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Backyard Bliss: Crossfire hits the target

The Wānaka App

Sue Wards

15 September 2020, 8:10 PM

Backyard Bliss: Crossfire hits the targetJamie Norman offers some pointers on the rifle range.

A local business has clocked up more than 20 years providing value-for-money entertainment for both locals and visitors.


Crossfire Wanaka offers a unique combination of targets to hit and ways to hit them, including clay bird and target shooting, archery, mini golf, and a driving range.


“It’s a family run business on a local family-run farm - I don’t think there’s anything like this anywhere else in New Zealand,” long term employee Jamie Norman said.


Jamie has worked at Crossfire for 18 years, and says the business has grown over the years.


“It’s a place where people of all ages can come, from five-year-olds to grandparents.”


Crossfire attracts lots of family groups.


“I find once locals find out about the place they’re surprised at all the activities available,” he said, adding he sees familiar faces year after year.


Jamie has heard Crossfire described as “a great ‘down day’ activity”.


“It’s a great place to come for a family activity and birthday parties, but it’s also great for stag parties, hen parties, work dos, and Christmas parties,” he said. “It offers a whole afternoon of activities at a low cost.”


Locals are often surprised at the range of activities, Jamie says.


Jamie said Crossfire has been well supported by the local and wider local community since COVID-19 hit.


“Our expectations were really low, and we’ve been really happy. The response is definitely respectable,” he said.


“We’ve totally underestimated the amount of money Aucklanders spend in Australia on short stays, and they’ve moved down here and spent their money.”


However, since Auckland went into alert level three, there has been a slow down in North Island visitors. 


Since the alert level was lifted to two last Sunday (August 30), more North Islanders have been “drifting in”, but not groups such as you would see in the school holidays, Jamie said.


Crossfire offered special ‘two for one’ deals in May, and will look at offering something similar in October.


“That’s our biggest concern - the shoulder season,” Jamie said.


“But we’re fortunate - we fit in a range of activities and we’re a good, middle of the road NZ activity. And we offer activities that can be done whatever the weather.”


“People can spend $13 and get value for money,” he said.


Crossfire Wanaka, at 9 Mount Barker Road (the corner of SH6 opposite Wanaka Airport), is open seven days, from 10am to 5pm.


PHOTOS: Supplied