The 109km easy-graded trail of existing and possible tracks between Queenstown, Arrowtown and Gibbston was named on Thursday by the Ministry of Tourism as one of 13 sites earmarked for feasibility studies for a national cycleway, the second phase of the New Zealand Cycle Trail project.
The trails trust, on behalf of the community, hopes to raise $50,000 from the Wakatipu Trail Blazer towards the $1.8 million it is aiming to generate over the next three years.
The sum would match the ministry's $1.8 million contribution to the Wakatipu Trail, if the feasibility study was successful.
The trail blazer is a 7km walk or run, or a 15km bicycle ride, from Jacks Pt to Jardine Park, on Thursday, March 25.
Registration costs $15 a person and can be made at the event, which begins at 5.45pm, or on the trust's website, www.wakatiputrails.co.nz.
Trust chief executive Kaye Parker said competition and participation from all ages was encouraged and a party at Jardine Park was planned at the end of the event.
The registration fee includes a 12-month trust membership.
Ziptrek Ecotours has invited all residents of the Queenstown Lakes district to experience its two-hour flying fox operation and guided tour through the forest canopy, atop Skyline Gondola, for the discounted price of $50 a person, on Sunday, February 21.
The trails trust will receive $10 from each $50 ticket.
The trip usually costs $119 for adults, or $69 for children.
Residents will need to bring photo identification and an addressed bill to be eligible for the discount.
The first phase of the New Zealand Cycle Trail involves the seven "quick start" cycleways announced last July, which includes the Around the Mountains Cycle Trail.
The 175km track would begin from Walter Peak Station, after a voyage on the steamship Earnslaw, and head through Walter Peak and Mt Nicholas Stations, along the Von Valley to Lake Mavora.
It would follow the Oreti River from Mossburn, along the old railway line to Lumsden, then up to Athol and Garston to Kingston, with the potential for further links to Te Anau and Bluff.
Venture Southland was contracted by the ministry to investigate and undertake the project.
Venture community development and events group manager Rex Capil said the 106-page feasibility study and business case development report on the estimated $10 million to $13 million Around the Mountains Cycle Trail was received by the Ministry of Tourism on January 18.
Mr Capil said he would meet the ministry in Wellington on Wednesday to see what needed to be done for the Government to commit to funding.
The ministry had come back to Venture with questions on accommodation along the trail and the engineering of the route, he said.
