12 | A ‘gentler’ Gibbston experience The Gibbston Valley site, near wineries and other adventure operators, offered all four. Its 190-metre pond has five islands around which the boats race, while the hillside track puts passengers through steep gullies, rock climbs, and tight turns. T T from page 10 Oxbow Adventure Co. REGIONAL DEVELOPMENT Wine, dine & stay a little longer Located in the heart of Gibbston, Kinross offers wine tasting experiences from five exceptional wineries at one Cellar Door, seasonal dining in the bistro and wine garden, and boutique cottage stays, all amongst the vines of a working vineyard. W I N E • D I N E • S T A Y • D I S C O V E R That performance comes with a strong focus on risk management. Oxbow operates in a high-risk sector, but its activities are subject to regulation and annual audits, with trained drivers, instructors and mechanics, regular equipment inspections, protective gear and safety briefings for guests. “This is a high-risk industry, but we have got awesome systems in place,” Darb says. “That’s the cool thing about New Zealand tourism, it is very well regulated and we have annual audits to make sure our systems are working and our activities are safe.” As well as “Safe As”, Oxbow’s values also include “Epic. Every Day”, “Best Mates” and “One Step Ahead”. Darb says customer reviews frequently praise the staff as much as the activities, and the team aims to make visitors feel welcome rather than simply ushering them through a ride. The cycle trail creates a new reason to keep innovating. Darb says projections suggest about 120,000 people a year could use the trail, with 800 to 900 riders a day during peak summer and Christmas periods. The route will pass Oxbow’s front door before heading into the gorge, making the business the last stop before riders enter a more remote stretch. To cater for that audience, Oxbow has introduced a custom-built 12-seat tour vehicle that climbs behind the site to a viewpoint over the vineyards and Gibbston Valley. The trip is designed as a lower-key option, with time to enjoy the scenery, spot wildlife, and even indulge in a local tipple. Oxbow has also added a .22 shooting range, building on the popularity of its clay target shooting. Darb says the activity was fully booked during China’s Golden Week holiday in October, and the new range offers another smaller-scale experience. “We want to live our values, be one step ahead, and keep doing cool stuff,” he says. As the cycle trail brings another flow of visitors through Gibbston, Oxbow is aiming to make the most of its location without losing what set it apart: distinctive machinery, personal experiences, and a safety framework designed to keep the adventure under control. PROUD TO HELP OXBOW’S c+Y.==ɣ] ; Y] & c cJ &Y.V] s.c+ J%%ɣYJ %gDȾ MAXXISTYRES.CO.NZ
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