Fantasea Whitsunday & Great Barrier Reef cruises and day trips

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Riverside Marine's multi-million dollar investment in tourism
10th June 2007

Australian marine transport group Riverside Marine undertook a multi-million-dollar expansion into the Northern Queensland tourism industry last year.

The Brisbane-based, family-owned company:

  • Acquired the multi-award-winning Whitsunday operation Fantasea Cruises, which is now trading as Fantasea Adventure Cruising;
  • Acquired the 60-metre MV Ammari, now known as MV Fantasea Ammari, which offers three-night cruises to the World Heritage Great Barrier Reef and the Whitsunday islands;
  • Invested in the construction of Fantasea Cruisin', a 12.5-metre high-speed aluminium rigid inflatable which serves as a 32-seat tender to Fantasea Ammari;
  • Extended the Fantasea brand to its Magnetic Island passenger and car ferry service, re-naming it Fantasea Cruising Magnetic;
  • Embarked on a $1 million upgrade of Fantasea One (which carries passengers to Reefworld, Fantasea's floating adventure platform) and re-branded it Fantasea Wonder.

Riverside Marine's Townsville ferry operations include the Palm Island Barge Service. The company also has the management contract for the Australian Institute of Marine Science's Townsville-based research vessels.

In Brisbane, Riverside Marine refuels ships and moves more than 700,000 tonnes of high-grade silica sand for the glass, foundry and construction industry.

In Western Australia Riverside Marine has a joint venture with Danish marine operator, Svitzer Wijsmuller, supplying towage services to ships in the ports of Bunbury and Dampier.

Riverside Marine and Fantasea Adventure Cruising provide employment for almost 400 shore-based and marine personnel. As well as operating ferry and barge services, the company's business operations include tugs and towage, oil bunkering, industrial sands and consultancy and management services.

"Whether in the general marine transport industry or in our tourism activities, the ethos of our companies is based on quality, presentation and delivery of memorable service," said Mr Hume Campbell, CEO of both Riverside Marine and Fantasea Adventure Cruising.