Arthurs Point to Arrowtown trail to open this weekend

In time for the second week of the school holidays, the much-anticipated Wharehuanui Trail linking Arrowtown to Arthurs Point is set to open on Saturday.

Despite construction works having been completed weeks ago, official sign off from authorities was required before cyclists, walkers and runners could be given green light to take to the 13 kilometre trail.

But now the wait is over, with the opening day announcement made this morning by Queenstown Trails, the organisation spearheading the active transport project.

The safety tape will come down as the Wharehuanui Trail opens on Saturday, October 5, 2024.

Following the foothills of Coronet Peak, and tracing Mill Creek from its source before connecting into the existing Countryside Trail at Millbrook, the new trail is the result of seven years’ work by Queenstown Trails with the support of many stakeholders and the community. 

Trails chief executive Mark Williams refers to it as the missing link.

“The big focus of the Wharehuanui Trail is creating a seamless recreational link between the valley trails and the wider backcountry mountain bike trail network on and around Coronet Peak and Mahu Whenua.”

He says there are plenty of benefits for the community from trails like this one.

“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."

The Wharehuanui Trail will also provide users a glimpse of ongoing conservation efforts by another community organisation, Mana Tahuna, as it passes the extensive Mill Creek/Lake Hayes restoration project.

“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,” Mr Williams says.

The trail has been built in partnership with the Queenstown Lakes District Council parks and reserves team, and its ongoing maintenance will be managed by the council following the official completion of the project.

An official opening function will be announced later in the year.

For now, Mr Williams has a long list of 'thank yous' to those who have helped the project reach this latest milestone.

Queenstown Trails boss Mark ‘Willy’ Williams is 'stoked' to be able to open the Wharehuanui Trail to the public this weekend (Image: Supplied/Geoff Marks).

"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."

Main image (Supplied/Geoff Marks): A section of the 13 kilometre Wharehuanui Trail linking Arthurs Point and Arrowtown.