Twenty-four Wakatipu land owners have been honoured for their contribution to the $5.4 million 110km Queenstown Trail which opens next month.

Deputy Prime Minister and local MP Bill English dished out certificates of appreciation at a function at Lake Hayes’ Amisfield Winery last Friday.

The land owners have provided easements in perpetuity over their land to open up previously inaccessible and scenic countryside for cyclists and walkers.

“It is a pleasure to acknowledge the role of the landowners in the Queenstown Trail,” English told the function.

“Their generosity in giving up something puts the responsibility on the rest of us to make sure that generosity is respected.”

Landowners along with trail sponsors will also be honoured on a wall of recognition at Gibbston.

The trail connects three main hubs, Central Queenstown, Arrowtown and Gibbston, crosses three rivers, the Shotover, Kawarau and Arrow, and follows alongside Lakes Wakatipu and Hayes.

It is the joint initiative of the Queenstown Trails Trust, Queenstown Lakes District Council and the New Zealand Cycle Trail project.

The trail is one of 18 projects earmarked as the NZ Great Ride.

“We believe the Queenstown Trail will be an important catalyst for tourism and economic development in the area,” QTT chief executive Kaye Parker says.

“The opportunities it offers are outstanding and Queenstown is expected to become a biking mecca for both locals and visitors.”

The trust hopes to secure the final $195,000 required to complete trail before it’s officially opened on October 18.

A credit: Bill English poses with Queenstown Trails Trust trustees and generous land owners at Amisfield Winery last Friday. Photo credit: Jim Pollard