Start at Frankton Beach with views across Lake Wakatipu. Cross the historic bridge, follow the trail through the wild Shotover Gorge, and ride through an actual 19th-century gold mining tunnel carved by hand. Then coast back into Queenstown via Arthur's Point. Pure adventure, with history at every turn.
✓ All fitness levels · ✓ Transport included · ✓ No booking or hidden fees
The Ride
The Hugo Gold Mining Tunnel Ride combines two contrasting Queenstown landscapes into one unforgettable day. It begins gently at Frankton Beach — calm lake views, the Remarkables reflecting on the water, and easy gravel underfoot as you cross the historic bridge and head toward the gorge.
As you enter the Shotover Gorge, the scenery shifts dramatically. The Shotover River was once called "the richest gold river in the world" — in the 1860s, prospectors panned millions of pounds of gold from these waters. The Hugo Tunnel is their legacy: carved entirely by hand through solid schist rock, it's a narrow, pitch-black passage that your lights barely scratch. Ducking into the cool darkness mid-ride is one of those genuine New Zealand moments you can't manufacture. Then the gorge opens up again, the trail rolls back toward Queenstown, and Arthur's Point delivers a final panoramic finish with the Shotover River roaring below.
The Route
Lake views first, gorge and gold rush tunnel second. The shuttle drops you at Frankton Beach — the e-bike does the rest.
The Hugo Tunnel isn't a theme park attraction — it's a real artefact of the Central Otago gold rush, cut through solid schist rock by miners chasing fortune in the 1860s. When it was built, the Shotover River was producing more gold per metre than almost anywhere else on earth.
✓ All fitness levels · ✓ Transport included · ✓ No booking or hidden fees
Three Bridges, One Ride
The Hugo Tunnel ride takes you past three iconic bridges spanning the Shotover and Kawarau rivers. Two you'll ride right past — one you'll ride across.
The historic bridge by the Hilton — you ride right past it as the trail follows the river out of Frankton. Mountains in every direction, the Kawarau River below. A stunning early marker that the scenery is about to get even better.
Ride past · Kawarau River
Deep in the gorge, you ride right past the Old Shotover Bridge as the trail hugs the river. Jet boats rip through below, schist cliffs tower above. One of the best photo spots on the entire ride.
Ride past · Shotover River
This one you cross. A suspension bridge high above the Shotover River — walk your bike across and try not to look down. It sways, it creaks, and the view straight down to the turquoise water is unforgettable. The highlight crossing of the ride.
You cross this one · Shotover River✓ All fitness levels · ✓ Transport included · ✓ No booking or hidden fees
Along the Route
From calm lakeside to wild gorge, the Hugo Tunnel Ride packs more variety into a single day than almost any other trail in Queenstown.
The highlight of the ride. Carved by hand through solid schist rock in the 1860s gold rush, this narrow tunnel is pitch dark and properly cool inside — a genuine piece of New Zealand history you ride straight through, not around. One of the most memorable moments on any Queenstown trail.
⛏ Gold rush relic · Ride-through · Bring lightsThe shuttle drops you here — shallow swimming, BBQ facilities, and the Remarkables reflected perfectly in Lake Wakatipu. A calm, scenic start before the gorge adventure begins.
🚐 Shuttle drop-off · Swim spotCross from the lakeside into the hinterland via a historic bridge — the first real signal that the landscape is about to change. Views in both directions over the Kawarau River.
📸 Photo spotThe dramatic centrepiece of the ride. Sheer schist walls tower above the river as it rushes below. The Shotover was once the world's richest gold-bearing river — the cliffs hold millions in untapped history.
🥇 Richest gold river in the world (1860s)The adventure hub at the end of the gorge section. Watch Shotover Jet boats launch from the riverbank, grab a well-earned drink at the Shotover Country Pub, and soak in the final views before the easy run back into Queenstown.
🍺 Pub stop · Jet boat views · Trail finish areaCentral Otago's iconic metamorphic rock lines the gorge walls — golden, layered, and ancient. The same rock the miners carved the Hugo Tunnel through. Hawks and kea circle above on good days.
🪨 Geological wonder✓ All fitness levels · ✓ Transport included · ✓ No booking or hidden fees
Fuel the ride
From lakeside craft beer at the start to Queenstown's oldest gold rush pub at the finish — this trail is stacked with great stops. The e-motor means you don't have to choose between a second pint and getting home.
A restored 1869 NZ Railways shipping office right on the marina waterfront. Open from 8am — blueberry French toast, chorizo scramble, wild mushrooms on sourdough, and specialty coffee. The perfect pre-ride breakfast.
Queenstown's first craft brewery — a red corrugated iron shed at the marina with 12 taps. Try the Mischievous Kea IPA or Queenstown Lager. The best start to a trail day (or the best way to end one heading back).
European-inspired sharing plates — oysters, burrata, lamb, salmon parfait — and 40+ Central Otago wines. On the waterfront at the marina. Good for a longer lunch before the afternoon ride.
A local off-the-beaten-path gem inside a print shop on Gorge Road. Retro decor, grab-and-go bites, and widely praised for one of the best breakfast baps in town — runny egg, aioli or HP sauce. Blink and you'll miss it.
A Mediterranean deli and food market — excellent for building a gorge picnic. Grab cheeses, cured meats, olives, and fresh bread to eat by the river when the trail opens up. Open Mon–Sat 8am–6:30pm, Sun 10am–6pm.
A Queenstown institution on Gorge Road, specialising in Central Otago lamb. More of an evening destination — but worth knowing about if you want to round off the day properly back along the same road.
Built in 1863 during the gold rush — the same era as the Hugo Tunnel. Queenstown's oldest hospitality venue. Stone building, large beer garden, fire pit in winter, 26 taps including handpulls. Burgers, pizza, pies, and smoked salmon. The natural end-of-ride reward.
Views over the Shotover River and Skippers Canyon, 10 craft beer taps, and what many consider the best pizza in Queenstown. Dog-friendly inside and out. Open 7 days from 11am. The post-tunnel beer tastes earned here.
Right on the banks of the Shotover River by the historic Cavells Bridge. Fresh baked food, outdoor seating with mountain and river views. Open from 8am in summer — good for a mid-trail coffee stop or a post-ride wind-down.
Your Day
Collect your e-bike from Queenstown, get fitted, and the shuttle heads to Frankton Beach. Arrive early? Grab breakfast at The Boat Shed Cafe at the marina first — it's right on the route.
Hit the beach first — the lake is calm, the Remarkables are out. If you skipped breakfast, Altitude Brewing opens early and does food at the marina. You'll ride right past the Kawarau Bridge by the Hilton — mountains in every direction — as the scenery shifts and you leave the lake behind.
The trail drops into the gorge and the river appears below. You'll pass the Old Shotover Bridge and then cross the swing bridge high above the river — it sways, it creaks, and the view straight down to the turquoise water is unforgettable. Sheer schist walls close in, the air cools, and the Shotover rushes alongside. This is the gold rush heartland.
The trail dips into the hillside and the entrance appears. Switch on your lights — it's properly dark inside. The tunnel is narrow, carved from raw rock, cool, and completely otherworldly. Stop for a moment in the middle. Then ride out into the sun.
The gorge opens up and Arthur's Point delivers. Three great options: Gantley's Tavern (built 1863, same era as the tunnel, 26 taps), Canyon Brewing (best pizza in Queenstown, river views), or Cavells Cafe for something quieter on the riverbank. The e-motor got you here — the pint is earned.
The Hugo Tunnel ride finishes at Arthur's Point — the exact spot where Shotover Jet boats launch into the canyon at 80km/h. You'll see them ripping past below you on the trail. Whizzy riders get 20% off Shotover Jet — ride the gorge on two wheels, then ride it on water.
✓ All fitness levels · ✓ Transport included · ✓ No booking or hidden fees
Frankton Beach to Arthur's Point via a 160-year-old gold mining tunnel. One of Queenstown's most unique e-bike days.
BOOK THE WINERY RIDE INSTEADFrom $75 per person · Full day from $120
✓ All fitness levels · ✓ Transport included · ✓ No booking or hidden fees
Common questions
Bike lights are included with every hire — the front light is bright enough for the tunnel. If you have your own headlamp, bring it for extra atmosphere. The tunnel is genuinely dark, which is half the fun.
The Frankton Beach and return sections are Grade 2 (easy). The Shotover Gorge Trail section is Grade 3 — more technical in places, with some loose gravel and narrower track. The e-bike motor makes the climbs very manageable. Recommended for riders who are comfortable on a bike and not nervous about rougher terrain.
The tunnel is a relatively short passage — the thrill is in the darkness and the history rather than the distance. It takes 1–2 minutes to ride through depending on pace. Most riders stop for a moment inside, take it in, then continue.
Pickup from your accommodation or the Whizzy shuttle stop in central Queenstown. The shuttle heads to Frankton Beach to start the ride. At the end, either ride back or call the team for a pickup from Arthur's Point if you've had enough.
The Shotover Gorge is sheltered and significantly cooler than open trail on hot days — the schist walls provide good shade and the tunnel is always cold inside. In rain, the gorge walls provide some natural protection. We ride in most weather — contact us if conditions are marginal and we'll advise.
Coming soon
The Hugo Gold Mining Tunnel Ride is launching in approximately 1 month. Drop your email to be the first to know when it goes live.
In the meantime: Book the Gibbston Wineries Ride
Queenstown Trails Trust
Tiaki Promise
