Investment Boost for Otago Cycle Trails and Regional

Tourism and Hospitality Minister Louise Upston and Conservation Minister Tama Potaka announced up to $7.1 million in funding to upgrade six Great Rides across the country - with two key Otago projects included.

Direct investment into Otago trails

Otago will see targeted funding for:

• Roxburgh Gorge Trail: Up to $1 million to help close the remaining 12km gap, a critical step toward completing this iconic Central Otago experience
• Otago Central Rail Trail: Up to $302,000 for restoration work, ensuring New Zealand’s most well-known cycle trail remains high quality and resilient

These projects reinforce Otago’s position as one of New Zealand’s premiere cycling destinations, with trails that drive visitor dispersal and year-round regional visitation.

Supporting regional economies and trail communities

“This investment supports the continued growth of New Zealand’s world-renowned cycle trails, one of our most successful regional tourism assets,” Louise Upston says.

For Otago, the impact is significant. The region’s trails underpin local economies - from accommodation providers and cafes to transport operators and tour businesses - while attracting both domestic riders and high-value international visitors.

Across New Zealand, the 23 Ngā Haerenga Great Rides generate more than 2.5 million trips annually, contributing an estimated $1.28 billion in regional expenditure.

Strengthening resilience and future growth

Conservation Minister Tama Potaka says the investment will help ensure trails like those in Otago remain sustainable and accessible for generations.

“Our conservation estate is one of our greatest assets, and these trails give people safe, meaningful access to experience it,” Potaka says.

“This investment supports growing tourism and regional economies while protecting the natural landscapes that make places like Otago unique.”

Future-proofing Otago’s trail network

The funding, co-invested through the NZ Cycle Trail Fund and the Department of Conservation, supports both infrastructure upgrades and remedial work across the network.

For Otago, this means:

• Improved trail continuity and visitor experience
• Ongoing maintenance of established flagship rides
• Greater resilience to weather and environmental pressures
• Enhanced appeal in key international cycling markets

“These projects will support regional dispersal of visitors and future-proof our Great Rides for both domestic and international riders alike,” Upston says.

This latest investment builds on Otago’s growing reputation as a must-ride destination, with ongoing opportunities to showcase the region’s landscapes, communities, and stories through its iconic trails.