102 | COMMUNITY Queenstown Trails Trust: Arrowtown to Arthurs Point T T Richard Loader New trail completes the “missing link” Photo: PhotosbyLeigh Creating green corridors that foster the stewardship of restored native fauna and flora are key benefits that the new $6 million Arrowtown to Tuckers Beach walking and cycle trail will deliver when completed in about eighteen months’ time, says Queenstown Trails Trust CEO Mark Williams. “The Queenstown Trails are now being considered green corridors, that enable the trapping and removal of exotic pests and predators, and replacement of wilding pines with the restoration of native species. “There’s an element of stewardship about that where if people are exposed to these environmental benefits, they also appreciate the need to protect them. “If you’re able to see this amazing landscape, and it has been restored, and the native birds are singing in the trees, that’s such a wonderful thing that you want to protect. That idea of a green corridor is a really good one.” Encompassing 130-kilometres of off-road cycle and walking trail circumnavigating Queenstown, The Queenstown Trail was opened in 2012, and is one of 23 Great Rides throughout New Zealand. The Queenstown Trails Trust is responsible for the management of the trail, in conjunction with the Queenstown Lakes District Council (QLDC). “We act as the trail manager, and facilitator of new trails and connections and jointly responsible for the maintenance of those new trails,” says Mark. “There was a pretty significant missing link in the northern side of the Wakatipu basin, between Arrowtown, Arthurs Point and Tuckers Beach/Frankton. Arthurs Point was isolated, and didn’t have any trails connected to it at all. “There was a lot of trail development happening up on Coronet Peak and two years ago we opened a new route around the back of Coronet Peak called the Coronet Loop. So there was a lot of development, but it wasn’t connected The idea of the extension between Arrowtown, Arthurs Point and Tuckers Beach was to complete the link. “The extension will provide an off-road opportunity from Arrowtown, Arthurs Point, down the Shotover Gorge, across and over a new suspension bridge, to get to Tuckers Beach and Frankton.” The 17 kilometres of off-road trail will run from Arrowtown and follow Mill Creek, which is the main feeder creek to Lake Hayes, and then head upstream towards the base of Coronet Peak. Passionate about the trails, and an avid on and off-road cyclist, Mark says what has been really exciting is working alongside the Mana Tāhuna Charitable Trust, who has been involved in the restoration of the Mill Creek catchment. “They’ve been planting native riparian vegetation all along the creek as a step towards improving Lake Hayes’ water quality, and the new trail will take you right along that planting. We then sidle up to the head of Mill Creek , and follow the contours on a nice bench at the base of Coronet Peak, tying in nicely with a lot of the mountain bike and walking trails. “We get to Arthurs Point and then drop down to the Shotover River, and navigate through the old 108-metre long gold mining tunnel that goes from Big Beach, through to the Shotover Gorge. “The trail continues downstream of the Gorge, which is quite spectacular. Currently, the only way to access it is in a jet boat. The next highlight will be the new suspension bridge that crosses over the Shotover River at Tucker Beach.” The project has been broken into two stages, with the Arrowtown to Arthurs Point track currently in progress and expected to be completed by February 2024. The second stage, Arthurs Point to Tucker Beach, is expected to be completed in 12 – 18 months. Detailed design of the complete trail was undertaken by Patterson Pitts Group, while the suspension bridge was designed by Stantec, and the engineering of the old tunnel was designed by WSP. “This approach has ensured that specialists have been involved all the way through. “The tender for the first stage of the trail was awarded to M3 Construction from Central Otago, and they commenced their work in February. “They’ve completed a lot of trail work, including the Lake Dunstan Trail. The suspension bridge over the Shotover is currently out for tender, and we hope to get tenders out for Stage Two of the trail in the next two to three months.” Queenstown Trails Trust CEO Mark Williams: “If you’re able to see this amazing landscape, and it has been restored, and the native birds are singing in the trees, that’s such a wonderful thing that you want to protect”.
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