The planned 87 km long Queenstown Trail is one step closer to completion after receiving a $1 million grant yesterday from the Central Lakes Trust. Construction of the cycleway is expected to cost approximately $5 million and yesterday’s grant brings the total raised for the cycle trail to over $3 million.
The chief executive of the Wakatipu Trails Trust is convinced another $2 million can be raised to complete the funding of the trail. The hope is yesterday’s grant will allow the Wakatipu Trails Trust to leverage further support for the remaining $1.7 million left to be raised.
While the final route has yet to be determined, the Queenstown Trail will combine a series of trails to connect the Gibbston Valley, historic Arrowtown, Lake Hayes, Frankton and Queenstown. After the funding approval yesterday, discussion with landowners can continue and the tender process should start by the end of the year.
The first 24 km of the cycle trail is likely to be completed in the next 12 months with the remainder finished in two years. The Queenstown to Arrowtown section of the trail is currently open for riding with significant improvements on the way.
The Queenstown Trail is one of 13 other proposed trails in New Zealand and is the first South Island trail to reach phase two of the government-sponsored programme.
This network of cycleways will be based around New Zealand’s iconic attractions and will ultimately provide thousands of kilometers of trails. These “Great Rides” will take in the best of New Zealand’s dramatic landscapes and are the future of cycle tourism in New Zealand.
