MEET DARREN + SARAH
Our family ranch
And when we say family, that means you, too.
We’ve spent 7 years building our idyllic ranch, home to 5000 acres of rolling hill country, 2500 breeding ewes, 250 beef cows, beautiful native forest…and of course our famous red stags.
Welcoming guests to Avon Valley Safaris is our job, sure, but it’s more than that for us. It’s become our passion - the intrepid adventures with guests, unforgettable hunts, and friendships with people from all over the world.
So what are you waiting for? Book your flights, pack your rifle, and let’s go hunting.
Darren, Sarah, Emma + Milo (the family dog)
DON'T JUST LISTEN TO US
"Everyone’s kind, patient and so welcoming. True Kiwi hospitality. You far exceeded our expectations."
"His knowledge and experience is unquestionable, patience and encouragement he uses to give the most opportunity for success, but this is only part of it his New Zealand history and his stories of past hunts make for such great company. His dry sense of humour relaxes the moments. Big thank you to Snow, our friend and guide and all the Team at Avon Valley!"
- Randy and Debbie Bailey – Nebraska USA
Meet the team.
They’re skilled, they’re talented, and we might be biased, but they make great company too.
Darren
Ranch Owner
My passion’s always been the great outdoors - hunting, fishing, tramping and spending time outdoors with family. After travelling the world and building a successful global food business, I was keen to get back to my Malborough roots: enter Avon Valley Safaris.
My job? Oversight of our ranch, welcoming guests, and making sure our pesky goat population stays under control.
Tom
Head Guide/Outfitter
Raised on a high-country ranch in Marlborough, Tom grew up with hunting and the outdoors in his blood.
What came next? Mastering the skills to identify, stalk, and land the ultimate trophy including our famous red stags. With an impressive wall of his own trophies, there’s no-one better to help guide you to your dream trophy.
Fraser
Guide/Outfitter
Guiding’s been a part of Fraser’s life since studying to become a full-time outfitter at Lincoln University in Otago, NZ. He gets to call his passion for hunting his job (lucky thing), and he’s the guy who’ll test out the latest equipment and technology for you to use on your hunt.
Carrie
Business + Client Support
Carrie’s a busy mum, a keen runner, an adventure racer and shares our love for all things outdoors.
She’s also the one we couldn’t live without, furiously working behind the scenes to make Avon Valley Safaris run smoothly. She manages all things admin, and is a key person in our customer experience team. She's got the skinny on the best places for shopping trips with wives, or extravagant excursions to Auckland and Queenstown with our client experiences.
Nadine
Client Experience Manager
Born and bred in Marlborough, her dad introduced her to hunting when she was 10 years old, and she’s been hooked ever since. Now she’s got kids of her own? They come hunting and fishing with her, too.
Nadine’s the talent behind our high-end travel experiences, organising, liaising and making sure you have a seamless adventure.
Mark
Executive Chef
Have we saved the best ‘til last? You decide. Mark’s the one who keeps us well fed, so he’s a firm favourite with guests (we’re not jealous, promise).
He’s always had a passion for hunting, fishing and foraging, and he’s a master at using seasonal food, foraging for delicacies, and using every part of the animal for a dish. He’ll delight and surprise you with the 5 star food he cooks in the bush, on the beach, or if you’re feeling conventional, at the lodge.
About our ranch
100% New Zealand owned and operated, Avon Valley Safaris is run in conjunction with our working sheep and beef properties. We have 2500 breeding ewes, 250 beef cows in addition to the game animals just waiting to evade your shot.
The Teme river runs alongside our beautiful lodge, and nestled amongst the valleys and Manuka forest, you’ll find beehives operating to make our famous NZ honey.
