23 Nov 2013

Cycle trail seen as tourism boost for Coast

4:57 pm on 23 November 2013

The Associate Minister of Tourism Chris Tremain says that he hopes a new cycle trail on the West Coast will provide a boost in tourism for the region.

Chris Tremain

Chris Tremain Photo: RNZ

Three-quarters of the $7.9 million West Coast Wilderness Trail was officially opened at a ceremony in Kumara on Saturday.

Mr Tremain says the track offers exciting opportunities for tourism on the West Coast.

The 136km-long trail runs south from Greymouth through Kumara and Hokitika, to Ross in the south.

Mr Tremain says the Government and Development West Coast will provide a further two-million dollars to support the completion of the final section of the trail from Hokitika to Ross and the West Coast Miners Memorial events centre in Greymouth.