail bike rental during their stay.

For further information go to https://www.gibbstonvalleylodgeandspa.com/.

Images: A picturesque pit-stop overlooking the Kawarau Gorge, one of many along the Gibbston River Trail (top) and (below) an aerial shot of the incredible Gibbston landscape where biking trails wind through this stunning Queenstown wine country.