The proposed Kawarau Gorge Trail, which will link to the Lake Dunstan Trail, has the green light to proceed.

The news follows agreement between the Central Otago Queenstown Trails Network Trust (COQTNT) and objectors in an Environment Court appeal.

Trust chairman Stephen Jeffery said in a statement today (Thursday December 8) it was exciting to resume progress on the much anticipated trail, which is part of the $26M+ New Zealand Cycle Trail Project.

The project connects five Great Rides in Central Otago: the Queenstown Trail, the Lake Dunstan Trail, the Otago Central Rail Trail, the Roxburgh Gorge Trail, and the Clutha Gold Trail.

The proposed route connecting Wānaka to Cromwell and the missing 13 kilometres on the

Roxburgh Gorge Trail from Doctors Point to Shingle Creek will complete the ambitious seven-year project, creating over 500 kilometres of linked cycle and walking trails throughout Central Otago.

Stephen said the COQTNT is grateful to the Kawarau Gorge landowners who have provided legal access for the trail at Victoria Flats and Mt Difficulty Station.

He also thanked former Queenstown Lakes District mayor Jim Boult and CEO Mike Theelen and staff for helping the trust overcome both landowner concerns and technical hurdles.

The Kawarau Gorge Trail will traverse from the Nevis Bluff to Bannockburn where it will link with the Lake Dunstan Trail to Clyde.

Waka Kotahi NZ Transport Agency is responsible for the connecting section of the trail from Gibbston through the Nevis Bluff, including a tunnel under the state highway, while the

Goldfields Mining Centre has also embraced the trail concept with exciting developments proposed for the location.

“The final piece in the puzzle, currently underway, is fine tuning for the section of trail that traverses Department of Conservation (DOC) land,” Stephen said.

“We are working with DOC to finalise a community management agreement and lizard management plan to protect the species in the proposed trail area. We hope to have their approval in place in early 2023.”

He said the network of trails in Central Otago can only reinforce the profile of the region as a growing international cycling destination.

“We have already seen the outstanding success of the Lake Dunstan Trail and with the added investment into new trails the future looks particularly bright for cycling tourism in Central Otago.”