Skip to main content

How much do you love Queenstown Trails?

May is Trail Lovers month – Queenstown Trails’ annual appeal for 2024

Become a Queenstown Trail Lover!

Kawarau Suspension Bridge, Queenstown
Will Nelson

News & Events Queenstown Trail Lovers Month

The Challenge 

The Queenstown Trails Trust is challenging trail users, and trail loving businesses to collectively raise $200,000 during Trail Lovers month – it sounds like a big goal, but that’s really only $1 for every runner, walker or biker who used the Queenstown Trails this year. 

“Last year’s campaign was epic, we raised $50k for Queenstown Trails, but what we noticed, was that the majority of our donations come from a loyal band of Trail Lovers who generously give to the trails year after year.  We are endlessly grateful to the long-time-trail-lovers, but this year we want to encourage all trail users to donate.” Says Queenstown Trails CEO Mark ‘Willy’ Williams.

“We are also challenging the trail loving businesses who benefit from the trail to show their support.  Bike operators, like Outside sports, have already pledged to donate per bike hire, while businesses like Ayrburn, Gantleys, the Fork and Tap and Kinross are offering donations from every coffee/beer sold during the campaign.

Mr. Williams says, its important to recognise the trails as a valuable asset to the community, as well as to the tourism sector.  The trails are heavily utilised for recreation and commuting as well as a sustainable, safe and environmentally friendly way for visitors to Queenstown to experience everything that our region has to offer.

“The Trail Lovers concept is a great fit with our values of Kaitiakitanga, guardianship and protection of the environment, and we hope people will connect with this and make their love for the trails official.”

The new Wharehuanui Trail between Arrowtown and Arthurs Point is due to open in late May 2024 [Photo: Geoff Marks].

The new Wharehuanui Trail linking Arrowtown to Arthurs Point is nearing completion and is set to open in May.  The next phase of the project linking Arthurs Point back to Tucker Beach is underway.  Including the historic tunnel at big beach, and a new suspension bridge at Tucker Beach, this next section of trail is set to become one of the most exciting trails on the New Zealand Cycle Trail network.

“If every person that used the Queenstown Trail in the last 12 months, was able to donate $1 each year, we would have a sustainable funding model”.

“We would like to extend a massive thank you to our long time supporters, major donors and sponsors, your generosity is helping us grow and develop the trails.”

Queenstown Trails, a charitable trust, is the driving force behind the development of the 200km+ trail network that is such an important facet of why people choose to live here or visit Queenstown.

To make a donation and become a Trail Lover click here. 

Become a Queenstown Trail Lover!

Related Stories

Go back to all articles