You don’t need to be a mountain biker to experience some of the best cycling in the world. New Zealand’s South Island is home to several of the country’s official “Great Rides” — wide, well-graded trails through some of the most spectacular scenery on the planet, designed for riders of every age and fitness level.
If you’re travelling by campervan, these trails are perfect: you park up in a small town, hire a bike (or e-bike) for the day from a local operator, ride a section of trail, and they’ll often shuttle you and your gear back to where you started. No need to carry bikes, no technical skills required, and no rush — your accommodation is already sorted.
Here are the best South Island trails for relaxed, scenic riding.
Otago Central Rail Trail — New Zealand’s Original Great Ride
Distance: 152km (ride any section) | Grade: 1 (easiest) | Where: Clyde to Middlemarch, Central Otago
This is where it all started, and it’s still the gold standard for easy cycling in New Zealand. The trail follows a disused railway line, so the gradients are gentle and the surface is wide and well-maintained. You’ll ride through golden tussock landscapes, old gold-mining towns, historic tunnels and viaducts, and past vineyards offering cellar door tastings.
You don’t need to ride all 152km — most visitors pick one or two sections (a few hours each) as day rides. Towns like Clyde, Alexandra, Omakau and Ranfurly all have bike hire and cafés, and several local operators offer shuttle services so you can ride one-way and get a lift back to your van.
Good to know: book bike hire and shuttles in advance during peak season (December–March).
Lake Dunstan Trail — New Zealand’s Newest Great Ride
Distance: 55km | Grade: 2-3 | Where: Cromwell to Clyde, Central Otago
Opened in 2022, this trail follows the turquoise waters of Lake Dunstan through the dramatic Cromwell Gorge, with a striking suspension bridge and boardwalks along the cliffs. It connects directly to the Otago Central Rail Trail, so the two can easily be combined if you’re staying in the area for a few days.
Roxburgh Gorge & Clutha Gold Trails
Distance: ~135km combined | Grade: 1-2 | Where: Alexandra to Lawrence, Central Otago
These two connect to form a relaxed multi-day route along the Clutha River — New Zealand’s largest river by volume. The standout feature: a section of the Roxburgh Gorge Trail isn’t accessible by bike, so operators run a jet boat to cover that stretch, which is honestly half the fun. Both trails are easy and beginner-friendly, winding past orchards, vineyards and old gold-mining relics.
Queenstown Trail
Distance: 130km (network of connected paths) | Grade: 2-4 | Where: Queenstown, Arrowtown, Gibbston
If your route takes you through Queenstown, this is an unmissable network of trails connecting the town to Arrowtown and the Gibbston wine region. Ride along the Kawarau and Shotover rivers, through historic gold-rush Arrowtown, and finish with a glass of Pinot Noir at one of Gibbston’s cellar doors — many of which are right on the trail. Sections are well-graded and suitable for casual riders, with tougher options if you want more of a challenge.
Alps 2 Ocean — From the Mountains to the Sea
Distance: 315km (ride any section) | Grade: Easy-Intermediate | Where: Aoraki/Mt Cook to Ōamaru
New Zealand’s longest Great Ride, running from the foot of Aoraki/Mt Cook all the way to the Pacific coast at Ōamaru. The early sections around Lake Pūkaki and Lake Ōhau are jaw-dropping — turquoise glacial lakes against snow-capped peaks — and the trail is broken into nine manageable sections, so you can pick a day ride that suits your fitness and time. Twizel and Lake Ōhau make great basecamps if you’re travelling by campervan.
West Coast Wilderness Trail
Distance: 133km | Grade: 2-3 | Where: Greymouth to Ross, West Coast
A completely different landscape: lush rainforest, wetlands, rivers and wild beaches. The trail links old gold-mining tracks, water races and railway lines from the West Coast’s mining era. If you’re driving the West Coast route between Franz Josef and Christchurch, this is a great way to break up the journey with something other than driving.
Tips for Cycling NZ’s South Island by Campervan
- You don’t need to bring bikes. Every trail listed here has local hire operators — including e-bikes, which are hugely popular with riders who want the scenery without the effort of the hills. E-bike hire typically costs a bit more than a standard bike but is well worth it for longer trails.
- Park your van, ride, come back. Most trail towns have parking suitable for campervans, and many freedom camping or low-cost camping spots are within easy reach of trailheads — perfect if your van is solar-powered and self-sufficient (no need to rush back to a powered site).
- One-way rides are easy. Local shuttle operators are used to moving cyclists (and sometimes their vans) between start and end points. If you’re not sure, ask at the local bike hire shop — they do this every day.
- Book ahead in summer. December to March is peak season, and popular bike hire slots and shuttles fill up — especially on the Otago Central Rail Trail and around Queenstown.
- Combine with wine and food. Several of these trails (Queenstown, Otago Central, Clutha Gold) pass directly through wine regions — a relaxed ride followed by a cellar door lunch is one of the best ways to spend a day in Central Otago.
Planning Your Route
If cycling is a highlight of your trip, it’s worth building a few extra days into your South Island route around Central Otago and Queenstown — this region has the highest concentration of easy, scenic trails in the country, all close together and well set up for campervan travellers.
Not sure how to fit a cycling day or two into your itinerary? Send us a message — we know these roads and trails well, and we’re happy to help you plan a route that mixes driving, riding and freedom camping.
Chat with us on WhatsApp — we reply the same day.
