Old tunnel may become part of trail
A NEWLY discovered mining tunnel on the banks of the Shotover River is set to become part of a trail network linking the outer suburbs of Queenstown.
While scouting the land near Arthurs Point for new track locations, the Queenstown Trails Trust discovered an old mining tunnel hidden behind some scrub.
The 100mlong tunnel, which still has old tram lines inside, opens on Department of Conservation land on one side and at the other end on the riverbank.
It was estimated to have been dug out about 1887.
Trust chief executive Mark Williams said the find was ‘‘amazing’’.
‘‘It’s really exciting. If we can get this tunnel as part of the trail, it could be a worldrenowned trail.’’
Although the floor of the tunnel was covered in pools of water and a few old logs, Mr Williams believed it would be a simple process to get it up to scratch.
The trust quickly got in touch with Heritage New Zealand, which was enthusiastic about the possibility of the tunnel being used, he said.
Lakes District Museum direc tor David Clarke believed the tunnel might have been used for bringing water in from the river, as the locality was a ‘‘very intensive area for dredging’’.
The new trail will form stage one of the trust’s plan to connect the outer suburbs of Queenstown by a trail network.
Mr Williams said stage one would involve connecting Arrowtown to Arthurs Point, and Arthurs Point to Frankton.
Stage two would connect Jacks Point to Frankton.
While the trails were a visitor attraction, Mr Williams was also keen on the consequence for locals.
Cycling connections were particularly important given the relocation of Wakatipu High School to Frankton, he said.
‘‘There’s no safe way to get there on a bike.’’
Work on stage one would start within the next 12 to 18 months.
Although people might be tempted to explore the tunnel for themselves, Mr Williams said access to the opening is on private land. The trust was negotiating access.
Next month also marks the start of the trust’s annual appeal.
Donations can be made on the Queenstown Trail website.
❛ If we can get this tunnel as part of the trail, it could be a worldrenowned trail