Roxburgh Gorge Trail: Alexandra to Roxburgh Dam by Bike and Boat

Overview

The Roxburgh Gorge Trail is one of New Zealand's most visually striking day rides. It follows the Clutha Mata-au River and Lake Roxburgh between Alexandra and the Roxburgh Hydro Dam, under bluffs up to 350 m high, past schist huts, stone water races and gold-rush ruins, with willows and wild thyme on the slopes.

Allow 5–6 hours for the full journey: 21 km of riding plus a 13 km jet boat tour through the gorge's roadless middle section. The trail is smooth and wide, mostly Grade 2 (easy), with some gentle climbs that push it to Grade 3. It suits riders of most ages and abilities.

Highlights

• Rugged bluffs and rock formations, and the Narrows, an ancient rock slide
• Gold-rush relics: rock bivvies, huts and Mrs Heron's mud-mortar cottage
• A jet boat history tour through the hidden reaches of the gorge
• Roxburgh Dam, opened in 1956
• Birdlife including the kārearea (NZ falcon)
• Links to the Clutha Gold Trail and the Otago Central Rail Trail

Trail sections

• Alexandra → Doctors Point: Starts by the Blue Bridge, beside the piers of the 1882 suspension bridge. It passes Frenchman's Point, Ketts Gully and Butchers Creek, then a zigzag and boardwalk through the Narrows.
• The boat tour: Guides share stories of the sluicings, the 14 Mile electric dredge and other hidden sights.
• Shingle Creek → Roxburgh Dam: A climb to Elbow Creek, then wide views over Lake Roxburgh and switchbacks to the dam lookout. It ends at Commissioners Flat, the start of the Clutha Gold Trail.

Many shuttle operators suggest starting at Roxburgh Dam and riding back to Alexandra, so you don't have to rush to meet a final pickup.

Return rides (no boat needed)

Mountain bikers can also reach the Flat Top Hill Conservation Area trails via the Sphinx Rock trail, 1 km before Doctors Point.

Need to know

• Book the boat and any shuttles in advance, as they don't run to a timetable. Boat operators charge extra for e-bikes.
• Bike: Almost any bike will do: hybrid, mountain, gravel or e-bike.
• Trail Tag and Passport: Support the trail with a Trail Tag ($25 per person or $50 per family for 12 months, or $10 for a day) and collect plaque rubbings in the $15 Trail Passport.
• No food or water in the gorge. Stock up in Alexandra or Roxburgh, and carry plenty in summer.
• Mobile coverage: Patchy to non-existent away from the ends.
• Toilets: At both ends and at both jetties.
• Dogs and horses: Not allowed.

Getting there

Alexandra is just over an hour from Queenstown Airport and about 2.5 hours from Dunedin. Bike hire is available in Alexandra and Roxburgh. Book ahead for January to April.