User:Mitchac/sandbox

Aquaduck Safaris Gold Coast
Is a privately owned Company that operates unique one hour amphibious tours from Surfers Paradise, Gold Coast Australia since 1996.

Originally named Aquabus Safaris. The amphibious bus conducts tours on land and water.

Company History of the Aquaduck Amphibious Bus
Founder Mitchell McIntyre built Australia’s first amphibious bus in 1996. In 1993 Mitch McIntyre applied to the Gold Coast City Council for approval to use boat ramps for amphibious bus tours that he envisaged for the Surfers Paradise. Also investigating road and marine transport requirements which became Australia’s first road registered amphibious bus, having to simultaneously comply with both road and marine transport regulations.

Mitch McIntyre planned to construct the amphibious bus in June 1994 by cutting a military vehicle (details trade secret) into more than 15 pieces then welding certain sections together in a unique format plus incorporating other numerous machinery, to complete Australia’s first custom built amphibious bus.

The Aquaduck carries 30 passengers and the hull, chassis, and superstructure are all made from aluminium. Water propulsion is via a propeller inside a tunnel between the rear wheels. Optional 4WD with wheels 1.6 metres in diameter.

Taking 20 months to build, in order for the Aquaduck to be compliant it had to pass numerous transport safety tests including water stability tests and brake testing on an aerodrome.

It is thought to be the worlds first purpose built road registered amphibious bus.

The second amphibious bus was built In 2000. Then a third in 2004.

The first built Aquaduck amphibious bus operated for 25 years until May 2021 which was still in great operational condition. It was then forced to retire due to the fact that the ‘Road Transport Dept.’ limits fare paying passenger buses to operate for a maximum 25 years.

During the 25 years it was estimated that the custom built Aquaduck travelled a distance further than the moon and back (over 1 million kilometres).

History of tours
On 11 May 1996 the Aquaduck conducted the first road registered amphibious bus tour in Australia.

The Aquaduck runs approximately 8 one hour tours everyday. During the busy season initially the first built Aquaduck was sometimes doing up to 12 tours a day before other Aquaducks were built.

The first unique one hour sightseeing round journey left from Orchid Avenue along the Surfers Paradise Esplanade, Norrowneck Surfing Beach to the Spit viewing Fishermans Wharf, Sheraton Hotel, Sea World before driving straight into the Broadwater at The Spit to discover all the action & Marina Mirage, Australia Fair, Mariners Cove, The Southport Yacht Club then under the bridge to observe the spectacular millionaires homes, canals and more. Then driving out of another ramp located at Budds Beach back to Surfers Paradise.

Today the Aquaduck Broadwater cruise portion goes in at the Spit and exits at Proud Park boat ramp (and vice versa depending on tide direction).

The Aquaduck has been on numerous TV travel shows over the years such as the Great Outdoors, Getaway etc. and many more.

The Aquaduck has been in many Surfers Paradise street parades.

Former Owners
Aquaduck Safaris founders: May 1996 to June 2003

Mitchell McIntyre, Thomas McIntyre, Nancy McIntyre

May 2003 to 2018

Victor Cooley, Geoff Cooley, Sid Cooley – Previously owned Cooley Baking Company

2018 onwards

Sarah Colgate, Chris Weide,

Safety record
The custom built Aquaduck has been constructed to be very safe (much safer than the World War II Army DUKW) It has a much higher free-board. The hull is made completely from 5mm thick aluminium. It also has  an in-hull bulkhead compartment to assist floatation assisting if any water happens enter over the sides. Its enormous bilge pumps can pump 1136 litres per minute.

No hospitalisation injuries have ever been reported since inception 11 May 1996.