Explore Group
TypePrivate
IndustryFerry & tourism company
Founded2001 (2001) in Auckland
Headquarters
Auckland
,
New Zealand
Area served
Key people
  • William Goodfellow
ParentMoturua Properties Limited
Divisions
Websiteexploregroup.co.nz

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

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

Name Image Shipyard Launched Capacity Length Class/type Notes
Tuhi Rapa Australia Aluminium Marine, Brisbane[8] 2022[9]
2 year ago		 300[10]
30 bikes		 29m[10] IC22043[11] Used on tourist routes such as Tiritiri Matangi and Motutapu[12]
Island Explorer Australia Aluminium Marine, Brisbane[13] 2018[14]
6 years ago		 170[15]
40 bikes		 21m[13] IC17050[15] Relocated from the Whitsunday Islands[16]
Discovery IV (D4) New Zealand Q-West, Whanganui[17] 1998[17]
26 years ago		 80[17] 17.1m[17] Relocated from the Bay of Islands[16]

See also

References

  1. ↑ "Unique Experience in Amazing Places". www.exploregroup.co.nz. Retrieved 27 October 2023.
  2. ↑ Transport, Auckland. "Ferry good news: Auckland Transport announces Explore Group will operate Bayswater, and Birkenhead / Te Onewa Northcote Point ferry routes". Auckland Transport. Retrieved 27 October 2023.
  3. ↑ "All aboard Auckland's new ferry service". Scoop News. 2 October 2014. Retrieved 27 October 2023.
  4. ↑ "Waiheke Island Explore ferry services axed". Stuff. 26 April 2016. Retrieved 27 October 2023.
  5. ↑ "Explore Group purchases Fullers GreatSights Bay of Islands". Tourism Export Council of New Zealand. Retrieved 27 October 2023.
  6. ↑ "Auckland ferry services suspended for at least a year". NZ Herald. 28 October 2023. Retrieved 27 October 2023.
  7. ↑ "Ferry good news: Auckland Transport announces Explore Group will operate Bayswater, and Birkenhead / Te Onewa Northcote Point ferry routes". Auckland Transport. Retrieved 27 October 2023.
  8. ↑ "Tuhi Rapa.jpg". commons.wikimedia.org. Retrieved 25 April 2023.
  9. ↑ "Facebook: Explore - Auckland". Retrieved 25 April 2023.
  10. 1 2 "Tuhi-rapa: New tourist catamaran arrives in Auckland with precious cargo". nzherald.co.nz. Retrieved 25 April 2023.
  11. ↑ "29m Catamaran Passenger Ferry". incatcrowther.com. Retrieved 15 September 2023.
  12. ↑ "Tiritiri Matangi Island Ferry Service". exploregroup.co.nz. Retrieved 25 April 2023.
  13. 1 2 "ISLAND EXPLORER 21 Metre Ferry". aluminiummarine.com.au. Retrieved 15 September 2023.
  14. ↑ "Get up and go! Our newest vessel Island Explorer". Instagram. Retrieved 15 September 2023.
  15. 1 2 "21m Catamaran Passenger Ferry". incatcrowther.com. Retrieved 15 September 2023.
  16. 1 2 Williams, Caroline (15 September 2023). "Cancelled Auckland ferry services saved, new operator on board". Stuff. Retrieved 15 September 2023.
  17. 1 2 3 4 "Discovery IV / 18m Passenger Catamaran" (PDF). q-west.com. Retrieved 15 September 2023.
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