You set off from Queenstown and head for Gibbston Valley – but how you travel is entirely up to you. Our audio-guided itinerary shows you the way, whether by car or bike, with plenty of freedom to explore. Here’s a sample route to inspire your adventure:
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Depart Queenstown: Start your tour mid-morning after a hearty breakfast in town. Head out of Queenstown on SH6 (Frankton Road) following signs for Cromwell. Around Frankton, you’ll begin to see vineyards lining the road. Sit back in your car (or pedal away on your bike) and hit play on the Taste Wine Guides app. The first segment might introduce you to the region’s geography and vineyard history as you drive.
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Arrowtown Detour (Optional): For a taste of local history, detour through historic Arrowtown (a few minutes off SH6). Its charming main street and autumn leaf show (if in season) are worth a quick stop. Your app will note this optional side trip, but if you’d rather drive on, the tour will simply resume once you’re back on SH6.
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Kawarau Gorge: As you turn off towards Gibbston (via SH6/Arrow Junction Road), the road winds along the stunning Kawarau River Gorge. Here the audio guide highlights the dramatic scenery – keep an eye out for historic landing sheds and the river below (maybe even a bungee jumper from the old Kawarau Bridge!).
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Gibbston Valley Wineries: Now on Kawarau Gorge Road, you’ll enter Gibbston Valley. This is where your wine trail truly begins. The app will navigate you from one winery to the next. Your stops might include Gibbston Valley Winery (big cave tours), Chard Farm, Peregrine, Rockburn, and others depending on your route. At each, the audio plays a story as soon as you arrive. For example, upon pulling into a winery parking lot, you’ll hear details about the vineyard’s signature wines and heritage. Enjoy tastings at your leisure; the guide is paused until you drive away.
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Flexibility Between Stops: Between wineries, the app gives practical directions and may suggest scenic viewpoints. See a pull-out with a stunning view of the valley? Stop and the GPS will pause the audio until you’re ready. Over lunch at a winery bistro or picnic spot, review the next segment on your phone – you’re never left wondering what’s next.
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Return or Continuation: After your final tasting, you can either head back to Queenstown the same way (with the app guiding you through any missed commentary) or continue exploring. Some travelers choose to loop through Cromwell on the return drive to sample more vineyards or stop at a local orchard. The flexibility is yours; the app’s map and audio simply follow you.
Throughout this itinerary, the audio guide is your co-pilot. It uses GPS to know exactly where you are and automatically shares insights at every key point tastewineguides.com. At any moment, you can pause the guidance, take a detour to a viewpoint, or even decide to skip ahead. Because there are no group deadlines, you might spend hours on one beautiful winery veranda or ride to the next at speed – the tour adapts to your schedule.
Remember, this is just a suggestion. Queenstown and Gibbston have dozens of vineyards, so feel free to create your own mix of stops. With the Taste Wine Guides audio itinerary, you’ll never get lost or miss an interesting fact. Each mile of the journey is enriched with local stories and wine lore – you’ll arrive back in Queenstown feeling like a wine country insider. Now start your engine (or clip in your pedals) and go explore this spectacular wine route!
Vineyards to Vistas: Join an on-demand audio-guided wine day trip from Queenstown to Gibbston. Taste local wines, enjoy panoramic mountain views, and explore at your own pace.
