Explore Group
| Error creating thumbnail: File missing | |
| Company type | Private |
|---|---|
| Industry | Ferry & tourism company |
| Founded | 2001 in Auckland |
| Headquarters | , |
Area served | |
Key people |
|
| Parent | Moturua Properties Limited |
| Divisions |
|
| Website | exploregroup |
Explore Group Limited is a ferry and tourism company located in New Zealand and Australia. The company operates in the Bay of Islands, Whitsunday Islands, Hauraki Gulf and Waitematā Harbour.[1] Explore operates sailing experiences on former Americas Cup Yachts, excursions and public transport ferry services for Auckland Transport.[2]
History
[edit | edit source]In 2014 Explore began an Auckland to Waiheke Island service.[3] However, in 2016, plagued by infrastructure and passenger number issues, the company was forced to end the service, leaving Fullers Group the sole passenger ferry company operating services to the island.[4]
Explore began expanding in July 2021 by buying Fullers GreatSights Bay of Islands.[5]
Following the announcement from Fullers Group that on 1 October 2023, ferry services to Birkenhead, Te Onewa/Northcote Pt and Bayswater would be suspended,[6] Explore Group announced on 15 September 2023 that Auckland Transport had contracted them to take over operations of Fuller's cancelled routes[7] - marking Explore's reentry into the public transport industry.
Auckland Vessels
[edit | edit source]| Name | Image | Shipyard | Launched | Capacity | Length | Class/type | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tuhi Rapa | 
|
Australia Aluminium Marine, Brisbane[8] | 2022[9] 4 year ago |
300[10] 30 bikes |
29m[10] | IC22043[11] | |
| Island Explorer | File:Island Explorer.jpg | Australia Aluminium Marine, Brisbane[12] | 2018[13] 8 years ago |
170[14] 40 bikes |
21m[12] | IC17050[14] | Relocated from the Whitsunday Islands[15] |
| Discovery IV (D4) | File:D4 (Ferry).jpg | New Zealand Q-West, Whanganui[16] | 1998[16] 28 years ago |
80[16] | 17.1m[16] | Relocated from the Bay of Islands[15] | |
| Ngārapa | File:Ngārapa.jpg | New Zealand Wooden Boat Workshop, Parnell[citation needed] | 1996[17] 30 years ago |
55[18] | 15[18] | Relocated from the Bay of Islands.[18] Previously called Discovery III.[note 1] |
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See also
[edit | edit source]References
[edit | edit source]Notes
- ^ For a period of time, there were two ferries called Discovery III (D3), one owned by Explore and one owned by Fullers. Explore's vessel has since been renamed to Ngārapa.
Citations
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External links
[edit | edit source]
- Explore Group New Zealand (official New Zealand website)
- Explore Group Australia (official Australian website)