A high-profile Waikato adventure tourism business, within easy reach of Auckland and Hamilton and attracting enthusiasts from around the world, is for sale.
Thundercross Valley Dirt Bike Park is situated on a prime Glen Murray farm, 92 kilometres south of the Auckland CBD and 69 kilometres north of Hamilton. Both the 300-hectare farm and the Thundercross business are available for sale, either together or separately, presented to the market by Richard Thomson and Ben Warren of PGG Wrightson Real Estate, Hamilton.
Richard Thomson says the highly regarded tourism business comprises a variety of trails to suit all levels, plus a fleet of hire bikes catering for enthusiasts, casual users and corporates, as well as tuition from an experienced team of coaches.
“This is a unique and well proven offering, built around the adventure of riding cross-country dirt bikes. Its spectacular location and carefully designed 38 kilometres of trails give Thundercross visitors a fun day out unlike anything else in New Zealand. This long-established going concern is poised for a new owner to leverage several opportunities to further develop the Park and take the business to the next level.
“Around 50 percent of New Zealand’s population lives within a two-hour drive of Thundercross. Currently drawing in more than 3000 visitors per annum, the property’s attractive basin setting and mature bush, with a picturesque waterfall, are boosted by an existing set of consents that would be near impossible to replicate today. In addition, exceptional administration systems make this an easy business to walk into. While Thundercross has historically centred on dirt biking, its well-recognised and easily accessible location, ample parking, and protocols provide scope to develop multiple complementary recreational and team-building activities including accommodation, paintball, ziplining and others,” he says.
With approximately 237 hectares effective, the farm has historically run mixed sheep and beef. With the current owners’ focus on developing Thundercross, it is currently leased out for dairy grazing and finishing, as well as maize and silage production.
Richard Thomson says the farm has a rich history.
“Comprising 32 well-maintained paddocks ranging from one to 30 hectares, on predominantly rolling contour, the farm’s well-constructed and sited yards allow for effective stock handling. Stock water is pumped from natural sources.
“An on-site quarry, consented since 2000, was previously commercialised and presents potential additional income supporting on-farm or local projects with high-quality materials,” he says.
Initially intending simply to give their teenage children somewhere to practice their dirt bike passion, owner James Fowlie and family started development of Thundercross in 1999. As local interest grew a more expansive vision emerged, and Thundercross gained resource consent to open to the public in 2000. Initially local riders turned up and left a koha in the gummie on the deck. Now Thundercross comprises a web of formed tracks around the farm, scaled to suit all abilities from learners to expert riders, employing two full-time working owners, one full-time staff member, plus a roster of casuals.
Richard Thomson says an incoming buyer’s most obvious opportunity resides in realising the potential of the farm’s old wool shed.
“As the farm has not run sheep for many years, the building was upgraded to its current use as the dirt bike park’s sign-in centre. This includes a media room for induction purposes, a welcoming and comfortable space for staff and visitors to hang out, food servery area, large deck with spectacular views and an office overlooking the Park entrance. While retaining the building’s rustic vibe, and utilising the existing land use consent, the current owners have made progress towards consent for a public café. This site has ample parking for vehicles and trailers, alongside designated spaces for loading zone, café, disabled, and staff parking. Ride-up access from the tracks direct to the building is also planned. Taken to its conclusion, this development would provide riders with a dedicated, external serving-hatch, outside seating and shelter, making it possibly the world’s first ride-up dirt biking café,” he says.
Set against the bush, waterfall and stream, the property’s well-situated four-bedroom homestead features established gardens, a bountiful orchard and stunning views to the northwest over much of the farm.
Thundercross has been the location for many TV advertisements and productions, most recently The Bachelorette NZ and The Circus.
The land and business are for sale together or separately as going concerns with a listing price of $4 million plus for the farm, and by negotiation for the business and operating assets.
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