Southern Lakes Trails is redefining outdoor tourism in Central Otago, creating an internationally recognised network of cycling and walking experiences that connect communities, landscapes and visitors. As a long-term creative partner, Fluid has been proud to help shape the identity of this vision from the ground up.
Our partnership began with the development of the Southern Lakes Trails brand identity, establishing a distinctive visual foundation for the growing trail network. We then designed the Southern Lakes Trails website to showcase the network, its trails and visitor experiences, along with a suite of partnership assets to support stakeholder engagement and future growth. This work laid the foundation for the Kawarau Gorge Trail brand identity, creating a seamless connection to the wider Southern Lakes Trails network while giving the trail its own distinctive character.
For the Kawarau Gorge Trail, Fluid was engaged to design the complete signage and wayfinding system, developing a comprehensive suite of directional, interpretive and informational signage that helps visitors navigate the journey while complementing the extraordinary landscape. The system includes orientation maps, directional signs, destination markers, interpretive panels and emergency markers, all designed with a clear visual hierarchy and a consistent approach to typography, colour and layout. Together, these elements create a seamless visitor experience while establishing a recognisable identity across the trail.
The result is a scalable signage and brand system that not only serves the Kawarau Gorge Trail but also provides a strong foundation for future extensions across the Southern Lakes Trails network. More than just helping people find their way, the project demonstrates how thoughtful design can quietly enhance an outdoor experience, giving visitors the confidence to explore while allowing the landscape and the stories it holds to take centre stage.
We're incredibly excited to see the Kawarau Gorge Trail officially open on 19 September and are honoured to have played a role in bringing this vision to life. We look forward to continuing our partnership with Southern Lakes Trails as the network grows and becomes one of New Zealand's premier cycling and walking destinations.
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