Cycle trail mooted to keep tourists longer in coastal SC
A new cycle trail has been proposed to attract more visitors to the Geraldine, Pleasant Point and Temuka areas.
It was initiated by Geraldine bed and breakfast owner, John Jensen, and has been wellsupported by the hospitality sector and the Geraldine Community Board.
Jensen said he is excited about the potential 46-kilometre Kakahu Lime Bike Trail, which would be a loop track covering the Geraldine, Pleasant Point and Temuka communities on roads less travelled so cyclists would not have to compete with heavy vehicles and traffic.
‘‘We are trying to introduce at least three activities here which could be put into a package deal to be centred around cycling.’’
‘‘This won’t be as big as some of the others [around the country] but will certainly include an overnight stay maybe in the Pleasant Point region.’’
Jensen said the route will run through the already existing Opihi River walk/cycleway and return to Geraldine via the coast on Brown’s Beach and existing trail bike tracks up the south side of the Orari River.
He said the purpose of the trail was to make Geraldine a destination rather than a transit town.
He believes this will entice more visitors to the region and create business growth, providing additional business for cafe´s and accommodation and potentially linking with other bike trails and rural towns.
‘‘We’re certainly hoping to attract more tourists.’’
He said it was hoped more people would choose to stay a night rather than passing through on their way to and from Queenstown.
The proposed Geraldine route will take in sites such as the Hanging Rock, the site of what was St Aidens Church with the churches graveyard still in existence, Kakahu’s limestone kiln, the Richard Pearse Memorial, and the Pleasant Point Railway.
Jensen said there had been a positive response from the Geraldine Community Board after the idea had been proposed at its March meeting, and discussion centred around the need for further testing of the track and more investigative work being required.
‘‘The community board has been very supportive of the idea.
‘‘The council is looking at things like road safety, why we’re picking single roads, and how much of ratepayers’ money can be put to overcoming obstacles like signage and those sorts of things.
‘‘In the main, so far they’ve been supportive, but slow. We are working on this idea with the council and have a meeting arranged post Covid-19 where we can get together.’’
The owner of Geraldine Heritage Trails and Tales said some tourists had been taken on the trail already and had given ‘‘very positive’’ feedback.
‘‘There’s a couple of B&Bs that have got behind us, and we’re already taking some guests over that trail.
‘‘They’re enjoying it, and we’ve had some good responses from them so far.’’