LAKE HAWEA & WANAKA LAKESIDE TRAIL RIDE WITH SHUTTLE INCLUDED


Hawea River Swing bridge on our bike and shuttle ride
Crossing the Hawea Swing Bridge
Hawea River Trail
Riding along the Hawea River
Explore the Clutha with Wanaka Bike Tours
Explore the Clutha with Wanaka Bike Tours

BOOK YOUR CYCLE RIDE TODAY!

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USE PROMO CODE “SPRING2025” FOR 10% OFF. (ONLINE BOOKINGS, MON-FRI ONLY )

Our Bike & Shuttle options make it easy for you to explore Wanaka’s picturesque trails at your own pace. With trips available for all ages and abilities, we provide bike hire and transport to the start of your adventure, as well as local knowledge on everything there is to discover along the way. You’ll love how easy we make it for you to relax and enjoy the ride!

The unguided Lake Hawea to Wanaka ride is the most bang for your buck of any bike trip in Wanaka, which is why it is our most popular ride!

We shuttle you from downtown Wanaka to the neighbouring lakeside town of Hawea to head off on the Hawea River Track, an easy riverside amble set in mountainous surroundings. You’ll pass by Albert Town, where refreshments can be picked up before continuing along the mighty Clutha River towards its source at Lake Wanaka. A picturesque lakeside trail that will lead you back to Wanaka township, where ice cream and #thatwanakatree await.

Requires a MIN of 3 Passengers (Standard Bike) or MIN of 2 Passengers (E-Bike) to proceed. Single bookings will be waitlisted.

DOG FRIENDLY: Yes, we are a dog friendly operation. So long as your dog is used to being alongside moving bicycles, is friendly with strangers and will not interfere with other riders, then we welcome dogs into the shuttle vehicles at no extra charge.

UPGRADE OPTION – GLADSTONE TRACK

With the recent completion of the Gladstone Track, we are the only local cycle tour company to offer this 6.5km extension to the Lake Hawea River Trail for those wishing to ride a little further. After dropping off our guests for the start of their Lake Hawea ride, we will drive your group further on to Johns Creek, where you will start the Gladstone Track. This 6.5km extension will lead you into the Lake Hawea River Trail meaning your overall ride will be around 36.5km. The Gladstone Track is a fairly new flat graded track which follows the foreshore of Lake Hawea as well as open farmland. This extension can be booked under optional extra’s when you book your Lake Hawea River Trail ride.

WHAT WE PROVIDE

  • Shuttle from Wanaka to Hawea, trips leave daily at 10.30am from outside the Wanaka iSite (08:30am & 1:00pm also available in peak season)
  • Latest-model mountain bike, helmet & bike lock
  • Thorough trial briefing with guide route map
  • 30km ride / Grade 1-2 trail (Grade system 0 – 6)
  • Visit local cafes and patisserie as well as ‘The Hook’ (note: The Hook is open Sun-Wed)
  • Ride across the swing bridge!
  • See #thatwanakatree

WHAT YOU SHOULD BRING

  • Day bag/back pack
  • Plastic water bottle (fits inside bike bottle cage)
  • Shorts, T-shirt
  • Sturdy footwear (closed-toe)
  • Windbreaker jacket
  • Sunglasses/sunscreen
  • Camera

There is very little hill climbing to do on this ride. The first section from Hawea to Albert town is downstream. Some of the track does have ruts, therefore we recommend that children riding dismount and walk these short sections.

The Hawea River Track is a Starts off from Flora Dora area on the lakeside in Hawea, you follow the Hawea river downstream until Albert Town, here you can choose to carry on to Wanaka via the beautiful Outlet track or have a coffee at the bakery.


YOU NEED TO KNOW

Duration:Full-Day Hire (most people complete the ride in 3-4 hours)
Difficulty:Easy family-friendly , however, some rutted areas which require supervision.
Fitness level:
Distance:30km (36km with Gladstone Track add-on)
Terrain:Smooth easy mainly flat tracks most of the way, some rutted paths closer to Albert Town
If you would like help with your Shuttle booking please send us an email hello@wanakabiketours.co.nz