Adventure venue serves corporates, schools

Adventure Waikato offers an adrenalin-packed treks, including through caves. Photo / Supplied

An outdoor adventure centre containing a significant New Zealand commercially-accessed underground caving network is for sale.

Adventure Waikato, at Matira — 90 minutes' drive south of Auckland and about 60 minutes north of Hamilton — is a rustic outdoor pursuits venue where on-site activities include caving, abseiling, a 220m zip line, waterfall climb, clay bird shooting, rifle shooting and archery.

The business is located on a 37.7ha block of rolling pasture, streams and native bush in what was originally part of the vendors' larger sheep and beef farming operation.

The Adventure Waikato business, at 695 Waikorea Valley Rd, Matira, was established in 1995, and has grown considerably since then.

Adventure Waikato provides accommodation and amenities on site, including:

• "The Cottage" A self-contained, 80sq m timber accommodation block with a total of 10 beds plus shower and toilet block.
• Adjacent is the 180sq m converted woolshed with two bunk rooms sustaining 16 beds and a communal gathering room with tables, chairs and tea/coffee corner suitable for hosting conference or classroom-style presentations.
• A wheelchair-accessible ablution block with toilets and showers.
• An outdoor fire place and fire pit.

Target marketing for bookings at Adventure Waikato is split between the corporate sector and schools providing excellent team and personal challenges for corporate development and student educational programs.

The business at 695 Waikorea Valley Rd, Matira, was established in 1995. Photo / Supplied

While staying, schools can occupy the cottage and woolshed bunk rooms forming the base for both teachers and pupils. The business in its current format, can accommodate up to 26 guests per night, with plenty of opportunity for camping experiences. Self-catering facilities for cooking are setup for guests staying at Adventure Waikato.

The land, buildings and outdoor adventure business are being marketed for sale by tender through Bayleys Waikato, with tenders closing at 4pm on July 5.

Salespeople Scott Macdonald and Peter Kelly say chattels include in the sale, all equipment, harnesses, helmets, torches, karabiners and ropes required to run the climbing, zip line and caving activities.

The business now accommodates 26 guests, with additional camping facilities. Photo / Supplied

"The options for any new owner range from operating the Waikato Adventure business in its current format to building on the current infrastructure, foundations and activities to accommodate current tourism trends," Macdonald says.

"The opportunity for future expansion at Adventure Waikato could be increasing the bed capacity — either by expanding the bunk rooms within the woolshed complex or by adding to the existing infrastructure.

"Additional dormitory-configured sleeping arrangements, or going somewhat more upmarket for the corporate sector with individual chalet units, could add a whole new dimension to the current established business. Sustaining that potential growth, there is the opportunity to install a commercial kitchen for larger corporate events."

The rustic outdoor pursuits venue is about 90 minutes south of Auckland. Photo / Supplied

One of Adventure Waikato's cornerstone activities is branded 'Jurassic Journey', and offers an adrenalin-packed trek through naturally-formed rock formations, streams, native flora and extensive cave networks with ropes challenges added in as an optional extra.

"Lying beneath this stunning landscape is up to 1.5 kilometres of surveyed limestone caves in two systems – the Ruru Cave and the glow-worm cave. There's extensive stalactite/stalagmite formations and massive glow-worm populations," Macdonald says.

The Adventure Waikato business is OutdoorsMark Safety certified and employs local people as part time staff when needed. All activity guides and instructors have appropriate training and or qualifications for their particular job description.