Panners

09/10/2026

The Kawarau Gorge Trail is getting closer! 🚵‍♀️🥾

While the full trail opening has been delayed to allow for the final works and safety checks, there’s still plenty to look forward to.

From Labour Weekend, riders can enjoy a 17km return ride from Cromwell to the Pioneer Bridge, with Panners Bar & Kitchen right along the way for a well-deserved refuel. 🍕🍻

We can’t wait to welcome more riders through the Gorge and see this incredible trail come to life!
Keep an eye on Southern Lakes Trails for the latest updates.

Ride, Refuel, Repeat. 🚵‍♂️🍻

🚴🥾 Kawarau Gorge Trail Update
We know everyone is excited to get onto the Kawarau Gorge Trail, and we’re excited too!
While there has been great progress across the trail, the public opening will be delayed while we complete the remaining works and safety checks. As a true backcountry experience, we want to make sure everything is ready before we welcome riders onto the full route.
There is still work underway on the Kawarau River suspension bridges, barriers and sections of track, along with the Nevis Bluff highway crossing and upcoming rock scaling.
The VIP celebration will go ahead on Friday 23 October, followed by operator, partner, trustee and emergency services familiarisation rides over the following weeks.
From Labour Weekend, a 17km ride from Cromwell to The Pioneer Bridge will be available as an in-and-out ride, with two-way traffic. 2km into the return ride is Panners Bar and Kitchen at Goldfields Mining Centre.
The true backcountry sections will remain closed until the final works are complete and the trail is fully signed off.
We’re not setting a new full opening date just yet. Once everything is ready, we’ll give two weeks’ notice.
Thanks for your patience while we get the final pieces in place. We’re getting closer, and we can’t wait to see you out there! 🚵‍♀️🏔️

06/10/2026

Got something worth celebrating? Let’s make a plan. 🍾

Planning an end-of-year function, group celebration or private event? We've made it easy to choose the right setup for your group, with two function packages designed around how you want to celebrate.

Choose from our Party Package for bigger groups or our Dining Package for a more sit-down experience, then let us take care of the food while you enjoy the day.

Bookings are underway, and dates are filling.

Visit www.panners.co.nz to view our function packages, and get in touch to start planning.

Let’s get your date sorted.

26/09/2026

Weekend plans sorted 🍕

School holidays are here, so make a pit stop at Panners for stone baked pizza, good drinks and something for everyone.

Bring the family, grab a table and make a day of it in the Gorge. 👋

18/09/2026

Your weekend plans, sorted. 🍕🍻

Make the most of the weekend and head out to Panners in the Kawarau Gorge. Grab a coffee, settle in for a cold drink, tuck into one of our delicious pizzas or pub classics and enjoy a few hours away from the usual.

Coming through the Gorge this weekend? Make Panners part of the plan.

📍 Kawarau Gorge
🍕 Pizza & pub classics
☕ Coffee & deli treats
🍻 Cold drinks
🌄 Views worth stopping for

Tag your weekend crew and we’ll see you at Panners. 👋

17/09/2026

🚨 WE’RE HIRING! 🚨

We’re looking for great people to join the Panners team for FOH, Barista & Kitchen Hand roles.

Whether you’re behind the bar, making great coffee or helping keep the kitchen running smoothly, we’re looking for people who are:

• Reliable, hardworking & punctual
• Comfortable working in a fast-paced environment
• Positive, proactive & willing to get stuck in
• Able to work well as part of a team
• Organised & take pride in keeping things clean
• Keen to learn & develop their hospitality skills
• Available to work a mix of weekdays & weekends
• Have their own transport
• Live locally or nearby
• Have the right to work in New Zealand

What we offer:
✨ Opportunities to learn, develop & grow within the Panners team
✨ A supportive & friendly working environment
✨ Staff meals & benefits
✨ A busy, varied role in a growing hospitality business

📍 Panners Bar & Kitchen | Kawarau Gorge

If you’re looking for your next hospitality role and think you’d be a great fit, we’d love to hear from you.

📩 Send your CV to [email protected]

Know someone who’d be a great fit? Tag them below 👇

Meet you at Panners

MON | CLOSED
TUES - THURS | 10AM - 8PM
FRI - SAT | 10AM - 9PM
SUN | 10AM - 8PM

17/09/2026

🔥 SWEET. SPICY. CRISPY.

Meet the Hot Honey Chicken Burger 🍔

Extra-crispy fried chicken, tossed in hot honey, layered with crisp lettuce and creamy ranch, all tucked into a toasted brioche bun. And yes, it comes with a side of crispy fries because we believe a burger deserves the full treatment. 🍟

That perfect hit of sweet + heat + creamy + crunchy. Tag the mate who’d order this without even looking at the menu 👇

Who’s adding this to their next Panners order?

14/09/2026

Exciting times ahead at Panners! 🚲 We’re proud to be a Southern Lakes Trails Partner for 2026 and can’t wait to welcome everyone hitting the new Kawarau Gorge Trail next month. 🍕🍻

The team at Panners have been awesome to work with, accommodating our meetings and full of positive ideas. We can't wait to see and taste the treats they are preparing for trail users when the Kawarau Gorge Trail opens next month. Over the bridge at Goldfields Mining Centre

01/09/2026

🌶️ New in the Panners cabinet 🌶️

Jalapeño & cheese scones, baked fresh and packed with plenty of cheesy goodness with just the right kick of jalapeño.

Perfect with a coffee for the road, or grab one to enjoy while you take in the Gorge. ☕️🧀

27/08/2026

Meet you at Panners this Sunday. 🫶

Make a day of it and meet somewhere in the middle. Whether you're coming from Queenstown, Wānaka, Cromwell or somewhere in between, Panners is the perfect Sunday stop in the Kawarau Gorge.

We're open from 10am for coffee, cabinet food and a slow Sunday start, with our full menu from 12pm including fresh stone-baked pizzas, good food and drinks.

And if you're taking part in the Lake Dunstan Trail Marathon, show us your race bib and enjoy 10% off your meal.

So whether you're finishing 42km, cheering someone on or simply looking for somewhere good to meet this Sunday...

Meet you at Panners. 📍

Meet you at Panners

MON | CLOSED
TUES - THURS | 10AM - 8PM
FRI - SAT | 10AM - 9PM
SUN | 10AM - 8PM