About the Southern Lakes Trails Network
Connecting communities through world-class trails that inspire adventure and preserve the natural beauty of New Zealand's landscapes.
What is the Southern Lakes Trails Network?
The Southern Lakes Trails Network (SLT) is a connected system of purpose-built walking and cycling trails across the Southern Lakes region, developed over nearly two decades through collaboration between community groups, landowners, businesses and government partners.
First trail work began in the mid-2000s, and since then the network has been united by a shared purpose: to create, maintain and grow a world-class, sustainable trail system that benefits locals, visitors and the regional economy.
The network includes a wide range of trails across the region. Within this sits Queenstown Trails, a nationally recognised trail system that includes several of Nga Haerenga – New Zealand’s Great Rides.
Pioneering Growth
Build
The role of SLT has always been about innovation and breaking ground to deliver the vision for our community. From our initial consultations, community engagement, fundraising, trail design, construction and ongoing maintenance – the work we do has already brought huge benefits to our region.
Share
Our role is to provide the resources for you to share with your community, your trail buddies and your customers. The network almost sells itself and the interest in our latest trail, Kawarau Gorge, highlights the importance of building robust systems for the long term.
Support
The Southern Lakes Trails network receives no direct funding from local councils and relies heavily on funding from CentralLakes Trust, and other grants from central government with a focus on design, consultation and build costs.The future of the trail network in our region will need to shift to a user-supported model, and the opening of the Kawarau Gorge Trail will utilise a new matrix of funding including membership, partnership and certification.
Enjoy!
With an expanded network, a growing tribe of supporters and the promise of ongoing growth and improvement, our trails are in safe hands. With the support of our community we can continue to provide the innovation, motivation and expertise to build our region’s reputation as a premier destination for exploring the unique landscapes and history of New Zealand’s lower South Island.
Our People
The Southern Lakes Trails team is made up of all sorts of people, but first and foremost they are all passionate trail builders and community leaders.
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Co-Patron
Jonty and his family have been strong supporters of the trail network from the very beginning, continuing the legacy of his late father, Sir Eion Edgar. Committed to fostering the development of the Southern Lakes Trails, Jonty’s involvement reflects both a deep personal connection to the region and a desire to see it flourish.
With a background in finance and extensive community connections, Jonty brings invaluable expertise to the trust. His passion for the Otago region runs deep, having lived in both Dunedin and Queenstown.
Jonty is especially excited about the long-term vision of creating a seamless trail connection from Queenstown Airport to Dunedin Airport and city – a project he believes will further enhance the region’s reputation as a world-class destination for locals and visitors alike.
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Co-Patron
With us from the very beginning, Kaye was a key part of the original vision for the trail network. She previously served as CEO of the Queenstown Trails Trust, so brought significant experience in negotiating landowner easements and could oversee the funding, development, and marketing of the Queenstown Trail.
Kaye was the initial Deputy Chair of the Trust at its inception. She has remained with the trust as co-patron along with Jonty Edgar, highlighting her ongoing commitment. As co-patron she leads fundfraising efforts and is tasked with engaging the support of philanthropic individuals and organisations for trail projects.
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Trust Chair
A trustee since 2019, Aaron Halstead took over the role of Chair of the Southern Lakes Trails Trust in 2023. With a diverse background in risk and safety leadership, board governance, and extensive experience overseeing large-scale, complex construction and engineering projects, Aaron brings a strategic focus on collaboration to the Trust.
Aaron’s passion for multi-use trails is personal - he is an avid rider, often seen biking the trails he works to build. His focus is on connecting communities across an expansive trail network, enhancing wellbeing and economic benefits by encouraging people to get out and enjoy our spectacular natural environment.
Leading a strong and cohesive team of trustees with complementary skill sets and valuable experience, Aaron’s goal is to realise the vision and commitment of those who have previously contributed to this remarkable project. He continues to drive towards the ultimate goal of an interconnected trail network across Otago, ensuring the benefits are enjoyed by all.
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Chief Executive
Janeen Wood and her husband moved to Cromwell in 2006 to establish a tourism business and be closer to family. Immersing herself in community initiatives, Janeen played a pivotal role in bringing together successive Community Plans, starting in 2008. Utilising her expertise in corporate management, teaching, environmental stewardship, and health and safety, she structured the plan’s action points into a formal framework. One significant action was to investigate the feasibility of a trail from Cromwell to Clyde, a project Janeen passionately championed as it expanded into a remarkable network of trails connecting the entire region.
Janeen volunteered as a trustee when the original Lower Lake Dunstan Trails Trust was formed, and she has played a crucial role in managing the region’s trail projects ever since. Her various voluntary roles facilitated a community collaboration, leading to the formation of the Central Otago Queenstown Trail Network Trust (COQTNT) in 2016, which developed the highly successful Lake Dunstan Trail. This trail has exceeded all expectations, earned Great Ride status and continues to deliver wide-ranging benefits to the community.
Currently, Janeen serves as Trail Manager for the Lake Dunstan Trail and Chief Executive of the rebranded Southern Lakes Trails Trust. She oversees the Kawarau Gorge Trail and Wānaka Link projects, fostering collaboration among all parties to bring these trail networks to fruition.
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Project Manager / Maintenance Lead
Mark has been involved with Southern Lakes Trails since 2016. After serving almost 9 years on the Trust Board and as technical adviser, in January 2025 Mark resigned as a trustee so that he could commit himself full time to building and maintaining trails. With over 25 years professional experience in the civil construction industry, Mark has delivered many projects and held senior roles with Tier 1 companies. In this time Mark has built an extensive knowledge of the end to end process of delivering and maintaining infrastructure assets, allowing him to guide the Trust through scoping, consenting, design, construction and maintenance phases on all our Trails. A passionate biker, Mark lives in Queenstown with his wife and two boys. As a family they love the exploration and adventure the great outdoors of Southern New Zealand offers. This gives Mark the drive and dedication to deliver a quality trail network as a legacy for the region.
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Trustee
Simon Wearing is a Chartered Accountant with over 20 years of experience in public practice, bringing strong business insights and a natural feel for numbers to the Southern Lakes Trails Trust. His professional background allows him to apply critical thinking and ask the right questions to drive successful project outcomes.
Based in Alexandra, Simon is passionate about biking and enjoys exploring the region’s breathtaking landscapes. He believes in the power of projects that encourage people to get outdoors and experience the beauty of Central Otago. In his free time, you’ll find him challenging himself on the trails of Matangi Station.
With strong connections throughout Central Otago and Southern Lakes, Simon is dedicated to making a positive impact on the community through his role as a trustee. He lives with his wife, Victoria, an avid trail runner, and their three children - Ben, Rose, and Jasper.
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Trustee
Tom is a very keen mountain biker, and a Trustee on the Upper Clutha Trails Trust (Wānaka). Importantly, he was also a high country farmer, raised on Lake Hawea Station, which has been owned by his family since 1912. Tom was the landowner when a 20 kilometre section of the nationally-recognised Te Araroa trail was built through this property.
Tom was involved in the 2015 feasibility study for the Wānaka Link, and was recently instrumental in overseeing the route design and construction of DoC standard trails in Wānaka.
Together, this gives him a unique, highly valuable grass roots perspective when working with land owners and he has built a wealth of experience in negotiating property easements that are beneficial to all parties.
The experience and skills he brings to the trust ensures our trail work remains community focused and enhances the Central Otago and Southern Lakes trail experience for all.
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Trustee
Tony grew up in Alexandra and developed a passion for mountain biking, particularly in the Central Otago area. An avid skier, Tony served as Chair and Director of the Treble Cone Ski Area for many years until its sale to Cardrona. With an extensive governance background, he has held key positions in tourism companies and Snow Sports New Zealand.
Tony views the trails developed and maintained by Southern Lakes Trails Trust as vital long-term tourism assets that significantly benefit Central Otago’s economy and sustainability. These trails also offer remarkable personal experiences for those fortunate enough to ride them. He is particularly excited about the future development of trails from Wānaka to Cromwell, through the Kawarau Gorge, linking Bannockburn and Gibbston Valley, and eventually extending from Roxburgh to Dunedin.
His deep connection to the area sees him split his time between Wānaka and Auckland, ensuring he always has mountain bikes ready to ride in both locations.
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Trustee
Tamah is thrilled to be part of Southern Lakes Trails, as she recognises the proven benefits that access to the outdoors brings to communities, families and individuals. Tamah enjoys being able to share the beautiful and unique landscapes of Central Otago and Queenstown Lakes with locals and visitors. ‘It’s truly special’, she says, ‘especially given the long-term, intergenerational nature of these projects.’
Tamah brings a wealth of experience to the trust, including big-picture cross-boundary collaboration, relationships and partnerships with local government and communities, and a tremendous amount of enthusiasm. Formerly a police officer and now an elected Councilor with the Central Otago District Council, she has studied and researched the links between mental health, well-being, and physical activity. Tamah is passionate about championing the cycleways in this context. She also chairs the Council Community Vision portfolio, which encompasses economic development, and sits on the Destination Advisory Board.
Tamah lives near Alexandra with her husband and children, who are also learning to navigate the exciting local trails … as well as the more sedate ones on the school run.
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Trustee
Craig has been part of the Southern Lakes biking community since moving to Queenstown in 2008, exploring the region’s diverse trails and, more recently, enjoying the wider network with his wife and two young children. These experiences have strengthened his appreciation for the value well-designed trails bring to both residents and visitors.
With 16 years of experience as a Civil Construction Engineer and Project Manager, Craig offers broad, hands‑on knowledge across the full project lifecycle. His background includes strategy, programme development, consultancy and design, design‑build delivery, contracting, maintenance, compliance with national and regional standards, and risk‑based decision making. This enables him to provide practical governance, informed oversight, and balanced cost‑versus‑risk judgement on complex projects.
Craig has long admired the steady expansion of the Southern Lakes trail network and is motivated to support its continued development. His values and passion for biking align closely with the mission of the Southern Lakes Trails Trust.
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Trustee
Sally is an experienced community leader with a strong background in local governance and project management, including service on the Central Otago District Council and three terms on the Community Board. She has led major initiatives such as chairing the $3m Roxburgh Swimming Pool rebuild and has a proven ability to deliver complex community projects.
Sally brings practical systems‑building skills, strategic insight, and a strong commitment to outdoor recreation and regional connectivity. Her focus on completing key trail links, supporting cycling growth, and strengthening local business aligns closely with the Southern Lakes Trails Trust’s mission and long‑term vision for the region.
We are also grateful to our previous trustees. Their vision, commitment and many hours of volunteer service laid a strong foundation for successful ongoing development of our trail networks. Partner contributions directly support maintenance programs, safety education and trail management — ensuring the region’s trail network continues to thrive for locals and visitors alike.
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Patron 2016-2021
Sir Eion Edgar, our original Patron and key supporter, played significant governance roles in numerous businesses and charitable organizations. Inducted into the New Zealand Business Hall of Fame in 2004, and named Senior New Zealander of the Year in 2010, Sir Eion's contributions
were immense.Sir Eion sadly passed away in 2021, however he ensured his legacy and vision for this project would endure. His eldest son, Jonty Edgar, has stepped in as co-patron, continuing the strong bond between the Edgar family and the trail network trust.
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Trustee 2016-2023
Stephen Jeffery held the role of Chair for over five years, coordinating and steering teams from the initial planning phase through to the establishment of the COQTNT Trust. The COQTNT went on to successfully build and open the Lake Dunstan Trail.
As a Central Otago District Councillor and Trustee on the Central Otago Clutha Trail Trust Ltd, Stephen was also instrumental in the development of the Roxburgh Gorge and Clutha Gold trails. His 14-year involvement with the trail networks has significantly enriched the whole region.
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Trustee 2016-2024
When the idea of a network of trails was conceived, David, a director of Mead Stark, Chartered Accountants in Cromwell, played a crucial role in the 2014 feasibility study for the Kawarau Gorge trail. He became one of the original trustees of the Central Otago Queenstown Trail Network Trust (COQTNT), where his professionalism and accounting expertise were instrumental in managing the trust’s finances for six years.
David’s contributions helped secure funding and complete feasibility studies, paving the way for the construction of new trail sections, including the Kawarau Gorge and Wānaka Link. David stepped down in 2024 to focus on his family and growing business responsibilities. We are grateful for his dedication and the strong financial foundation he established for the trust.
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Trustee 2019-2025
Trish joined as a Trustee during the early stages of the Lake Dunstan Cycle and Walking Trail construction. The trail's opening in May 2021 was a memorable day for her, as she witnessed enthusiastic cyclists on the opening day and has continued to see incredible numbers of participants enjoying the trail since.
Trish held a vital role in the trust providing sales, marketing and communication services being actively involved in the tourism industry. Her 6 + years with the trust was greatly appreciated.
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Though not formally Trustee, Anne Pullar was deeply involved in the early stages of the Cromwell Gorge Feasibility Study. The outcome of this feasibility study was the Lake Dunstan Trail, and the Steering Group that became the COQTNT, or Central Otago Queenstown Trail Network Trust.
Holding a senior role in Community Development at the Central Otago District Council, Anne's extensive knowledge was invaluable during the foundational stages of our projects.
Acknowledging our superstar funders
We would be not where we are, if it wasn’t for the magnificent and hugely appreciated contributions from our various funders. Every donation has helped bring more to our team and ultimately our trails.
“Perfect conditions, great weather, and outstanding scenery. The trail quality made the ride comfortable and enjoyable, even on the more challenging sections.”
“A brilliant trail with spectacular views and a great sense of adventure. Quiet, well signed, and accessible, with plenty of opportunities to stop and take photos. We’ll definitely be back.”
“One of the most beautiful places I’ve ridden. The scenery is jaw-dropping, and the trail allows you to fully enjoy it without feeling rushed. A peaceful and memorable day out.”
Approved Partners supporting our Trail network
Our trusted partners are scattered across our full network, and each can help you get the most of your trail. Click on any of the tiles below to be taken directly to their respective websites.
Donations welcome!
Want to donate to our wonderful trail network? Click the button below to make a donation of your choice - no matter how small it might be, every donation is greatly appreciated and goes a long way towards maintaining our incredible trails.
Thank you so much!