# Queenstown Trails from the Airport: Cycling for Groups > Queenstown Trails: more than 200 km of cycle trails, with rides that start outside Queenstown Airport. Notes for group planners. Source: https://www.explera.co.nz/blog/2026-10-28-queenstown-trails-cycling-from-airport-groups/ South Island 28 October 2026 · Explera Trade Desk · 3 min read ![A rider in a red jacket on an electric mountain bike on a gravel trail below snow-capped mountains](https://www.explera.co.nz/assets/photos/senior-woman-electric-mountain-bike_181624-42953-1400.webp) **Short answer:** Queenstown Trails is a network of more than 200 km of cycle and walking trails around the Whakatipu basin, part of Ngā Haerenga New Zealand Cycle Trails. On 10 September 2026 Queenstown Airport and the Queenstown Trails Trust announced a partnership; the airport says visitors can start a ride right outside the terminal. Explera DMC New Zealand plans group rides. This briefing is for travel agents, tour operators and incentive planners who want to add an easy active day to a Queenstown programme. ## What did the airport and the trust announce? - **A partnership.** Queenstown Airport and the Queenstown Trails Trust announced it on 10 September 2026, to support active travel, sustainable tourism and the trail network. - **Funding.** The airport will contribute NZ$20,000 a year towards developing the trails, and the two will promote the trails together. - **Links to the airport.** They will work to strengthen the links between the airport and the wider network, with safe active transport options for staff and travellers. - **A stated ambition.** The airport's chief executive, Shane O'Hare, said it wants to become the world's most bike-friendly airport. ![A rider on a mountain bike following a grassy path beside a lake](https://www.explera.co.nz/assets/photos/cyclist-riding-mountain-bike-toward-lake_23-2147870134-1400.webp) *A rider on a mountain bike following a grassy path beside a lake* ## Which rides suit a group? - **Twin Rivers Trail.** 18.5 km from the Kawarau Falls Bridge to Morven Ferry. The trust lists it at 2–3 hours by bike. - **Waiwhakaata Lake Hayes Trail.** An 8 km loop, about an hour by bike. The trust currently reports a partial closure: the bridge at the northern end is closed. - **Wharehuanui Trail.** 13 km one way between Arthurs Point and Arrowtown, 1.5–2 hours by bike. - **Not for beginners.** The trust grades the Jacks Point Trail as advanced (Grade 4) and does not recommend it for less experienced riders. - **Frankton Track.** While upgrades are under way, a detour along the sealed footpath beside Frankton Road is in place throughout 2026. ## What should agents plan for? - **Mixed abilities.** Most groups include people who rarely ride. E-bikes and a shorter, flatter route keep the group together. - **Closures change.** Several trails list closures or detours, so we check the trust's trail status at quotation and again before the ride. - **Weather.** Queenstown weather changes quickly. We keep a coach on standby and an indoor alternative in the plan. - **Longer rides.** Riders who want more can join the Queenstown trails to the Kawarau Gorge Trail and Central Otago. ![Two riders on electric bikes on a sealed road through dry hills](https://www.explera.co.nz/assets/photos/close-up-couple-with-electric-bikes_23-2149098675-1400.webp) *Two riders on electric bikes on a sealed road through dry hills* ## How Explera DMC New Zealand can help We are the [Queenstown DMC](https://www.explera.co.nz/destinations/queenstown/) for travel agents and tour operators, with [cycling and rail trails](https://www.explera.co.nz/services/cycling-and-rail-trails-new-zealand/), [group tours](https://www.explera.co.nz/services/group-tours-new-zealand/) and [MICE and incentive programmes](https://www.explera.co.nz/services/new-zealand-mice-dmc-services/). See our [Kawarau Gorge Trail briefing](https://www.explera.co.nz/blog/2026-10-20-kawarau-gorge-trail-cycling-groups/), our [Otago Central Rail Trail briefing](https://www.explera.co.nz/blog/2026-10-09-otago-central-rail-trail-cycling-groups/) and our [Queenstown Airport briefing](https://www.explera.co.nz/blog/2026-10-27-queenstown-airport-2026-27-airfield-works-groups/). ## FAQ **What is Queenstown Trails?** A network of more than 200 km of trails around the Whakatipu basin, part of Ngā Haerenga New Zealand Cycle Trails. **Can groups ride from Queenstown Airport?** The airport says visitors can start a trail ride right outside the terminal. **What did Queenstown Airport announce?** A partnership with the Queenstown Trails Trust on 10 September 2026, including NZ$20,000 a year towards the trails. **Which trail suits a mixed-ability group?** A shorter ride such as the Lake Hayes loop, on e-bikes, subject to the trust's current trail status. **Are any trails closed?** The trust reports closures and detours on some trails, so we check the status at quotation and before the ride. ## Sources - [Queenstown Airport and Queenstown Trails Trust forge a new connection](https://www.queenstownairport.co.nz/corporate/news-media/media-releases/queenstown-trails-partnership/), Queenstown Airport, 10 September 2026 - [Queenstown Trails](https://www.queenstowntrails.org.nz/), Queenstown Trails Trust, trail details and status read 27 October 2026 ## Talk to the trade desk Explera DMC New Zealand trade desk — b2b@explera.co.nz, WhatsApp +66 93 656 8090, B2B portal [b2b.expleradmc.com](https://b2b.expleradmc.com). Destinations in this briefing [Queenstown](https://www.explera.co.nz/destinations/queenstown/)[Arrowtown](https://www.explera.co.nz/destinations/arrowtown/)[Central Otago](https://www.explera.co.nz/destinations/central-otago/) Work with our New Zealand DMC [New Zealand DMC](https://www.explera.co.nz/)[New Zealand DMC services](https://www.explera.co.nz/services/) ## Talk to the trade desk *Your New Zealand DMC partner* From a single FIT to series groups and full MICE programmes, every New Zealand proposal is costed by hand against your brief at net rates. Request a quote with the form, or send your requirements as a new email with a descriptive subject line. Selling this to clients? See the service page: [Cycling & rail trails](https://www.explera.co.nz/services/cycling-and-rail-trails-new-zealand/) [Request a quote](https://www.explera.co.nz/contact-us/#quote) [Register on the B2B platform](https://b2b.expleradmc.com/web/signup) [b2b@explera.co.nz](mailto:b2b@explera.co.nz) [WhatsApp +66 93 656 8090](https://wa.me/66936568090) ## More from the trade blog. *Keep reading* [All posts](https://www.explera.co.nz/blog/) [Subscribe via RSS](https://www.explera.co.nz/blog/rss.xml) - [Sauvignon Blanc New Zealand 2027: Marlborough Groups](https://www.explera.co.nz/blog/2026-10-28-sauvignon-blanc-new-zealand-2027-marlborough-groups/) - [State of Origin 2027 Auckland: Eden Park Groups Guide](https://www.explera.co.nz/blog/2026-10-28-state-of-origin-2027-auckland-eden-park-groups/) - [Abel Tasman Coast Track: Groups Guide](https://www.explera.co.nz/blog/2026-10-27-abel-tasman-coast-track-great-walk-groups/)