A public pathway that links the historic Kawarau Bungy Bridge at one end of Gibbston to Waitiri Creek Wines at the other is to officially open on December 4.
The project has been six years in the making and has been supported by SKYCITY Queenstown Casino Community Trust, which committed $6,500 for the building of a footbridge.
The 8-Km Gibbston River Trail will be officially unveiled by the Gibbston Community Association at an opening ceremony at Peregrine Wines (11am-2pm). From that point on the public will have the opportunity to access the trail – by bicycle or foot.
Gibbston Community Association was a recipient of SKYCITY Queenstown Casino Community Trust in 2009. The money awarded was used to erect a 9m-long timber bridge that was vital in creating the Gibbston River Trail. The bridge was built to help preserve an archaeological site, which features a large area of shallow alluvial workings.
The Association’s chair, Susan Stevens, was the driving force behind the project’s $1.4 million fundraising campaign. She said the project had been a “long road to success” and that it would not have been possible if it wasn’t for key funding from organisations such as the SKYCITY Queenstown Casino Community Trust.
“We are putting the final touches to the Gibbston River Trail, and are delighted to be officially opening in just under a month,” she said.
“We are beavering away on perfecting the bridges, tracks, fences, stiles and putting in place DoC signs before we carry out final inspections.
“The project aims to bring a sensational new track to the Southern Lakes and features no steps so is totally wheel-friendly. It’s also a fantastic route that connects some superb local wineries, such as Peregrine Wines, The Winehouse & Kitchen, and Waitiri Creek Wines.”
The Department of Conservation said they expect the trail to be one of the most popular in the district.
Gibbston has long been a tourist destination not only because it has the world’s first bungy jump located at the Kawarau Bridge but also because of its well-known wine industry.
The region has gone from being home to just one vineyard (planted in 1981) to today being home to more than 40 vineyards with over 330 hectares of grapevines, 11 wine tasting rooms and 18 wine producers.
A new business venture, Gibbston Wine Tours, are already working on bringing guided cycle tours to the trail with pit stops and wine tastings at the wineries along the trail.
The Gibbston Community Association was formed in 1998 by a handful of local pioneers who saw the potential of the region and started to produce quality wines. It has since grown from 30 subscribing (paid) member households to 89 member households – many of whom volunteer for the Association.
Gibbston Community Association has carried out all developments to the track and its surrounding environment in conjunction and with full support from DoC, New Zealand Historic Places Trust and the Wakatipu Trails Trust.
“We are very grateful for the Trust’s funding in helping fund one of the bridges as it was such a large sum to raise in total,” said Mrs Stevens. “The footbridges really are a unique and necessary part of the trail, as they allow people to traverse safely over the archaeological sites.”
Executive Manager of SKYCITY Queenstown, Michelle Baillie said the SKYCITY Queenstown Casino Community Trust was pleased to be part of the creation of the scenic trail for locals and tourists.
“The Gibbston Community Association has worked incredibly hard to establish this track which not only opens up more of the region’s vineyards to visitors but also encompasses the history and natural beauty of the area. It’s a great organisation doing fantastic work and we are delighted to help.”
At the opening ceremony 5-year old Trail Ambassador Abigail White will cut the ribbon before Susan Stevens presents a bottle of limited-edition 2009 Gibbston Red Pinot Noir to DoC to symbolically handover the trail to them.
SKYCITY Queenstown Casino Community Trust will be honoured on a special recognition plaque together with The Rosser Foundation, who gave $10,000 to the funding of the bridge.
