Kawarau Gorge cycle trail build underway
Kawarau Gorge is buzzing with activity as construction of the 32km Kawarau Gorge Trail kicks into high gear, according to the Southern Lakes Trails trust.
Earthmoving diggers can now be seen from the road SH6, between Queenstown and Cromwell, as they create the trail at Sam’s Flat area, within the Kawarau Gorge.
The trail, which is expected to take two years to build, will include riding on bluff bridges around the edge of the Kawarau River, past rapids unseen from the road and a spectacular view up the mouth of the Nevis River.
Ultimately, trail riders will criss-cross the Kawarau River via two major suspension bridges: one downstream of the Victoria Bridge and another at Citroen Rapid.
Pre-construction planning and preparations have been ongoing since the contractors Wilson Keen Contracting and Ellis Mining Ltd were appointed in December 2023. They were soon able to forge access into previously land-locked areas to start the trail earthworks.
Since the New Year, specialists have also been descending into the gorge. Archaeologists have identified historic and heritage features, ecologists have marked native plants to be protected and herpetologists have actively been moving lizards into their new, safe ‘lizard hotel’.
The trustees of Southern Lakes Trails are thrilled to be making excellent progress with the start of the Kawarau Gorge Trail build.
"Multiple stakeholders and parties have come together to realise the vision we have long held for our communities, to build a cycling and walking trail from Gibbston Valley to Bannockburn, which will allow users to explore an incredible piece of New Zealand history and environment", Chair Aaron Halstead says.
Digger on site deep in the Sam’s Flat area
The Southern Lakes Trails, formerly known as the Central Otago Queenstown Trails Network Trust, is responsible for the construction of three trails in the region: Lake Dunstan Trail, Kawarau Gorge Trail and the Wanaka Link.
The ambitious projects will cost $26.3 million, co-funded by Central Government, Central Lakes Trust and Otago Community Trust. A tripartite funding agreement was signed in 2016.
Contractors Wilson Keen Contracting focus on main earthworks, Ellis Mining responsible for suspension bridges and structures, and overall project management is provided by Southern Land. Waka Kotahi NZ Transport Agency is the project lead on the Nevis Bluff portion of the trail.
The Kawarau Gorge Trail is a pivotal component of a game-changing project that connects the four Great Rides in the Otago region, creating a 530km of continuous trail network across Queenstown, Central Otago and connecting through to Waihola near Dunedin.
The highly successful Lake Dunstan trail opened on 31 May, 2019, and has welcomed over 180,000 riders.
Sam’s Flat is named after Samuel Roberts who lived in a nearby hut with his family while employed as a rabbiter on Mt Difficulty Station about 80 years ago.
