Our work is made possible with funding from these organisations:
The big picture - a $26.3million project. Various groups of community-minded people advocated for a series of trails connecting their communities with the wider Central Otago region. Thanks to funding from Central Lakes Trust, three feasibility studies were commissioned in 2012. These studies confirmed the wide-reaching benefits of creating a network of recreational trails linking communities together.
In 2015 the various community groups and trusts combined, forming the Central Otago Queenstown Trails Network Trust. This new entity signed a tripartite funding agreement with Central Government, Central Lakes Trust and Otago Community Council, with funds contributed totalling $26.3 million.
This was the beginning of what is now the Southern Lakes Trails Trust.
We couldn’t do it without the whole team!
Multi-million dollar projects don’t just happen! In addition to our funders, we acknowledge the support of many, many people and organisations:
Landowners, Communities, Supporters and many Volunteers
Contractors, Consultants, Technical Experts and Advisors
Philanthropic Groups
Queenstown Lakes District Council
Central Otago District Council
Tourism Central Otago and Trail Hub
Waka Kotahi - New Zealand Transport Agency
The first project to be completed: The Lake Dunstan Trail
The Lake Dunstan Trail continues to be maintained to a high quality standard thanks to contributions from our Official Partners: businesses that use the trail and care about its future; our Official Supporters and people who walk, ride and appreciate this amazing asset, contributing through donations.
Join the Lake Dunstan Trail team:
Official Partners - businesses that use the trail, care about its future, and meet our quality requirements
Trail Supporters - families and individuals who contribute because they care about the trail and its future
Donations - every $$ counts!
How much does it cost to build and maintain trails?
To understand the sheer scale of these multi-million dollar projects, you can read a summary of our financial statements for the year ending 30 June 2024 here.
The full Performance Report can be found on the Charities Register (Charities Services | Home).
During the 2024 financial year, the Trust:
Managed operation and maintenance of the Lake Dunstan Trail from Smiths Way to Clyde.
Began our second big construction project - the Kawarau Gorge Trail from Gibbston to Bannockburn.
Continued planning, documentation and progress with landowners, Councils and engineers for the next trail projects: Smiths Way to Wanaka, and the Roxburgh Gorge gap.