QUEENSTOWN TRAIL EXPANSION PLANS
In 2017, the Queenstown Trails Trust (QTT) announced $15 million expansion plans to grow the existing trail network. With a rapidly expanding population in Queenstown and growing congestion on our roads, QTT wants to provide alternative travel routes and encourage more ‘active transport’ for Queenstown commuters and new tracks and trails for recreational users.
• Stage 1 will connect Arrowtown to Tucker Beach via Arthur’s Point via a route on the true left of the Shotover River, including a new pedestrian bridge at Tucker Beach. This 30km trail extension received Resource Consent in July 2021 and the detailed design stage is now in progress. All going well construction will begin summer 2022.
• Stage 2 will connect the communities of Jack’s Point and Hanley’s Farm directly to Frankton with a new pedestrian bridge at Boyd Road. This bridge, combined with a second crossing at Widgeon Place Reserve will also connect Lake Hayes Estate and Shotover Country to Frankton via the true right of the Kawarau River. Wakatipu Way to go (QLDC/NZTA) is funding this project and is currently in the detailed design stage, QTT are advocating for the best route and hopefully construction will begin 2022.
• Stage 3 connecting Lake Hayes Estate to Gibbston via Chard Farm.
To fund this project QTT has secured 50% of costs from central government (MBIE Enhance and Expand fund), the remaining 50% is being sourced locally via local funding bodies, QLDC, philanthropists and of course our Friends of the Trust. We are confident, with your support; we can start work on Stage 1 early in 2022. To pledge your support please join our friends of the Trust supporters programme HERE.
See a rough outline of the routes below...
TRAIL CONNECTIVITY - CONNECTING OUR COMMUNITIES VIA ACTIVE TRANSPORT
In a bid to ease congestion on our roads QTT wants to connect all Queenstown communities to the main Queenstown Trail routes to encourage more 'active transport' in the District. Working with QLDC, NZTA and MBIE we are looking closely at how we easily and safely connect the community hubs of Arthurs Point, Sunshine Bay, and Fernhill through to Queenstown CBD; Queenstown to Arrowtown; Lake Hayes Estate, Shotover Country and Quail Rise through to Frankton and of course Jack’s Point and Hanley’s Farm to Frankton. Our Re-alignment plans will also compliment this project.
This is a vital period of trail development for Queenstown and in line with QTT's 10yr Plan to ‘connect our communities’. With growing pressure on roads from a rapidly expanding population, there has never been a more important time to provide alternate travel routes and transport modes for our community. With a sustainable and integrated trail network, we can encourage more ‘active transport’ for commuters as well as get kids back on bikes with a safe means of getting to the new high school in Frankton. Support our trail expansion plans by becoming a Friend of the Trust today.
CORONET LOOP MTB AND WALKING TRAIL
This project has been a long time coming. The Queenstown Trails Trust has been working tirelessly with multiple stakeholders to bring this project into fruition. The exceptional generosity of the Soho Properties Landowner has seen 53,000ha of magnificent land gifted to the people of NZ by way of QEII National Covenant. An intermediate grade MTB (and walking) trail starting at the top of Bush Creek, traversing the front face of Coronet Peak to the base of the Rude Rock trail, down Long Gully and up over Greengates Saddle before returning to the Macetown Road via Deep Creek and Coronet Creek. The first stage of the trail is complete, and we have uncovered some interesting local mining history along the way. Phase 2 which will take you from Deep Creek and Coronet Creek out to Arrowtown is currently under construction. We can't wait to open this new epic 56k backcountry trail (Early in 2022). You can sign up for updates via QTT's email newsletter (at the bottom of this page). 
WORLD CLASS TRAIL MAINTENANCE PROGRAMME - From good to great!
To continue offering a world class network of trails, each year we work closely with QLDC and national government on trail maintenance prioritisation and planned upgrades on specific sections of the trails. Thanks to the Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment's (MBIE) ‘Maintaining the quality of great rides’ fund, we are able to undertake a variety of work to take our trail from ‘good to great’.
If you enjoy our trails and would like to help us build more, please show your support by becoming a Friend of the Queenstown Trails Trust today. All donations go back into making the Queenstown Trails even greater.
