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Company type | Private |
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Industry | Ferry & tourism company |
Founded | 2001Auckland | in
Headquarters | , |
Area served | |
Key people |
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Parent | Moturua Properties Limited |
Divisions |
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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]
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.
Main article: List of Auckland ferries |
Name | Image | Shipyard | Launched | Capacity | Length | Class/type | Notes |
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Tuhi Rapa | ![]() |
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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 | ![]() |
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2018[14] 6 years ago |
170[15] 40 bikes |
21m[13] | IC17050[15] | Relocated from the Whitsunday Islands[16] |
Discovery IV (D4) | ![]() |
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1998[17] 26 years ago |
80[17] | 17.1m[17] | Relocated from the Bay of Islands[16] |