Construction of the Te Anau's Patience Bay - Boundary Creek trail section can now begin, after a Department of Conservation wildlife permit was issued on 11 July to trail creators, the Fiordland Trails Trust (FTT).

The permit which includes a special lizard management plan, was required because the new section will traverse the habitat of Southland's threatened and nationally critical Green Skink.

FTT Chair David Boniface said the Trust took its responsibilities seriously when it came to native flora and fauna which was evidenced by the ongoing planting, and predator and weed control programme alongside parts of existing trail network,

Southland's nationally threatened Green Skink. Photo: Department of Conservation

“We take the protection of endangered species very seriously and, as per our Wildlife Permit, will be taking important steps to ensure we continue this as we develop this next part of the trail.” 

Part of those steps would include a modified vegetation clearance method, including reducing the width of the trails formation width from an original 3m to no more than 2.2m.

However Boniface said that despite the delays, the Trust was thrilled to finally be able to progress the new trail which would allow construction of a further 13km of multiuse trail.

Work would initially start on the first 2km, from Patience Bay to Sinclair Road, and is expected to be completed by Christmas 2024, he said.

After that the Trust would work through fundraising and other logistics to eventually complete 11 further kilometres and take the trail all the way to Boundary Creek, he said.

The Trust's Upukerora Trail Bridge to Patience Bay trail extension is due to be officially opened on August 4th.

Part of the Fiordland Trails Trust's new Upukerora Trail Bridge to Patience Bay trail extension. Photo: Fiordland Trails Trust

Boniface said this section had already seen wonderful usage and positive comments.

"So we know the next 13km of trail will be a really positive addition,” he said.  

“Once fully complete, this next piece of trail will make for a brilliant bike ride, walk, or run, from Boundary Creek to Te Anau, then connecting with the Lake2Lake Trail and heading all the way to Manapouri.”

“We’ve seen, from the Impact Assessment we undertook in 2023, that the Lake2Lake Trail has a direct economic contribution to the Fiordland area exceeding $3million, so the more we can do to enhance the trail experience the better.”  

Grand Opening - Upukerora - Patience Bay section: 2pm, Sunday 4th August (meet from just past Te Anau Boat Harbour)

CLICK HERE to learn more about the Fiordland Trails Trust

The end of the trail. Fiordland Trail Trust's northern trail currently ends at Patience Bay. Photo: Fiordland Trails Trust

Map of trail construction so far, as well as the approved extension to Sinclair Road and Boundary Creek. Graphic: Fiordland Trails Trust