Explore Group
 | |
| 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]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]| Name | Image | Shipyard | Launched | Capacity | Length | Class/type | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tuhi Rapa | 
|
 Aluminium Marine, Brisbane[8]
|
2022[9] 2 year ago |
300[10] 30 bikes |
29m[10] | IC22043[11] | |
| Island Explorer | 
|
Aluminium Marine, Brisbane[12]
|
2018[13] 6 years ago |
170[14] 40 bikes |
21m[12] | IC17050[14] | Relocated from the Whitsunday Islands[15] |
| Discovery IV (D4) | .jpg)
|
 Q-West, Whanganui[16]
|
1998[16] 26 years ago |
80[16] | 17.1m[16] | Relocated from the Bay of Islands[15] | |
| Ngārapa | 
|
Wooden Boat Workshop, Parnell[citation needed]
|
1996[17] 28 years ago |
55[18] | 15[18] | Relocated from the Bay of Islands.[18] Previously called Discovery III.[note 1] |
See also
[edit]References
[edit]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
- ^ "Unique Experience in Amazing Places". www.exploregroup.co.nz. Retrieved 27 October 2023.
- ^ 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.
- ^ "All aboard Auckland's new ferry service". Scoop News. 2 October 2014. Retrieved 27 October 2023.
- ^ "Waiheke Island Explore ferry services axed". Stuff. 26 April 2016. Retrieved 27 October 2023.
- ^ "Explore Group purchases Fullers GreatSights Bay of Islands". Tourism Export Council of New Zealand. Retrieved 27 October 2023.
- ^ "Auckland ferry services suspended for at least a year". NZ Herald. 28 October 2023. Retrieved 27 October 2023.
- ^ "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.
- ^ "Tuhi Rapa.jpg". commons.wikimedia.org. Retrieved 25 April 2023.
- ^ "Facebook: Explore - Auckland". Retrieved 25 April 2023.
- ^ a b "Tuhi-rapa: New tourist catamaran arrives in Auckland with precious cargo". nzherald.co.nz. Retrieved 25 April 2023.
- ^ "29m Catamaran Passenger Ferry". incatcrowther.com. Retrieved 15 September 2023.
- ^ a b "ISLAND EXPLORER 21 Metre Ferry". aluminiummarine.com.au. Retrieved 15 September 2023.
- ^ "Get up and go! Our newest vessel Island Explorer". Instagram. Retrieved 15 September 2023.
- ^ a b "21m Catamaran Passenger Ferry". incatcrowther.com. Retrieved 15 September 2023.
- ^ a b Williams, Caroline (15 September 2023). "Cancelled Auckland ferry services saved, new operator on board". Stuff. Retrieved 15 September 2023.
- ^ a b c d "Discovery IV / 18m Passenger Catamaran" (PDF). q-west.com. Retrieved 15 September 2023.
- ^ Fox, Aaron. "SeapixOnline - Ngārapa". SeapixOnline. Retrieved 20 December 2024.
- ^ a b c "Our Fleet". Explore Group. Retrieved 4 April 2023.
External links
[edit]
- Explore Group New Zealand (official New Zealand website)
- Explore Group Australia (official Australian website)