Gibbston

Gibbston, a tiny settlement in the heart of the Kawarau Gorge, is Central Otago’s cool-climate wine country at its most dramatic. The rugged schist slopes and river terraces produce some of New Zealand’s finest pinot noir, and the area is dotted with cellar doors where you can taste the landscape in a glass. The historic Kawarau Gorge Suspension Bridge, where bungy jumping began, adds a thrill to the pastoral scenery.

Highlights & What to See

• Wine tasting – Gibbston is all about the wine. Visit iconic cellar doors like Chard Farm (perched on a cliff), Peregrine Wines (with its striking falcon-shaped building), and Gibbston Valley Winery (the region’s first). Most offer tastings and platters with local produce.
• Kawarau Gorge Suspension Bridge & AJ Hackett Bungy – The birthplace of commercial bungy jumping. Even if you don’t leap, watching others is a spectacle, and the bridge offers stunning gorge views.
• Gibbston Valley Cheese – A artisan cheesery where you can sample creamy blues, goat’s cheese, and aged cheddars, perfectly paired with local wine.
• Cycle the Gibbston River Trail – A gentle, scenic ride along the Kawarau River, passing vineyards, historic gold-mining sites, and the suspension bridge. Bikes can be rented in Queenstown or at the trailhead.
• Waitiri Creek Wines – A boutique winery with a lovely cellar door and a focus on organic practices; the pinot noir here is exceptional.

Suggested Time to Spend

You can easily spend a half-day exploring Gibbston, but a full day is ideal if you want to cycle the river trail, visit three or four wineries, and linger over a long lunch. Many visitors combine Gibbston with a morning in Queenstown and an afternoon in Arrowtown. For wine lovers, an overnight stay at a vineyard lodge (like the ones at Gibbston Valley Winery) is a memorable indulgence.

Nearby Areas Worth Combining

• Queenstown – Just 20 minutes west, with adventure activities, lake cruises, and a buzzing food scene.
• Arrowtown – A historic gold-mining town with charming colonial streets, great cafés, and the Arrow River Trail.
• Cromwell – Another wine-growing hub with a historic precinct, fruit stalls, and the stunning Lake Dunstan.
• Wanaka – An hour’s drive over the Crown Range, offering lakefront walks, the famous #ThatWanakaTree, and skiing in winter.

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