What is there to do in Gibbston, Queenstown?
Discover Gibbston: A Blend of Vineyards, Trails, Stars & Adventure
Tucked between Queenstown and Arrowtown, Gibbston, fondly known as the “Valley of the Vines” or "Gibbston Valley" is where world-class Pinot Noir meets dramatic landscapes, and even the night sky has something to say. Famous for its pioneering wineries, the winding Gibbston River Trail, and being home to New Zealand’s first International Dark Sky Park, this valley invites both relaxation and exploration.
Here’s how to make the most of your Gibbston getaway, with highlights of the region’s standout experiences:
Wine Tastings & Food Options
Kinross
Kinross has earned a Qualmark Wine Tourism Award 2024 for its outstanding hospitality and wine experiences, in addition to holding a Qualmark Gold status (an official quality assurance organisation that serves as a trusted guide to high-standard travel experiences throughout New Zealand).
Kinross is home to five boutique wine labels: Hawkshead, High Garden, Valli, Wild Irishman, and Kinross’s own range, brought together at one welcoming cellar door. Making us the destination for Central Otago Wine. Each guided tasting, you get the chance to try wine from these producers, and our expert wine advisers guide you through each tasting, perfect for those who know nothing about wine, are connoisseurs, or just want to learn about the region.
The on-site bistro offers seasonal meals, platters, snacks, and a kids' menu, making it a relaxed spot for couples, families, and groups. We are also 100% Dog-friendly and family-friendly. Wine and beer flights are also available for those who want a more casual wine experience. Live music is on all summer time from 3-5 pm.
Cottage-style accommodation is available on site. Guests staying at Kinross enjoy a complimentary wine tasting included in their stay.
Mt Rosa
Mt Rosa offers a laid-back and friendly wine experience. Known for its generous hospitality and welcoming atmosphere, guests are encouraged to linger over tastings, enjoy a glass of wine, or share a platter. The cellar door and kitchen that are open for lunch provide a warm setting where you’re welcome to stay all afternoon long.
Cox’s Vineyard
A second-generation, family-owned vineyard producing premium, award-winning wines. Tastings are hosted in a refined yet personal setting, which also houses the Seifert Gallery, featuring artworks from across New Zealand and the Pacific. Visits are by appointment, offering a more curated and private wine experience.
Gibbston Valley Winery
Founded by Alan Brady, who planted the region’s first vines in the early 1980s, Gibbston Valley is a cornerstone of Central Otago winemaking. It was here that the region’s first commercial Pinot Noir was released in 1987. Visitors can explore the underground wine cave and enjoy guided tastings or dining at the on-site restaurant.
Peregrine
Tasting experience rooted in organic wine production and sustainable practices. Set in an award-winning architectural space, the cellar door provides curated tastings by prior booking. The focus is on premium single-vineyard expressions with strong environmental values.
Waitiri Creek
Located on the Gibbston backroad, Waitiri Creek offers casual tastings with food options and local beers available. Its spacious patio and relaxed service make it ideal for families or groups looking to enjoy Gibbston’s views in a more laid-back environment.
Brennan Wines
A family-founded, estate vineyard in Gibbston producing handcrafted wines from on-site grapes. Their portfolio includes stellar Pinot Noir as well as experimental varietals like Muscat, Tempranillo, and Zinfandel. Small platters are available to nibble on.
The Gibbston Tavern
The Gibbston Tavern is a family-run spot on the Queenstown Wine Trail, offering wood-fired pizzas, burgers, chowder, and other tavern-style meals with vegetarian and vegan options. Guests can enjoy local craft beers, Central Otago wines, and the neighbouring GT Tasting Room, which serves wine flights, spirits, and take-home bottles, all in a kid- and dog-friendly setting.
Mt Edward at The Church
This community-friendly cellar door features wine, beers on tap, coffee, snacks, and house-made baked goods. With open gardens and casual seating, it offers a hybrid experience, part café, part tasting room, suitable for relaxed gatherings or a quiet stop.
Chard Farm
A long-standing family-run winery, Chard Farm offers tastings in a more traditional setting, accessed by a scenic gravel road overlooking the Kawarau River. Their wines reflect classic Central Otago styles with a strong link to regional history and early viticulture.
Download the Gibbston Winery Map
Trails & Biking in Gibbston
Whether you’re visiting for the day or staying overnight in Gibbston, there are scenic and accessible trails that make it easy to explore the valley on foot or by bike. Biking is truly becoming an all-year-round sport and activity for your whole group. With e-biking, layering in winter is easy. Pro tip: Gloves in winter are a must!
Day Trip in Gibbston
If you’re coming to Kinross and the other wineries for the day, you can arrive by bike directly from Arrowtown via the Queenstown Trail network. It’s a 15 km ride on a well-maintained, off-road cycle path that offers panoramic views of the Kawarau River and nearby vineyards. Once you arrive, reward yourself with a wine tasting or a long lunch at the bistro.
Many bike hire companies in Arrowtown / Queenstown offer a pick-up and drop-off. This is great if you want to focus on just the biking in Gibbston or don't want to bike back to Arrowtown with the wine you have purchased that day!
A big shoutout to the local bike tour operators that we work with at Kinross Better By Bike, Whizzy E-Bike Hire, Going Blue Queenstown, and Around The Basin Bike Queenstown.
Staying in Gibbston
If you’re staying in the valley, especially at Kinross, you’ll have easy access to some of the region’s most scenic trails, which you can walk, run and bike.
Kawarau–Gibbston River Trail: A beautiful riverside route that links multiple cellar doors and runs through the heart of Gibbston wine country. Perfect for a morning walk, relaxed ride, or late-day run.
Peregrine Loop: A short 5 km loop from Kinross, ideal for walking and jogging (not fit for biking). It’s dog-friendly and easy to fit into any part of your day.
Bike Hire from Kinross
Guests staying at Kinross can enjoy hassle-free access to e-bikes through Whizzy, with pickup and drop-off arranged directly on-site. Half and full-day hire is available. Just let reception know you're keen to ride, or email us to reserve your bikes.
Stargazing & Dark Sky Experience
Gibbston is part of the Kawarau Gibbston International Dark Sky Park, New Zealand’s first accredited dark sky park. With minimal light pollution, clear mountain air, and wide open skies, this is one of the best places in the country to stargaze.
Whether you’re looking up from your Kinross cottage deck or wandering through the vines under the stars, catching Gibbston by night is something special.
Just a short walk from Kinross, our neighbours at Antimony Observatory offer immersive astronomy experiences right on the edge of the vineyard.
Expect expert-led sessions on solar science, deep space storytelling, and hands-on access to advanced telescopes, led by resident astronomer Professor Brian Boyle, formerly of Oxford University.
Day tours (11am-3 pm): $40 per adult / $20 per youth, adding a new way to explore the universe in their Sky Box, even before the stars come out.
Night tours: Private, by appointment, featuring telescope time, astrophotography, and potential aurora viewing
Whether you’re staying with us or simply visiting for a wine tasting or lunch, it’s a short stroll to an experience that takes you far beyond the vineyard. Highly recommended.
Adventure & Adrenaline
AJ Hackett Bungy: Leap from the world’s first commercial bungy site at the Kawarau Bridge, soaring 43 m over the river. A bucket-list thrill with a renowned history. Or if you're feeling up to it, AJ Hacket drives you down the road to the Nevis jump for an unreal 134 m free fall...
Oxbow Adventure Co: Experience jet sprint boat rides, adrenaline-charged 4WD excursions, and clay shooting, all set amid the valley’s breathtaking scenery. This is the ultimate high-end adventutre playground! We recommend coming to Kinross for a long lunch after your experiences.
Southern Hunting Adventures: For something different, guided trophy hunts that embrace the region’s rugged backcountry and offer a distinctly wilderness-based pursuit. An ideal experience for those staying in Gibbston, as hunting typically occurs at dusk and dawn.
Spa & Relaxation
The Kinross hot tub: Soak up the southern sky with a glass of local wine in hand from the comfort of the outdoor hot tub, nestled on the slope overlooking the vineyard. It's the perfect way to relax after a day of exploring Gibbston. Exclusively for cottage guests only, the hot tub is available daily from 3:00 pm to 9:00 pm for 1-hour sessions. Spots are limited, so we recommend booking ahead with our team to secure your preferred time.
Gibbston Valley Spa: Unwind among the vines in a stylish, award-winning, vineyard-set spa, perfect after a long day of exploration.
Indulge Mobile Spa: Luxury that comes to your doorstep: enjoy rejuvenating spa treatments in the comfort of your Kinross accommodation.
Nearby Attractions
Arrowtown: Just a 15-minute drive from Gibbston, Arrowtown is a historic gold-mining village full of charm and character. Wander the heritage streets lined with boutique stores, including merino and possum wool specialists, greenstone (pounamu) artisans, and luxury New Zealand fashion designers. The town is also home to a range of excellent cafés, wine bars, and restaurants, along with the iconic Dorothy Browns Cinema, a beautifully restored arthouse theatre offering a truly unique movie-going experience.
Cromwell: Around 30 minutes from Gibbston, Cromwell is known for its rich horticultural heritage, lakeside setting, and growing wine scene. Stroll through Old Cromwell Town, a charming historic precinct with art galleries, cafés, and boutique shops. Visit Lake Dunstan for walking and cycling trails, or explore nearby Bannockburn wineries for a more rugged take on Central Otago winemaking. Highlands Motorsport Park is also a great place to stop in if you feel like a unique experience that's suited for all ages. Cromwell is a great option for a laid-back day trip with local flavour.
Wānaka: Just under an hour’s drive from Gibbston, either over the Crown Range or through the Cromwell Basin. Wānaka offers a stunning lakeside escape with big mountain views. Known for its outdoor lifestyle, the town also boasts stylish shopping, artisan food spots, the much-loved Cinema Paradiso, and even some amazing wineries. Our Friends at Rippon have some of the oldest vines in the whole of Otago. Whether you're kayaking on Lake Wānaka, hiking Roys Peak, or browsing the local weekend market, Wānaka blends nature and community in one unforgettable destination.
Cardrona Valley: Tucked between Queenstown and Wānaka, Cardrona is famous for its alpine scenery and adventure offerings. Visit the iconic Cardrona Hotel for a relaxed meal or drink, explore Cardrona Distillery for internationally award-winning spirits (their cellar tour is an awesome experience!), or head up the Cardrona mountain for skiing, downhill biking or carting, or hiking, depending on the season. With wide-open views and a peaceful feel, it’s a great halfway stop or full-day outing from Gibbston.
Whether you’re here for a day or staying a little longer, Gibbston offers a rich mix of wine, landscapes, and experiences that are uniquely Central Otago. From award-winning tastings and vineyard walks to dark sky stargazing, e-biking, and high-country adventures, there’s something here for every pace and every palate.
At Kinross, we’re proud to sit at the heart of it all. Let us help you discover the best of Gibbston, glass in hand, trail underfoot, stars overhead.
