Hawea Flat Link Track Update
October 14th, 2020
Work is well underway on the new track directly linking Hawea Flat to the Hawea River Track. This track was made possible by Devon Dairies Farm owners giving the Trust an easement for public access across their private land.
The contractors have recently installed the key piece of infrastructure for the track, an underpass under the main farm road.
It is planned to have the track open in the next couple of months.
The project has been funded by
Central Lakes Trust,
Otago Community Trust
QLDC
Callis Trust
Upper Clutha Tracks Trust
Gladstone Track Update
March 31st, 2020
There has been a cliff collapse between Muir Road and John Creek. This has NOT affected the track, but please do not walk along this section of beach as a return route. Please use the track only in both directions.
Give People Space
March 31st, 2020
COVID-19: PHYSICAL DISTANCING ON THE TRAILS
26/03/2020
PHYSICAL DISTANCING ON THE TRAILS
(updated 10.30am 26/3/2020 – based on government advice)
Our world has changed enormously in the past few weeks, as New Zealand braces for the important COVID-19 lockdown. With some trails likely to come under increasing pressure in the coming weeks. We’ve created some guidelines, based on current government advice to ensure everyone stays safe:
• If in doubt, don’t go out – from here on in act like you have Covid-19
• Stay local, stick to easy grade trails in your own neighbourhood, please avoid driving to trail heads, single tracks and backcountry trails. The last thing you want to do is end up in A&E putting more pressure on the health services
• Our local trails provide an opportunity for daily exercise and a great mental health break, but ride or walk within your family ‘bubble’ only. Mixing family groups or meeting friends for a walk risks the entire purpose and could lead to a longer lockdown period.
• On loop trails, please give maximum space to those coming in the opposite direction (minimum 2m distance, preferably more)
• Please refrain from touching fencing, bridges, hand rails or any other infrastructure, what we know so far is the virus can remain live on metals and plastics for up to 3 days. Use gloves if necessary and hand wash or sanitise.
• Please respect all facility closures, including any public toilets, water fountains and playgrounds.
• Please keep dogs on a lead at all times and don’t use headphones.
Be calm, kind and responsible – do your bit for New Zealand and stop the spread of Covid-19.
Please note: We will update these guidelines in accordance with national government advice
For the most up to date info please visit www.covid19.govt.nz
Cardrona River Community Planting Day & Track Opening
September 11th, 2019
The Upper Clutha Tracks Trust and Sustainable Coastlines are having a Community Planting day at Cameron Creek/Cardrona River, followed by the official opening of the Cameron Creek Track. Sat 14th September. Community Planting from 1.30pm Details below.
Track Opening 4pm
Ride The Ramp
January 16th, 2019
UCTT Hawea Swing Bridge Accessibility Ramp – Opening Sun 27th Jan 10AM
Ride The Ramp – Sunday 27th January 2019
To celebrate the offical opening of the new accessibility ramp adjoining the Hawea River Swing Bridge, the Upper Clutha Tracks Trust invite one and all to come and ride (stroll, push or walk) the ramp on Sunday 27th January.
Groups will depart the following locations at the times listed below. If you are wanting to walk or run, we suggest leaving a little earlier.
Departures:
Hawea Hotel – meet @ 8.45am for 9am departure
Camphill Bridge – meet 9.15am for 9.30am departure
Wanaka Log Cabin – meet 8.45am for 9am departure via the lakefront and outlet tracks
Albert Town shops – meet 9.15am for 9.30am departure
Official Opening of the Ramp
An official opening of the new ramp will happen at 10AM with Queenstown Lakes District Council Deputy Mayor Calum MacLeod officiating with ribbon cutting duties.
Easy vehicle access for those travelling by car is via the Albert Town Hawea River Campground access road off SH6.
We encourage everyone to continue on to Albert Town for coffee afterwards (because a ride/run/walk/stroll is always better with coffee and Albert Town is home to some of the finest caffeinated drops in the district, all conveniently situated beside our local tracks).
About the Ramp
Construction
Construction was completed in early December for the 2018/19 summer holiday season that sees many locals and visitors alike make the most of the long days and holiday period to get out and enjoy the local trail networks connecting the Upper Clutha. Six weeks on, the Hawea Swing Bridge Ramp has proven to be a resounding success for locals and visitors alike as well as the marking a successful first major build milestone by the Upper Clutha Tracks Trust as part of their Accessibility project.
The ramp was built by local builder Roy Bailey with the construction of the ramp made possible by the joint fundraising efforts of local physiotherapist Kate Turner and Bikevember as well as the generous support of local/regional trusts, funding organisations and individuals.
Ramp Funders
Southern Trust
QLDC Local Community Support Fund
Lion Foundation
Skycity Casino (Qtown) Community Trust
Callis Charitable Trust
Meg Taylor
Max Shepherd
Bikevember
Kate Turner
Accessibility Project
One of the key initiatives of the UCTT is to improve “accessibility” for all.
Starting with the removal of chicanes and styles from popular local tracks, the Hawea River Swing Bridge Accessibility Ramp represents the first major accessibility construction project with the aim of ongoing improvement of access to the track network for wheel chairs, strollers, electric bikes and recumbent bikes in the Upper Clutha area.
Images & Media
Images and additional information are available upon request by emailing: info@uctt.org.nz
Upper Clutha Tracks Trust
The Upper Clutha Tracks Trust is a non profit organisation dedicated to developing a high quality network of public trails around Wanaka and the Upper Clutha Basin.
The Trust is made up of eleven passionate members of the Wanaka community, plus representatives from the Queenstown Lakes District Council and the Department of Conservation.
If you or someone you know would like to contribute to future projects and developments of the track network in the Upper Clutha, you can do so by emailing: Info@uctt.org.nz
Web: www.uctt.org.nz
Facebook: www.facebook.com/uppercluthatrackstrust
The new Hawea River Bridge Ramp
Drone Photo Credit: Ian Weir
We look forward to seeing you Sunday 27th January,
The Upper Clutha Tracks Trust
The Hawea River Bridge Ramp – An Update.
October 20th, 2017
This time last year Bikevember and the Trust set up a givealittle page to raise funds to build a ramp for the Hawea Swing bridge to improve access for cyclists and other users.
A idea of what it may look like is pictured below
A total of $2,760 was raised via the site. The project has a working budget of $40k.
Since then the Trust has been working with DOC on a practical design and has been obtaining prices for materials and construction.
The Trust was recently successful in an application to the Skycity (Queenstown) Community Trust, and they have donated $5,000 towards materials for the ramp.
The Trust is continuing to fundraise andwork on the project.
If you would like to support this project, donations can be made on this page or via our facebook page .
A Bridge over the Clutha near the Outlet?
July 19th, 2017
The Upper Clutha Tracks Trust is seeking public feedback on the concept of a cycle/footbridge over the Clutha River just downstream from the Outlet.
This would provide a key new link in the Upper Clutha track network, giving easy access to Dublin Bay and the Deans Bank Tracks. It could also provide a great option for the Great Ride Track (National Cycleways) linking Wanaka to Cromwell.
The bridge would need to be between 100 and 140 metres depending on its exact location, and would look something like this 148m bridge on the Heaphy track.
The 148m Swing bridge on the Heaphy Track
Some possible bridge locations are between the Outlet and scenic photo point 8.
Some possible location for the foot/cyclebridge.
The bridge would provide easy access from Wanaka Township to Dublin Bay, and the tracks on the true left of the Clutha River. It would reduce the distance from the log cabin to Dublin Bay from 19km to 11.5km, cutting approx 7.5km from the journey.
It would also open a quicker route to the Deans Banks mountain bike track network and create a great 7.5km loop track to Albert Town on both sides of the Clutha River.
The Great Ride Connection
Planning is underway to link the Great Rides (National Cycleways) in Central Otago. As part of this project there will be a new Great Ride from Wanaka to Cromwell. It is anticipated that this will use the existing Upper Clutha River Track to Albert Town.
The connection from Albert Town to Wanaka Township is yet to be considered. The key issues for Great Ride is that they be as scenic and “great” as possible, whilst keeping to a well defined track standard.
One possible route would be from Albert Town to Wanaka on the true left of the Clutha River, and the track would cross back to the Wanaka side near the outlet.
The Trust would welcome public comments and suggestions regarding this proposal.
Comments can be left on the UCTT facebook page