Fun, adventure, family and teamwork are the drivers behind Queenstown’s newest activity centre Oxbow Adventure Co, recently opened at the Nevis Bluff in Gibbston.

The company offers specialised adventures with a range of activities including jet sprint boats, off-roading and clay bird shooting from their purpose-built facility. Thepersonalised trips cater to individuals, families, groups, team building and conference and incentive groups.

“Oxbow is unique both in the national and international market,” says general manager David (Darb) Richmond.“Our company is a passionate provider of one hundred percent super charged, Kiwi fun and we like to send people home with huge grins and a head full of fantastic memories.”

The business has operated since 2012 when it was initially founded in Wanaka by Lloyd and Julz Ferguson whose keen sense of adventure was the impetus.

“Lloyd and Julz had worked hard in the farming game all their lives and Wanaka attracted them because of its adventurous spirit when they moved their family of four there in 1999,” says Darb.

Darb’s background in adventure tourism and as a commercial jet boat driver led him to develop the Oxbow concept with the Fergusons when he married their eldest daughter Hails. Family friends Tim and Jen Bayliss have since joined the company.

“The original idea for Oxbow was to create a day of unique experiences that you couldn’t find anywhere else and that is still our guiding principle today. Whether you’re planning a boy’s or girl’s weekend away or just craving some adventure that’s what Oxbow is all about.”

The new Oxbow facility is located on long-term lease land at the Nevis Bluff between AJ Hackett’s Nevis Bungy venture and the Kawarau Bungy Bridge. The project has been in the planning since 2017.

“It’s great to be closer to the Queenstown airport and positioned on the main highway connecting Queenstown, Cromwell and Wanaka which means traffic and visitor flows are naturally higher,” says Darbs. “The Gibbston Valley is developing with wineries, breweries, accommodation, bike and walking tracks and is the perfect backdrop for Oxbow. We are already working closely with Cargo Brewery, Kinross, Gibbston Valley Lodge and The Stoaker Room to assist in catering for our group bookings.”

He says the entire Oxbow team is motivated by adventure and fun.

“We want people to have a truly outstanding experience and fortunately, at this stage, we are unrivalled in the market. People love having experiences that you can’t get anywhere else in the world and as a result tell their mates about us. It’s highly addictive.”

All about Oxbow

• Jet Sprint Boat – The Oxbow custom built four-seater jet sprint boats are the only commercial jet sprint boat in the world and can go from 0 – 100 in 2.5 seconds all the while pulling 3-4 g-forces around the purpose built Oxbow racetrack.
• Ultimate Off-Roader – The Oxbow custom-built 4WD, 4-wheel-steer off-roaders are one of a kind, all-terrain vehicles that can go anywhere. The off-roader track is made up of steep gullies, rock climbing and cliff drops designed for drifting around a purpose built course. The off-roaders carry the driver and three passengers on a 15-minute ride and have an extremely low centre of gravity enabling them to go almost anywhere.
• Clay Bird Shooting – enjoy a spot of healthy competition for 45 minutes with one-on-one guidance from an experienced instructor.