Second stage of cycle trail opened
The newest section of the Te Anau to Manapouri cycle trail is open for use, with people of all ages welcomed out for a spin.
On Sunday, about 100 people gathered for the public opening of section two of the trail, which goes from from Queens Reach to Balloon Loop.
Fiordland Trails Trust chairman Dr Stephen Hoskin said it was ‘‘very pleasing’’ to have the next stage open to the public.
The second section opened up another 9km of track, making the current total 19km, he said.
The cycle trail added value to the region for several reasons, including health and wellbeing, social benefits and tourism, Hoskin said.
The trail was estimated to bring more than $1 million to the region each year from tourism, he said.
However, it was mostly locals who were out and about to experience the new section, he said.
Children on bikes, mums with prams and people out for a run filled the track after the official opening.
Having about 100 people at the opening was a surprisingly good turnout for the town, Hoskin said.
The first stage was completed almost a year ago – on June 26, – and runs 10km from the Department of Conservation visitor centre to Queens Reach.
Hoskin said it had taken since 2007, when the trust was founded, to complete the first section of the trail.
So far the trail has cost about $880,000, and a further $460,000 is needed to get to Manapouri, he said.
The Community Trust of Southland gave a grant of $150,000, and the rest was from sponsors, supporters and donations from small businesses and the public, he said.
The trail’s major sponsors were Meridian Energy, New Zealand Lottery Grants Board, Transpower New Zealand, the Te Anau Community Board and the MararoaWaimea Ward.
It was ‘‘enormously satisfying’’ to get the support, he said.
The trail was waiting for approval for a change in the Fiordland National Park Management Plan, so the trail could go through the park.
In the meantime, fundraising will be ‘‘full steam ahead’’, he said. ‘‘We want to be ready.’’
Once the trail is completed, it will be 28km long, Hoskin said.