Fullers GreatSights Bay of Islands
 | |
| Company type | Subsidiary |
|---|---|
| Industry | Travel and Tourism |
| Founded | 1887 |
| Founder | Albert Ernest Fuller |
| Defunct | 31 July 2021  |
| Headquarters | , |
Area served | Bay of Islands |
| Services | Cruises, land tours, transport |
| Parent | Explore Group Ltd |
| Website | https://www.dolphincruises.co.nz |
Fullers GreatSights is a major tourism company based in Northland, New Zealand. Today it is Northland's largest marine tourism operator with a wide range of cruises and land tours.
History
In 1887, Albert Ernest Fuller launched the "Undine" sailing ship in the Bay of Islands to deliver coal supplies to the islands within the Bay. With the fitting of a motor in the early 1900s, Fuller was able to deliver the coal and essential supplies to communities as far out as Cape Brett. In 1927 Fuller acquired the "Cream Trip" from Eddie Lane – with the facilities on board to transport cream from the islands, and by the 1960s, the well known ‘Bay Belle’ started this run. Although a modern catamaran now takes this historical route (The Cream Trip), the Bay Belle continues to transport visitors and locals between Paihia and Russell throughout the day. [1]
The company expanded to Auckland and became Fullers Corporation. In 1989 Fullers Corporation split into the Bay of Islands company and the Auckland operations, which were taken over by what is now Fullers Group.[2]
In December 2008 Fullers Bay of Islands was rebranded Fullers GreatSights to bring it in line with InterCity Group's parent sightseeing brand of GreatSights New Zealand. It offers a range of Bay of Islands cruises and day tours around the region and operates passenger and vehicle ferries between Paihia and Russell/Opua and Okiato.
In 2019 InterCity Group rebranded as Entrada Travel Group, to distinguish itself from its individual operators. [3]
In July 2021, Entrada Travel Group sold Fullers Greatsights to New Zealand based marine tourism operator, Explore Group. Explore Group operates cruises and tours in the Bay of Islands and Auckland and also operates out Hamilton Island in Australia. The Company was renamed to Northland Ferries Limited on the 2nd of August 2021 and spun off, the remaining fleet still operates under the Fullers Greatsights Brand. The company has been mostly integrated within Explore Group Ltd. [4] Northland Ferries now operates the Opua-Okiato and Rawene/Narrows Car Ferry services, and the Paihia-Russell Passenger service. [5]
Vessels
The Fleet of Fullers Greatsights Includes:
- Dolphin Seeker — 23.4 metres, Built in 2001 by Q-West Boat Builders of Whanganui for Kings Tours & Cruises.[6]
- Te Maki — 23.9 metres, Built in 2017 by Challenge Marine of Nelson for Fullers Greatsights.[7]
- Te Papahu — 17.7 metres, Unknown Builder or Year of Construction [citation needed]
- Island Adventurer — 12.6 metres, Built by Naiad.
Former Vessels:
- Bay Belle II — 16 metres, Built in 2011 by Gough Brothers of Invercargill for Fullers Greatsights.[8] Transferred to Northland Ferries in August 2021.
- Tangaroa III — 19.8 metres, Built in 1999 by Cercia and designed by Teknicraft. And is now called 'Picking Daisies'.[9]
-
Dolphin Seeker -
Te Maki -
Te Papahu -
Bay Belle II before August 2021 -
Tangaroa III prior to retirement in Late 2017
References
- ^ "About Fullers GreatSights". Fullers Greatsights. Fullers Greatsights. Retrieved 6 June 2022.
- ^ Bond, Georgina (19 January 2005). "Fullers sail into confused waters". The New Zealand Herald. Retrieved 21 October 2015.
- ^ "InterCity Group becomes Entrada Travel Group". Scoop Independent News. Entrada Travel Group. 17 July 2019. Retrieved 6 June 2022.
- ^ "Explore Group Purchases Fullers Great Sights Bay Of Islands". Scoop Independent News. Explore Group. 1 July 2021. Retrieved 6 June 2022.
- ^ "Northland Ferries". Northland Ferries. Retrieved 6 June 2022.
- ^ "Dolphin Seeker Overview". Q-West Boat Builders. Retrieved 6 June 2022.
- ^ "Incat Crowther 24 - Te Maki". Incat Crowther. Retrieved 6 June 2022.
- ^ "Bay Belle II Builds on 50 Years of Heritage" (PDF). Professional Skipper NZ. July–August 2011. Retrieved 6 June 2022.
- ^ "Internet Archive - Teknicraft Nick De Waal 65 PC – Picking Daisies". Multi Hull Solutions. Archived from the original on 25 March 2021. Retrieved 6 June 2022.
External links
- Fullers GreatSights (official company website)