Southern Lakes Trails Reveals Exciting Strategy

Following the completion of a strategic review in May 2023, a clear vision for the Trust has been developed to link the five Great Rides within the Otago region and to create an extensive 500km+ off-road trail network.

The Lake Dunstan Trail currently serves as a connection point between the Otago Central Rail Trail in Clyde and other parts of Central Otago. The Trust's next major project will link the Queenstown Trails to Central Otago via the Kawarau Gorge Trail, and then extend the Lake Dunstan Trail along the Mata Au | Clutha River to connect with the Wanaka region. Finally, the Trust will work to complete the Roxburgh Gorge Trail by linking the missing 'gap' section and will also establish a new direct, and safer, connection to the Rail Trail in Alexandra.

This expanded network of trails will enable trail users to travel from Queenstown, the gateway to the region, to Dunedin and be dispersed more widely across Otago. This will enable over 30 local communities to benefit from visiting cyclists and help stimulate regional economic benefits.

“To connect people and create memorable experiences by building and maintaining high quality trails as a legacy asset for our community.”

All these trail projects will be constructed over the next five years, which will bring significant value to the local economy with employment and opportunities for local suppliers. As the network potential is fully realised, additional fulltime jobs will be generated within the visitor economy and service sectors.

Southern Lakes Trails is a small Trust with some huge ambitions. Its work to date has set the benchmark for trail construction and demonstrates an ability to take on large, complex engineering projects as part of the expansion of the trails network. Whilst most of the funding for the trail construction has been secured, the Trust relies on donations for the upkeep and maintenance of the network, specifically the Lake Dunstan Trail at this time. If you would like to donate towards the ongoing maintenance of the trails, please click here.

1. Kawarau Gorge Trail

This is a high priority for the Trust, and the new 32km of trail will link Queenstown, at the Nevis Bluff, to the Central Otago trails via Bannockburn near Cromwell. 

Construction will start during the summer of 2023/24. 

The dramatic scenery across currently inaccessible parts of the Kawarau Gorge, will be breathtaking and feature two suspension bridges crossing over the Kawarau River itself.   The trail will be on the sunny side of the gorge, opposite the State Highway.

Southern Lakes Trails is working closely with Queenstown Trails for a seamless connection of their trail at the end of Gibbston Valley to the start of this trail at adjoining Nevis Bluff. Read more here.

2. Wanaka Link

This trail will link Wanaka’s network of tracks and trails into the wider Central Otago trails and ultimately onto Dunedin.

Beginning in Wanaka, the trail will follow the Upper Clutha River and Luggate Creek Tracks, which will be improved to be wider with an easier gradient.

The Wanaka Link will connect to the existing Lake Dunstan Trail at Smiths Way near Pisa Moorings which then connects through to Clyde, Alexandra, Roxburgh, Lawrence, and Waihola on the East Coast. New trail developments in Dunedin will then complete a seamless off-road network from Queenstown and Wanaka to Dunedin.  

In total the Wanaka Link comprises of 33 km of new trail, 22.5 km of upgraded trail and, including the existing section from Smiths Way to Cromwell Heritage Precinct, creates a trail of 72km in length.

The plan is for construction on this trail to start in 2024.

3. Roxburgh Gorge Link

The existing Roxburgh Gorge Trail includes a 12km jet boat transfer between Doctor’s Point and Shingle Creek. Filling this ‘gap’ in the trail is the purpose of the Roxburgh Gorge Link. 

Trail solutions are currently being worked through with Central Government.  

The plan is for construction on this trail to start in 2025.