West Otago's newest visitor attraction - offering
breathtaking views of the district - will be officially
opened early next month.
The Blue Mountain Walk, connecting Whisky Gully and Black
Gully, has been in the works for more than five years.
The West Otago Community Board first came up with the idea of
establishing an overnight walking route on top of the Blue
Mountains about six years ago, but a tourism consultants'
report in 2003 recommended the venture not proceed.
Local enthusiasm returned in 2006 after a meeting with the
Department of Conservation's Southland branch and an action
group was formed aimed at developing a marked route and
track.
Working party spokesman Colin Read said a route was mapped
after many consultations with Doc and several trips up the
mountains.
Because Doc did not have any walking tracks in its 10-year
management strategy, Tapanui-West Otago Promotions entered
into a formal agreement to manage the establishment and
maintenance of the project.
The West Otago Lions Club, deerstalkers, Duke of Edinburgh
students from Blue Mountain College and other volunteers
helped clear vegetation and number markers.
The track covers 14km and involves a six to eight-hour walk.
The official opening will be at Black Gully on October 5 at
10am.
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