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WHAREHUANUI TRAIL OPENS IN QUEENSTOWN

Wharehuanui Trail linking Arrowtown to Arthurs Point Opens

Queenstown Trails

Wharehuanui Trail, Queenstown
Geoff Marks

News & Events Wharehuanui Trail Opens

The new trail is the result of seven years’ work by Queenstown Trails with the support of many stakeholders and the community. “We are so grateful to the landowners who have worked with us throughout this project, recognising the benefit of the trail for our community and granting access to assist in creating an asset that will benefit the Whakatipu now and for future generations”, said Mark 'Willy' Williams, CEO Queenstown Trails Trust.

Spectacular mountain scenery on the new Wharehuanui Trail.

The trail runs along the base of Coronet Peak, linking into the mountain biking and backcountry trails.

Willy has championed the expansion of the Queenstown Trails - part of the wider Ngā Haerenga Great Rides of NZ network – having identified a gap in the network and the benefits of trails for community, economic benefit, and conservation initiatives. “The big focus of the Wharehuanui Trail is creating a seamless recreational link between the valley trails and the wider backcountry MTB trail network on and around Coronet Peak and Mahu Whenua”, he said. The additional benefit of connecting communities with active transport opportunities is not lost on Williams who suggests that “Trails provide the perfect means for locals and visitors to experience the Whakatipu Basin without a reliance on vehicles, reducing emissions and congestion, with the obvious health and wellbeing benefits of daily exercise”.

With extensive views over the Whakatipu Basin the Wharehuanui Trail also provides an opportunity to experience the conservation efforts by Mana Tahuna and the extensive Mill Creek/Lake Hayes restoration project underway. The conservation outcomes facilitated by the trail are an enormous benefit: “We are incredibly proud that the trails provide access for trapping, planting, control of invasive species and waterway restoration, allowing people to experience our environment and gain a sense of guardianship/kaitiakitanga", said Willy.

The new Wharehuanui trail has fun, flowing sections.

Queenstown's backcountry Coronet Loop (pictured) connects to the new trail.

“A huge thank you to everyone involved in this project – especially, landowners, funders MBIE and Central Lakes Trust, and our loyal Trail Lovers supporter base, with a particular mention to the Kuperus Family who generously funded the Kuperus Crossing bridge near the foot of the Dan O’Connell Climb. Special thanks also to M3 Contracting who did a stellar job to construct the trail, under the expert watch of Project Manager Giulio Chapman-Olla from Southern Civil Consulting. The trail and structures design teams from Patersons Land professionals and Stantec also deserve recognition for their vision and skills, as do the legal services from Robert Huse at Anderson Lloyd who has navigated a huge variety of easement agreements for us", said Willy.

Built in partnership with the QLDC Parks and Reserves team, the maintenance of the new trail will be managed by council following the official completion of the project.

The Wharehuanui Trail will open on Saturday 5th October, with the school holidays providing a great opportunity for families to experience the new trail together. 

An official opening function will be announced later in the year to celebrate this monumental occasion for Trail Lovers from far and wide.

The extensive 150km Queenstown Trails network.

The new Wharehuanui Trail and the Kimi-ākau Shotover Gorge Trail (under construction).

The Kuperus Family generously funded the Kuperus Crossing bridge.

The trail meanders through the park-like grounds of Millbrook.

Extensive tree planting along the Wharehuanui Trail.

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