Epic Mountain Carting Experience Near Cardrona

Last Updated December 19, 2025||

Many people say New Zealand is the adventure capital of the world – especially the area around Queenstown – and we’re here to give you another reason why this is 100% accurate!

Located between Queenstown and Wanaka is the town of Cardrona, which is famous for its “bra fence” and the Cardrona Hotel, but also for its awesome mountain resort, where, during the summer, you can go mountain carting.

Two riders drive mountain carts downhill on a wide gravel track with sweeping alpine views in the background. The scene highlights the open landscape and sense of adventure at a high-altitude mountain resort in New Zealand.
This is the view you can expect while mountain carting

If you’re up for an adrenaline rush or want to cruise down a mountain like Mario, then keep reading…

Mountain Carting in Cardrona is one of the coolest experiences we’ve ever had in NZ, and we can’t wait to go back again. In this post, we cover everything you need to know about this adrenaline-filled activity!

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Is the mountain carting in Cardrona worth it?

A group of riders sit on mountain carts wearing helmets and protective clothing, lined up at the start of the track. The dry, grassy hillside and fencing frame the staging area.
We went with Jo’s sister and some friends

We first heard about the mountain carting experience on Instagram, and we thought it looked so fun, so we figured we just had to go try it.

We talked to a few friends about it and decided to book our tickets and go experience it for ourselves. And let me tell you, we had a blast!

It’s definitely something you can’t miss when you’re in Queenstown or Wanaka – especially if you love a bit of adrenaline!

Don’t have time to read the whole article?
The carting is so fun and something we can highly recommend. You do have to book your tickets in advance, though, in order to secure your spot. You can get your tickets here! 🏎️💨

What to expect from mountain carting in Cardrona

A person wearing a helmet and dark coveralls walks across a gravel area toward the mountain carting track. On the back of the coveralls it says "Maverick".
A wide view of a winding mountain cart track cutting across a rugged alpine landscape. Riders descend the trail with dramatic mountain peaks in the distance.
Two people wearing helmets and protective coveralls smile while riding a chairlift up the mountain. The open alpine terrain and sunny conditions suggest they are heading to the start of the carting run.
Excited and ready to go carting

You’re going to have the 2 most fun hours of your life carting down Cardrona’s mountain trails!

This is a summer activity, so the season for mountain carting in Cardrona is from December to March (weather dependent).

There is a handful of different trails you can ride down with different technical difficulties, but each of them is worth trying at least once. And if you want to go fast, you can!

If you’re lucky and the tracks aren’t too busy, you should easily be able to ride all the trails in the two-hour window! (The trick to this is to book a 10am morning slot).

An empty mountain cart track curves downhill with stacked tires lining the corners for safety. Rolling hills and distant valleys surround the course, showcasing the rugged alpine environment.
You can see a good section of one of the tracks here

Here are a few of the things you can expect on this awesome experience:

  • Stunning mountain drive: The drive up to the Cardrona Mountain Resort is spectacular. Hopefully, you have a decent car because it is a gravel road that takes you up to the resort! Drive carefully and take in the views.
  • All the gear is provided for you: There isn’t much you need to bring for carting in Cardrona besides a comfortable outfit and comfortable closed shoes. The outfit, helmet, and goggles are all provided. I’d recommend bringing some sort of bandana or something to cover your face if you don’t want to get dirty like us!
  • Safety training: Before you go carting down the mountain, you’ll watch a video and get a tutorial on how to ride the cart safely. It’s just a basic training, but these things are good to know before heading out on the track!

What you need to know before carting in Cardrona

Book an early time slot

Three people wearing helmets and protective gear sit on a chairlift, smiling as they ride uphill. The lift carries them above the resort terrain toward the start of the mountain carting run.
A hand holds a resort access card used for mountain activities. The image shows the card close up, emphasizing check-in and preparation before the adventure begins.
A rider wearing a helmet speeds downhill on a mountain cart along a gravel track beneath a gondola station. The alpine terrain and clear blue sky highlight this outdoor adventure experience.
We started at 10am and got the tracks almost to ourselves

The thing is, you have a 2-hour window from when you start riding to when you finish carting.

There are only two chair-lifts that are used for the mountain carting, and in the mornings, it’s usually a lot quieter, which means you will get more runs down the mountain (and also more room on the trails).

It’s very hard to pass people on the trails, so the fewer people the better in our opinion!

You can check the availability and select your timeslot here or use the widget below.

Stay in control, and you’ll have a blast

There are those who go down the mountain without using their brakes at all, and then there are those who brake around every single corner.

It doens’t matter which one you are – as long as you stay safe and go at a speed that’s comfortable for you!

If you think you might be a bit slower than others, wait until people have gone, and then ride your own speed behind them. This way, you’ll have a lot more fun!

Two riders descend a gravel mountain cart track with a gondola station visible at the top of the hill. The scene captures motion, dust, and the open alpine setting.
Don’t feel pressured by people behind you

Wear a comfortable outfit

You’re going to get overalls, and there’s a good chance it will be hot outside since it will be summer in Cardrona, so wear something light that will be comfortable under the overalls (i.e. no skinny jeans).

The most important thing is to have a good pair of closed shoes. Trainers or simple day-to-day shoes should do the trick. Any pair of shoes that you’re fine with getting a little dirty works!

Three friends stand together wearing green coveralls and safety gear at an alpine resort. You can see a lot of dust on their faces after mountain carting.
Your face might get very dirty after, haha!

What to do after the carting

The entrance to the historic Cardrona Hotel features a weathered sign advertising old smuggled whisky. The open red door and vintage exterior highlight the building’s heritage character.
A stone building entrance sits beneath leafy green trees along a narrow path lined with flowers. The shaded walkway creates a cosy, welcoming atmosphere.
Three steamed bao buns topped with meat, herbs, and sliced chilies sit on a plate beside a bowl of fries. The food is photographed outdoors on a wooden table, suggesting a relaxed pub-style meal.
Cardrona Hotel is worth a visit

Since you’re already in Cardrona, we suggest combining the mountain carting with lunch down at the Cardrona Hotel. It’s a beautiful, historic hotel that has a great pub with a nice outdoor garden area connected to it (no reservation needed).

We’re sure at this point you’ve built up an appetite, so it’s a great place to stop for lunch after the carting. Just make sure you wash your face before you go, haha! By the way, the nachos and burgers really hit the spot!

If you’re looking for more inspiration on what to do nearby, you can check out our ultimate guide to Wanaka here.

📍 Want to know about all the best spots in Aotearoa New Zealand?
Then check out our New Zealand Maps with +200 locations around the country that we have visited during our 10 months of living and travelling in NZ! 🗺️

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Summary of the mountain carting experience

A long fence covered with hundreds of bras stretches across a dry hillside landscape in Central Otago, New Zealand. The colourful display contrasts with the rugged mountains and is a well-known roadside attraction.
The Bra Fence is a famous attraction in Cardrona

If you’re roadtripping through the South Island of New Zealand and end up driving between Queenstown and Wanaka, then Cardrona is a must-visit!

From the bra fence on the side of the highway to the Cardrona Hotel to this awesome carting experience, it’s a must-visit spot on your New Zealand itinerary. 

We hope you have the best time carting down the mountain and travelling through this part of New Zealand. It’s one of our favourite places in the world, so we love sharing as much as we can about this beautiful country.

If you have any other questions about the mountain carting in Cardrona or what to do around Queenstown or Wanaka, please reach out.

You can DM us on Instagram @redwhiteadventures or leave a comment below, and we will get back to you as soon as we can! Have an amazing time mountain carting and travelling in New Zealand!

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Two riders descend a wide gravel mountain cart track with sweeping alpine views stretching into the distance. The scene captures the thrill of downhill riding surrounded by rugged mountains and a clear blue sky.
A group of riders sit on mountain carts wearing helmets and protective suits, smiling before their downhill run. The image showcases the social and adventurous side of mountain carting in New Zealand’s alpine landscape.
Riders wearing helmets race downhill on mountain carts near a gondola station at an alpine resort in New Zealand. The dusty trail and lift infrastructure highlight this bucket-list outdoor adventure.
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