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More than a century has passed since plans were conceived to construct a tunnel to divert the Shotover River for gold mining. Now, sixty years after the completed tunnel was abandoned as unfit for purpose, the historic tunnel at Big Beach, will finally be used, thanks to a generous donation of $735,000 from the Hugo Charitable Trust.
After lying in ruin and disrepair, the tunnel is being repurposed as part of the new Shotover Gorge Cycle Trail. The donation from Hugo covers the restoration work for the tunnel, and in recognition of this generous contribution, the restored tunnel will be named the Hugo Tunnel.
The Hugo Tunnel is located downstream of Big Beach in the Arthurs Point area of Queenstown, and forms a part of the new Shotover Gorge Trail that links Arthurs Point to Frankton via Tucker Beach. Part of the recent Queenstown Trails expansion project linking Arrowtown, Arthurs Point and Frankton, the Shotover Gorge Trail and Hugo Tunnel form a vital ‘missing link’ to the Queenstown Trail network. The new trails connect communities within the Wakatipu Basin, providing recreational as well as active transport opportunities for both locals and the rapidly expanding cycle tourism market.
Queenstown Trails is the charitable organisation responsible for the development of the Queenstown Trail network. Founded in 2002, this small organisation of passionate individuals has facilitated the development of more than 200km of trails, catering to more than 300k trail users every year. With a mix of gravel, flow, single track and back country trails, there is something for everyone. Queenstown Trails proudly provides links between the popular QMTBC network, commuter/active travel, and the Nga Haerenga New Zealand Cycle Trail Great Ride.
The Hugo Tunnel has special significance to the Hugo Charitable Trust because of Hugh Green’s history in the civil construction industry: After emigrating to New Zealand from Ireland, Hugh Green and Barney McCahill formed Green & McCahill Ltd, which grew to become one of the best known civil construction companies in the country. Green & McCahill Ltd completed some of New Zealand’s most significant civil construction projects including a long list of major tunnels.
The 108m long historic mining tunnel is located near the mouth of the lower Shotover Gorge. The construction of the tunnel was planned during the goldrush of the late 1800s to divert the river and allow the river bed to be mined for gold, but it was not until 1962 when the Kawarau Diversion Syndicate finally constructed the tunnel with the intention to dam the Shotover River and generate the hydro-electric energy to power a dredge at Big Beach.
The tunnel was constructed using drill and blast techniques, the evidence of which are still visible in the tunnel walls today. The project was abandoned as the tunnel was considered too small, and located at a level that was too high to accommodate the river.
Tunnel restoration works include stabilisation of the tunnel portals, removal of rock-fall material, installation of rock bolts, structural anchors and mesh and construction of the new trail surface. Archaeologists were involved to identify and catalogue historic artifacts throughout the works.
CEO Mark ‘Willy” Williams says that Queenstown Trails is stoked to have the support of Hugo in funding of the tunnel restoration. “The Hugo Tunnel is set to become a must-visit location on the trail, it will be a unique experience to ride or walk through the tunnel, and gold mining history is an integral part of how our region has developed.” Williams added that Hugh Green’s involvement in civil engineering created excellent synergy for the partnership “Being able to restore and repurpose this unique part of our heritage has been made possible thanks to the vision and the generosity of the Hugo Trust.”
The Hugo Tunnel is now open to the public and you can find more details about it on the Queenstown Trails Trust website: www.queenstowntrails.org.nz.
Posted in: Featured Donations 2024-2025
