 | |
| Company type | Private |
|---|---|
| Industry | Ferry & tourism company |
| Founded | 2001; 24 years ago (2001) inAuckland |
| Headquarters | , |
Area served | |
Key people |
|
| Parent | Moturua Properties Limited |
| Divisions |
|
| Website | exploregroup |
Explore Group Limited is aferry and tourism company located inNew Zealand andAustralia. The company operates in theBay of Islands,Whitsunday Islands,Hauraki Gulf andWaitematā Harbour.[1] Explore operatessailing experiences on former Americas Cup Yachts, excursions andpublic transportferry services forAuckland Transport.[2]
In 2014 Explore began anAuckland toWaiheke Island service.[3] However, in 2016, plagued by infrastructure and passenger number issues, the company was forced to end the service, leavingFullers Group the sole passenger ferry company operating services to the island.[4]
Explore began expanding in July 2021 by buyingFullers GreatSights Bay of Islands.[5]
Following the announcement fromFullers Group that on 1 October 2023, ferry services toBirkenhead,Te Onewa/Northcote Pt andBayswater would be suspended,[6] Explore Group announced on 15 September 2023 thatAuckland Transport had contracted them to take over operations of Fuller's cancelled routes[7] - marking Explore's reentry into the public transport industry.
| Name | Image | Shipyard | Launched | Capacity | Length | Class/type | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tuhi Rapa |  |  Aluminium Marine,Brisbane[8] | 2022[9] 3 year ago | 300[10] 30 bikes | 29m[10] | IC22043[11] | |
| Island Explorer |  | Aluminium Marine,Brisbane[12] | 2018[13] 7 years ago | 170[14] 40 bikes | 21m[12] | IC17050[14] | Relocated from theWhitsunday Islands[15] |
| Discovery IV (D4) | .jpg) |  Q-West,Whanganui[16] | 1998[16] 27 years ago | 80[16] | 17.1m[16] | Relocated from theBay of Islands[15] | |
| Ngārapa |  | Wooden Boat Workshop,Parnell[citation needed] | 1996[17] 29 years ago | 55[18] | 15[18] | Relocated from theBay of Islands.[18] Previously called Discovery III.[note 1] |
Notes
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