Shotover Gorge Trail Update

The Queenstown Trails Trust has an ambitious plan to enhance its trail network and broaden the scope of trails on offer, from accessible cycleways and active transport routes to multiday adventures and backcountry single track.

One of the Trust's biggest projects is the construction of a trail to connect Arrowtown to Arthurs Point (the new Wharehuanui Trail, opening in spring 2024) which provides onward access to Queenstown via the new Arthurs Point to Queenstown route. This was identified as one of eight priority trails for the Whakatipu Active Travel Network: an integrated network of trails for walking and cycling that connects to public transport, providing a genuine alternative to getting around by car.

The next stage of the project for the Trust is Arthurs Point to Tucker Beach via a new Shotover Gorge Trail. Construction of this trail is progressing well and on track for opening in summer 2024. The trail offers a spectacular journey through the historic tunnel into the stunning lower gorge of the Shotover River, traversing the steep cliffs of the canyon with incredible views of the Kimi-ākau | Shotover River below. 

A major landmark of this trail will be the new 90m Kimi-ākau suspension bridge where the gorge meets the Tucker Beach Recreation Reserve, and last week saw the final sections of cable installed by helicopter. 

Mark "Willy" Williams, CEO Queenstown Trails, said "Edifice have been battling freezing temperatures but made fantastic progress, with the catenary cables being expertly flown into place Heliworks last week".

"Helicopters been used throughout the build, lifting concrete into place for the dead-man anchors, flying in the towers and stringing the cables from which the hangers and transoms are hung before laying the decking timbers. We’re stoked with how the bridge is looking, and its credit to the design team of Lachlan and Derek at Stantec to have created such an elegant structure up close, but which blends seamlessly into the environment from just a short distance away".

Further upstream, Wilson Contractors and Elevate Trails are working hard on the trail towards the Hugo Tunnel, following the lip of the Lower Shotover Gorge. 

"This trail is going to be a stunning experience thanks to the contractor's exceptional skills and the alignment designed by Patersons and managed by Giulio at Southern Civil Consulting", said Willy.

Another unique feature of the bridge will be the 110 planks which span the river, and which have all been individually sponsored by the local community to help fund bridge construction.