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Ride The Ramp

Wednesday, 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

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A Bridge over the Clutha near the Outlet?

Wednesday, 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

Tags: Clutha River Bridge
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Motatapu River Track

Thursday, October 6th, 2016

Track sign at Motatapu road end car park

The Motatapu River Track is the latest addition to the Upper Clutha Tracks Network.

It starts from the west end of the Motatapu Road near Glendhu Bay and follows the Motatapu River downstream to the Mt Aspiring Road just past the Rocky Hill Track.

The track is formed to a simple standard and can be muddy after rain. It is possible to cycle the track but there are a few stiles and steps where bikes will have to be carried.

Track sign On Mt Aspiring Rd

The track follows the Motatapu river and there are lots of great picnic spots and shallow pools along the way.

From Mt Aspiring Road the track also provides a great view of the nearby climbing area and easy access to the small gorge below.

Tags: Motatapu, Motatapu River Track, Track
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A ride down the Newcastle Track

Tuesday, July 9th, 2013

A 2 minute video ride along the Newcastle Track

Combine it with the Upper Clutha River Track to make a great loop ride from Albert Town

Tags: Albert Town to Luggate Track, Clutha Mata-Au, Newcastle Track, Tracks in Wanaka,, UCTT,, Upper Clutha River Track, Upper Clutha Tracks Trust,, Walking Tracks In Wanaka,
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Newcastle Track

Monday, April 15th, 2013

Newcastle Track from Reiko's Lookout

Newcastle Track Opened on 8th December 2012

The new track is 14km long and runs on the true left of the Clutha River from the Hawea River Swing Bridge at Albert Town to near the Red Bridge at Luggate. , It creates a great loop track in conjunction with the Upper Clutha River Track.

The main funder of the track is the Otago Community Trust, with additional funding from the following:

Walking Access Commission – Enhanced Access Fund

The Lion Foundation

Skycity Casino Queenstown Community Trust

The Trust has had considerable support from the Department of Conservation Wanaka Office who have constructed some of the track and managed the project on behalf of the Trust.

The Trust would also like to thank Devon Diaries Ltd the adjoining landowner for their assistance with the project, and Bike Wanaka who will be assuming the day to day responsibility for maintaining the track.

The Trust welcomes anyone who would like to donate their skills and services or even make a financial contribution to future tracks.

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AGM – 17th October 2012

Tuesday, October 9th, 2012

Six years of achievement

The Devil's Nook - Luggate Creek Track

Our annual general meeting will be held at 7.pm on Wednesday 17th October at the Print It Community Room on Brownston St Wanaka.

Everyone is welcome to join us as we celebrate six years of achievement and discuss ideas for new projects.

Our current projects the Newcastle Track and the Luggate Creek Track – stage 2 are both expected to be completed and open by Christmas, and the Trust is now reviewing ideas for new projects.

We will have a range of ideas available for discussion and would welcome any ideas that the public may have.

Everyone is welcome and we look forward to seeing you there on 17th.

Tags: Luggate Creek Track, Luggate Creek Track - stage 2, Newcastle Track, UCTT,, Upper Clutha Tracks Trust,, Walking Tracks In Wanaka,
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Riverrun Trail Series

Friday, September 16th, 2011

Running the lakefrontRiverrun Trail Series

Come and enjoy one of Wanaka’s stunning tracks: the Hawea River Track, the Upper Clutha Track, the Damper Bay/ Waterfall Creek Track and the Outlet Track

Spectacular scenery, exciting trails that wind their way alongside the region’s most stunning waterways and races that appeal to all abilities – the Riverrun Trail Series.

The Riverrun Trail Series allows competitors to explore four of the region’s recently developed tracks. The tracks are all lakeside or riverside and all are challenging in their own respects and will provide a memorable experience for athletes, from first timers to experienced runners.

The Riverrun Trail Series begins 1^st October 2011 and concludes on 19th May 2012 with four races making up the series. There are prizes for place getters and plenty of spot prizes to ensure everyone’s in with a chance of winning.

Enter one or enter the whole Series – the overall winner of the Series will earn the John Pawson Trophy, named after inspirational local John Pawson who was a dedicated advocate for the environment and the development of the trails.

For more information visit www.trailseries.co.nz or email event@trailseries.co.nz

Tags: Glendhu Bay Track, Hawea River Track,, Riverrun Series, Riverrun Trail Series, Upper Clutha River Track, Upper Clutha Tracks Trust,
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Luggate Creek Track Official Opening

Monday, May 23rd, 2011

The Trust would like to invite everyone to join us to celebrate the opening of the Luggate Creek Track on Sunday 30th May at 10 am at Harris Place in Luggate. Harris Place in is the new subdivision in Luggate and is accessed from Pisa Road. See track map for details.

The Luggate Creek Track is the first part of our current projects to be opened and connects the Luggate Township into the track network. The track also provides access to Luggate Creek and limited access to the Devil’s Nook. We hope to be able to improve access to the Devils Nook later in the year as a further phase of this project.

The Devil's Nook - Luggate Creek Track

It is now possible to to walk or cycle between Luggate, Wanaka, Albert Town and Lake Hawea completely off road.

In the near future, we hope to include the small community at John’s Creek into the network, and we are also looking at options to fully connect to Hawea Flat. In the longer term, our goal is to creaet a track all the way down to Cromwell and Clyde to connect with the Otago Central Rail Trail and the Roxburgh Gorge Track.

The Trust is a registered Charity and funds its activities from grants and donations and support from the public and local businesses.

The Trust welcomes support either by cash donations or the donations of skills and services and details of what even small donations can achieve can be found on our Help the Trust build Tracks page.

The Trust is grateful for the support of the following groups for their financial support of the project.

Central Lakes Trust $120,000

Otago Community Trust $30,000

The Trusts Charitable Foundation $20,000

Alexander McMillan Trust $10,000

Callis Trust $10,000

Lion Foundation $10,000

First Sovereign Trust $10,000

DOC $43,244

The balance of the funds have been provided by the Trust.

Tags: Albert Town to Luggate Track, Clutha Mata-Au, Clutha River Track, Devils Nook, Luggate Creek Track, The Nook, UCTT,, Upper Clutha River Track, Upper Clutha Tracks Trust,, Walking Tracks In Wanaka,
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New Projects Fully Funded

Wednesday, April 13th, 2011

Gladstone Track at Lake Hawea

The Trust is pleased to announce that after more than a year of fund raising we have finally achieved the full budget total of $291,617 for our latest track project.

Our new project is the extension of the track network at both Lake Hawea and at Luggate.

Lake Hawea to Johns Creek.

This new section of track will run connect with the existing track through the the lakeside reserve and then run mostly along the cliff tops to the small settlement at Johns Creek. This will be of a similar standard to the Upper Clutha River Track, and will also form part of the Te Araroa long distance pathway.

View from the Gladstone Track

Planning for this section has been taking place for some time and we are currently waiting for a resource consent for a small section of track. We hope to start construction of some of this track in the next couple of months.

Red Bridge to the Devils’s Nook and Luggate Township.

This will extend the existing Upper Clutha River Track, downstream along the Clutha River to Luggate Creek where a new footbridge will cross the creek. Once over the creek a track will give access to the Devils Nook, a beautiful feature of the Clutha River and provide easier fishing access downstream.

The Devils Nook from the Luggate Creek Track

A track will also follow Luggate Creek up the township and the Luggate Pub for those who feel they deserve a drink after completing the track.

Work has already started on constructing the track and bridge and we hope to be able to open this section in June.

Luggate Creek Bridge

Funding

The Trust is grateful for the support of the following groups for their financial support of the project.

Central Lakes Trust $120,000

Otago Community Trust $30,000

The Trusts Charitable Foundation $20,000

Alexander McMillan Trust $10,000

Callis Trust $10,000

Lion Foundation $10,000

First Sovereign Trust $10,000

DOC $43,244

The balance of the funds have been provided by the Trust.

Tags: Clutha River Track, Johns Creek Track, Luggate Creek Track, UCTT,, Upper Clutha River Track, Upper Clutha Tracks Trust,
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Riverrun Series

Monday, October 11th, 2010

The Riverrun Trail Series is an off-road running series designed to showcase the spectacular lakeside and river tracks in Lake Wanaka.

The first event is on the 17 October, on the Hawea River Track and offers a 5km, 10 km and half marathon option.

The Riverrun Trail Series will allow competitors to explore three of the region’s recently developed tracks – the Hawea River Track, the Upper Clutha River Track and the Glendhu Bay Track. The tracks are all lakeside or riverside and all are challenging in their own respects and will provide a memorable experience for athletes, from first timers to experienced runners.

The Riverrun Trail Series begins October 2010 and concludes in May 2011 with three races making up the series. There are prizes for place getters and plenty of spot prizes to ensure everyone’s in with a chance of winning.

Enter one or enter the whole Series – the overall winner of the Series will earn the John Pawson Trophy, named after local John Pawson who was the first chair of the Upper Clutha Tracks Trust and a driving force behind the creation of the tracks.

More information about the Riverrun Series can be found at www.trailseries.co.nz

Tags: Clutha River Track, Glendhu Bay Track, Hawea River Track,, Riverrun Series, Riverrun Trail Series, Upper Clutha Tracks Trust,
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