The trust held a month-long fundraiser in June, hoping to raise $40,000 - instead it raised $48,510.
Trust chief executive Mark Williams said he was thrilled at the support from the community and the money raised would go towards two stages of Queenstown Trail realignment - the first linking Arrowtown to Arthurs Point and then on through Tucker Beach, across the Shotover River to Frankton.
The second stage would involve a trail from Jack's Point to Frankton, with a pedestrian bridge to Remarkables Park and on to another trail, which would bridge across from Lake Hayes Estate over the Kawarau River, and also link to Frankton.
The resulting trail would improve the visitor experience and benefit residents.
``We can get people out of cars, get them on to trails and have parents comfortable that their kids can cycle to school safely, so I think there's a real benefit both from the social perspective and a national tourism development perspective.
``What we're trying to do, really ... is link all of the communities together in the basin.
``Council's really supportive because they're looking at this whole active transport model, there's a real drive to get people out of their private vehicles and on to public transport and alternate forms of transport and on to their bikes and on to trails.
``The benefits are not only that you can get to where you want to go probably quicker than you can in a car, but there are ... a lot of health benefits.
``Really Queenstown is built around people enjoying the outdoor way of life and being active, so I think actually it enhances everyone's lifestyle by having the ability to jump on your bike on your own trail within five minutes of leaving home, and that's what we want to achieve.''
Mr Williams said because the Queenstown Trail was part of New Zealand's Great Rides network, the trust would qualify for up to 50% government funding for the total cost.
A business case was being worked through, but it was likely to be a multimillion-dollar project, he said.
Consultation with landowners and stakeholders was under way and subject to the business case being accepted and funding secured, Mr Williams said there was ``every possibility'' construction could begin in about a year.
The first stage would probably take about 12 months to complete, he said.
