Trail work to Waihola continues

A 45KM bike trail set to link Lawrence with Waihola is nearing completion.

The boardwalk part of the trail, which is being built near the edge of Lake Waihola, will on conclusion, wind its way to the carpark near the Waihola playground.

But that does not mean it is completely finished or will be opened straight away.

Although parts of the

$6.5 million trail are already open, the trail is set to have an official opening in October.

The leg of the trail from Lawrence to Waitahuna has been open since January, but the leg from Waitahuna to Waihola remains closed.

Clutha Gold Trail manager Shayne O’Connor said there was still work required to get that part of the trail up to the expected standard, as there would be defects on the newly built trail caused by weather, which needed to be fixed as everything had to be up to scratch.

So far, work had taken more than two years.

The work of the volunteers to build the track had been fantastic, he said.

‘‘We are really grateful for all the money we have been given from the Government and other parties, but it wouldn’t have happened without all the voluntary help we’ve had. It has been mindblowing,’’ he said.

The trail had three tunnels in the Manuka Gorge area and they were quite striking, he said.

The project had moreorless kept to budget and plenty of hard work had been done.

When it was officially completed, there would be a bike trail from Cromwell right down to Waihola.

The plan was to eventually have it start in Wa¯naka and Queenstown, which would join the trail in Cromwell.

There were also plans to build a trail from Waihola through to Dunedin.

The trail built from Cromwell to Waihola was a real contrast, Mr O’Connor said.

‘‘The landscape is very different. You start in Central Otago with those big hills and big skies. Then you go down to Roxburgh and into Lawrence when you spend a lot of time in a gorge really.

‘‘Then when you get past Lawrence and further along it branches out into rolling green hills and real farm country. It is going to be an enjoyable ride for everyone.’’

PHOTO: STEPHEN JAQUIERY Crossing the gap . . . Workers construct the boardwalk over Lake Waihola as part of the Clutha Gold Trail extension from Lawrence to Waihola.