Queenstown to Dunedin bike trail one step closer

After years of planning and preparation, the Roxburgh Gorge Trail is finally on track to become a fully connected 33-kilometre route, linking Alexandra with Roxburgh.

The Southern Lakes Trails Trust Project Manager, Mark Townsley, said landowners Jack Miller and James Russell had been working with Barrie Wills from the Roxburgh Gorge Trails Trust during the scoping and design phase of the project.

“We are all looking forward to delivering this epic trail as a team now with our contractor.”

With this phase now complete, work has begun on the trail itself, which is expected to open in February 2027.

The new section will primarily follow existing farm tracks, rising above the lake edge on to natural terraces. This alignment allows the trail to be shaped around important heritage, geological and ecological features, preserving the unique character of the gorge.

Townsley said they were able to learn from other local routes.

“Due to the similarities to the route through Lake Dunstan and Kawarau Gorge Trails, we were able to employ techniques and experience we have developed through those two projects. When finished, this trail will have the added benefit of not being in sight or sound of the highway. You really get the feeling of what the gold mining pioneers would have felt back in the day."

Once completed, the trail will offer a seamless ride from Alexandra to Roxburgh. The jet boat experience is expected to continue for riders who want to learn about the area’s history, give their legs a break, or choose to complete the ride with a boat return.

Two small bridges, each under 50 metres — one at Gorge Creek and another at Shingle Creek — will be among the final components installed, along with connections to the existing trail ends at Doctors Point and Shingle Creek. Closing this gap marks a major milestone in developing an interconnected network of off-road trails stretching from Queenstown to Waihola, and eventually linking through to Dunedin.

The Lake Dunstan Trail opened in 2021, and the Kawarau Gorge Trail is set to open in early 2026. Together, these routes total more than 555 kilometres.

The Southern Lakes Trails Trust is also progressing plans for the Cromwell-to-Wānaka link, with development expected to ramp up in 2026.

The project has been supported by Central Lakes Trust, Otago Community Trust, and Ngā Haerenga – New Zealand Cycle Trails.