Hauraki Rail Trail
The Hauraki Rail Trail is one of the Great Rides of the New Zealand Cycle Trail system, using an abandoned railway system in the Hauraki Gulf plains and the Coromandel Peninsula. It runs from Thames, New Zealand south via Paeroa to then branch either east towards Waihi (via the Karangahake Gorge) or south to Te Aroha.
In 2013 the trail was described as the most popular cycle trail in New Zealand, despite only having been open for less than a year.[1] From January 2013 to April 2013, monthly cycle counts on the busiest section (Karangahake Gorge) averaged over 7,000 cyclists a month. The trail was particularly popular with the "baby boomer" and family clientele from Auckland and the wider Waikato, with 24% of users coming from Auckland, 15% from Hamilton, and a large proportion of users being older riders - based on a University of Waikato survey.[2] Both local businesses and Council agree that the trail had a significant economic benefit for the region, and had already become a major promotional asset for tourism.[1]
Length and extensions
The trail was opened in 2012, with 95% of 69km completed at the end of 2012, and all of the original length open from early 2013 (New Zealand Cycle Trail's official website).
In September 2013, the connecting section from Waikino to Waihi will be opened.[3]
Scoping for a further section, from Kopu to Kaiaua along the Firth of Thames' coast was expected to start in mid-2013, and could add another 50km to the track distance.[1]
Awards
The new wooden bridges on the rail trail received the "Sustainability Award" in the Timber Design Awards in 2012.[4]
References
External links
- Hauraki Rail Trail on the New Zealand Cycle Trail website
- Hauraki Rail Trail on the temporary website of the administering trust
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