When the New Zealand government launched an initiative to build a network of bicycle and walking trails along the length of New Zealand in 2012, Steve Norton sensed an opportunity. This would be a chance to not just to share his love of cycling through the spectacular countryside around Queenstown, but also to leave behind his 9-5 corporate job and pursue his passion of working in the outdoors full-time.
Together with partner and co-owner Lisa Cooper, Steve founded Around The Basin, a business dedicated to taking cycling tours along the Queenstown Trail riding paths. From humble beginnings with just the two partners and a single van and trailer, the business now has multiple employees, a fleet of vehicles, and takes tens of thousands of clients on unforgettable tours every year.
“When we first established the business, both my partner Steve and I worked on every aspect of the business” says Lisa. “As the business has grown we have taken on a new business partner, Hamish Fleming, and been able to delegate more roles. The key to our success is that everyone is prepared to help out where needed so our customers receive the best experience possible and our team shares a sense of camaraderie in their work.”
It's easy to build a collaborative culture when your work takes you into one of New Zealand's most captivating regions. The breath-taking environment of the Queenstown Trail features diverse terrain that transverses lush forests, serene lakeshores, rolling farmland, suspension bridges and even historic gold mining sites.