The Dragon Hunt Archery Experience
The Dragon Hunt Archery and Nature Experience
Watch the Dragon Hunt video
If you like to experience raw New Zealand and want some action with it – this is the tour for you!
Learn to shoot the longbow and get to explore a native New Zealand forest that has been left alone by humans since the begin of time – classified as one of the most diverse nature areas on the top of the South Island: Nelson’s cleanest stream, giant towering trees, some of the largest silver ferns in NZ and an active bird life await you.
Archery challenges will keep you entertained throughout the tour: Shoot realistic looking Dragons and other targets uphill, downhill over streams, between ferns and under trees. This is archery in a whole new format and unique in New Zealand!
Your guide has 18 years of archery experience, is a certified archery coach, holds a NZ silver medal and a national archery record. You will get initial in-depth archery coaching and help to master the challenges in the forest archery course.
Free photos and highlights of special nature features are included.
The Adventure in a Nutshell
Prepare for the Best Half-Day Archery Outdoor Adventure in NZ
Suitable for the first time archer as well as experienced archers!
- Build a new connection with yourself and nature through this unique archery adventure.
- Experience the beauty of shooting a longbow which requires only your focus and body to hit the target.
- Detox from your busy digital life, breathe deeply and rest assured that we will take free photos for you.
- Receive plenty of archery lessons from our certified and experienced coach that will make this a great adventure for first time and experienced archers.
- Explore the amazing scenery of our park, which is part of the last few remaining 5% of ancient virgin New Zealand native forests.
- You will learn how to shoot at lifelike fantasy and game archery targets that are hiding along a tramping trail throughout the bush – an archery experience like no other!
- Breath deeply as you walk under towering trees, cross crystal-clear streams and listen to an abundance of bird life.
- Everything is taken care of – all archery equipment, including real longbows, arrows and a leather quiver, are provided. We will pick you up at the reception or even give you a free ride from the Nelson i-Site.
- And there is more: Every Dragon Hunter automatically qualifies to return and shoot at Archery Park with a day ticket on their own (click for more info).
The Ultimate Vegan Hunting Experience
A great instructor, heaps of fun and walk through beautiful NZ native (That rivals many paid bush tours). For the time and effort you get, great value for money too.
Russel Adams
Testimonials
Our visitors, young and old, local and foreign, experienced and absolute beginners alike have raved about their experience at Archery Park.
But no need to take our word for it – see for yourself what they have said:
- EmJay57
This is a great experience. The initial archery training was detailed and interesting, Markus is a great coach. However the highlight was the hunt experience while walking in the Nelson... read more
08/12/2019dominiquew675 We had a great time! By chance we came across archery and booked it for the next day at very short notice. We were very early in the session, so... read more
30/11/2019edinaolive Really enjoyed the day. Started in the range and then moved on to the stunning track. Markus is a funny guy with great coaching. Bring good shoes and be prepared... read more
11/11/2019 - azNelson We had a great time "hunting dragons" in the bush with Markus! All the kids absolutely loved it! Fun and friendly atmosphere, professional coaching, beautiful track in the bush. Totally... read more
07/11/2019IMacNZ In a calm and completely relaxed manner Markus quickly got us comfortable with the correct technique and we started hitting our targets before moving out into the forest and hunting... read more
11/10/2019TessaP248 Sick day at the park! Must do when in Nelson! Great way to spend the day 😀 Marcus was very flexible and accommodating!
07/10/2019 - Hetty J Fun and in depth couple of ours with a friendly skilled teacher in a great environment. Thanks Markus!
22/08/2019NZ_Blair This was such a fun activity. Our host was brilliant, funny, entertaining and very safety focused. I liked how he adjusted the difficulty up with increasing the target... read more
16/08/2019Workdodgersteve I took my 14 yr old daughter and her friend on a brisk winters day and we all really enjoyed our time. Markus is a patient skilled teacher who... read more
14/07/2019
- EmJay57 This is a great experience. The initial archery training was detailed and interesting, Markus is a great coach. However the highlight was the hunt experience while walking in the Nelson... read more
08/12/2019 - dominiquew675 We had a great time! By chance we came across archery and booked it for the next day at very short notice. We were very early in the session, so... read more
30/11/2019 - edinaolive Really enjoyed the day. Started in the range and then moved on to the stunning track. Markus is a funny guy with great coaching. Bring good shoes and be prepared... read more
11/11/2019 - azNelson We had a great time "hunting dragons" in the bush with Markus! All the kids absolutely loved it! Fun and friendly atmosphere, professional coaching, beautiful track in the bush. Totally... read more
07/11/2019 - IMacNZ In a calm and completely relaxed manner Markus quickly got us comfortable with the correct technique and we started hitting our targets before moving out into the forest and hunting... read more
11/10/2019 - TessaP248 Sick day at the park! Must do when in Nelson! Great way to spend the day 😀 Marcus was very flexible and accommodating!
07/10/2019
Click icons for more raving reviews...
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Imagine...
Learning To Trust Your Instincts...
You might be thinking that instinctive archery takes years to master, but we show you the right posture, how to hold and draw the bow, and before you know it you will have started your journey into instinctive archery.
You will develop the ability to shoot your arrow into the exact spot you’re mentally focusing on. While this technique takes a lot of practise to master, we always see great results with our training method and you will feel the rush of adrenaline as you see your arrows hit their mark.
...and Shooting a Real Longbow
You will shoot feathered arrows with a real longbow and look and feel like a pro with your armguard and quiver. Just like your favourite fantasy figures from the movies…
We have gone to great lengths to find longbows suitable for beginners, as we want you to have the best experience. The arrows are custom made to be a perfect match for the bows. The Archery Park gear for guests is maintained to the same standard as our own personal archery gear.
...at Lifelike Game and Fantasy Targets
Special archery targets in various shapes and sizes await you thoughtfully placed throughout the park. Shoot at targets in the shape of a boar or rabbit and meet some marvelous fantasy creatures like Dragons.
...in Spectacular Native New Zealand Forest
Follow a short tramping track along Nelson’s cleanest stream that leads into over 120 hectares of pristine native forest. Your guide will point out highlights to you throughout your journey.
Miraculously missed by generations, you’ll experience a New Zealand forest that remains in a pre-human state and is part of the rare last 5% of New Zealand virgin forests. Walk under Totara and Maitai trees that are hundreds of years old and tower high above the forest and shoot between silver-ferns that are among some of the tallest around.
Our trapping program ensures that you will get close to New Zealand bird life, with Bellbirds, Robins, Tuis, Kereru and Fantails abundant. And if you’re lucky we will spot a pair of the extremely rare native NZ Falcon that calls this place home.
Relax in some of Nelson’s finest nature and leave civilization behind.
...and being Trained By An Experienced and Certified Archery Coach
Your trusty guide and archery coach is long time longbow archer Markus. He has been practising the sport for over 18 years and has now made his life-long dream a reality by opening Archery Park to share with you his passion and knowledge in this beautifully tranquil park.
Markus is a certified NZFAA community archery coach, has built his own bows and arrows and has trained hundreds of archers. He is actively involved in the professional field archery sport. He has won and organised several archery tournaments and recently won the silver medal in his division in the 2018 NZFAA Bowhunter Nationals. He also holds the current NZ record with the highest score shot at a 20 * 3D archery target tournament with a historic bow.
Markus is a member of the Traditional Archery Society, the New Zealand Field Archery Association (NZFAA) and the New Zealand Bowhunter Society (non-hunting, but enjoying their tournaments). He has also been an administrator for one of Europe’s largest traditional archery internet discussion boards.
...to Return and Practice any Time You Want with a Day Ticket in Future
All Dragon Hunters automatically qualify to shoot at the 3D archery range and target archery range at Archery Park on their own with a day ticket.
Bring your new learned skills to the next level with regular training sessions and meet more archers. Or just enjoy the option of coming back whenever you feel the urge to shoot some arrows.
Costs, Starting Times and Duration
Your adventure trip details
Costs
- Visitor Adult $125
- Visitor Under 16 years $100
- Nelson Tasman Adult $90
- Nelson Tasman Under 16 years $65
Great Value For Money
A great half day out, great value for money. Start out slow to get the technique right and then go for a walk through the native bush shooting targets. A great sense of achievement at the end of it…
Scott Carpenter
Our Promise:
If you don't have a great time at the Dragon Hunt, we will refund you 100% of your payment. No questions asked!
Starting Times
Tours run every day and twice a day during busy season. Just choose the day and start time that suits you best in our online booking system.
It is essential to book in advance as all tours are by arrangement only and are limited to a maximum of 6 people.
Please be on time as we will all depart together.
Please Note: Our minimum age is 10 years. All children under 16 years must be accompanied and supervised by a responsible adult at all times. The accompanying adult must participate in the activity.
Duration
This is a half day adventure. Please plan 3 to 4 hours for this and be prepared by reading through our recommended pack-list below.
Expect a great time . . . And then see your expectations exceeded!
What can I say? The activity was organised by my adult kids and I went along expecting to shooting arrows for an hour. Instead we got a 3+ hour adventure. We got a first-rate tutor, Markus, who gave clear, safe, practical instructions (and patient too) teaching us the basics. Then, it’s off into the forest hunting for dragons and creatures, Lord of the Rings style. The amazing thing was how deceptively Marcus improved our shooting skills with each target increasing in difficulty. I could not believe that we were hitting targets as accurately as we did. The scenery in the forest was beautiful and surprisingly cool for such a hot day. We had a blast . . And recommend it 100%. . . Worth every cent.
David Sutton
This Will Truly Be An Outdoor Archery Adventure That You Will Never Forget
Your adventure pack list
What to wear
All you need is a pair of sturdy shoes, weather appropriate clothes and a sense of adventure. Our unique forest archery adventure takes place along a 3 km track with uneven ground and may include stream crossings using only a rope handrail and boulder hopping. Jandals (flip-flops) are not appropriate footwear!
What to bring
Bring sunscreen and insect repellent, water and a snack – carry it in a small backpack so that you have your hands free for your bow.
Carry your emergency medication if you are allergic to wasp or bee stings or anything else you might encounter outdoors. And please advise us about this when you book.
Can you do it?
You need to be fit enough to walk an outdoor track of about 3km which has uneven, steep, muddy and narrow sections.
But we do not expect you to know anything about archery as we will give a full archery coaching session at the start of your adventure.
Important information
Minimum age
The Dragon Hunt Archery Adventure is suitable for kids from the age of 10 onward. They must be able to walk for ca. 3km and be able to spend 3 hours outside in the bush as we can’t return to base in the middle of the tour. Children must be accompanied by a guardian that must also participate in the archery experience.
If they are under the age of 10 but have experience in archery or are fit and very coordinated from other sports we may agree to their participation, but contact us before you make your booking so that we can assess the situation.
Bad weather cancellations
Heavy rain and strong winds severely affect arrow flight and can create risks on our tramping tracks. Should we have to cancel a session because of a bad weather, we will try our very best to advise you on the day before your booking at around 5 pm. A full refund will be issued.
Do it, it’s a lot of fun
Do it, it’s a lot of fun. Marcus is friendly and has a passion for archery and that shows during this lifelike experience. Not your typical range by no means. A+
Daniel Leckie
Getting to Archery Park Nelson
Archery Park is only a 15-minute drive from Nelson Central. We’re located at Cable Bay Adventure Park on 194 Cable Bay Road, Nelson.
Drive 14km north from Nelson City towards Picton. Turn left into Cable Bay Road at the sign posts Cable Bay. We are 2 km down Cable Bay Road on the right-hand side – look for the Archery Park Flag and the Cable Bay Adventure Park sign.
Free pickup: We offer a free pickup from Nelson i-Site visitor information centre for all Dragon Hunt Archery Adventure bookings.
