EXCLUSIVE: HOBART’S Mt. Wellington road closures due to snowfall are now better handled thanks to the kunanyi/Mt Wellington Explorer Bus company, whose latest bus-fleet addition gives it access to the mountain when Pinnacle Road is closed, it says.
Launching its new snow tour, managing director of kunanyi/Mt Wellington Explorer Bus Jonathon Gregory says the new service will feature a new bus developed specifically for the Pinnacle Road route through detailed consultation with Bus & Coach International (BCI), using their extensive experience building buses for Australia, New Zealand, North America and Europe.
“The new kunyani/Mt Wellington Explorer bus is a state-of-the-art vehicle which can seat 27 passengers, is only 8.8m long and narrower than a full-size bus,” Gregory said.
“It’s got big windows that offer a fantastic viewing experience and comfy McConnell seat-belted seats. The bus climbs Pinnacle Road with ease ensuring passengers enjoy a quiet, smooth and relaxing journey.
“It also features AdBlue® emission reducing technology,” Gregory explained.
“The bus has roll-on, roll-off wheelchair access so we will be able to provide year-’round access for everybody – all ages, all abilities, in all weather.”
EXCLUSIVE ACCESS
Gregory says in the peak winter season, the bus is fitted with alpine tyres and snow chains as required. When snow is on kunyani/Mt Wellington, the trip will be a two-stage process, from Brooke Street Pier to The Springs and then up into the snow.
The company says it has exclusive and unique access to kunanyi/Mt Wellington when Pinnacle Road is closed due to snow.
“We expect many visitors to Tasmania to take the city-to-the-snow route, with locals choosing to drive to The Springs and then hop on the kunyani/Mt Wellington Explorer Bus from there,” he said.
“The round trip from the city to the Big Bend carpark, where passengers can play in the snow, will be round 2.5 hours, with the trip from The Springs and back around an hour.”
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Gregory said all of the kunyani/Mt Wellington Explorer Bus drivers had been especially trained.
“Our seven drivers were all trained interstate on the Victorian snowfields, with special training in emergency management, risk assessment and environmental management.”
FAMILY BUSINESS
kunanyi/Mt Wellington Explorer Bus is a family owned and operated Tasmanian business. At the time of the launch, Jonathon Gregory paid special tribute to his wife, Fiona, and their family and staff, along with the City of Hobart and Wellington Park Management Trust, which have helped the kunyani/Mt Wellington Explorer Bus through its year-long planning process.
ABOUT KUNANYI/MT WELLINGTON EXPLORER BUS
Founded in 2018, kunanyi/Mt Wellington Explorer Bus is proudly Tasmanian owned and operated, it states.
With more than 20 years of experience as transport operators and small business owners within Hobart’s local tourism industry, kunanyi/Mt Wellington Explorer Bus was successfully awarded the tender to supply a year-round shuttle bus service from Hobart city to the summit of kunanyi/Mt Wellington.
According to the company, its vision is to share its local knowledge with visitors and provide an exceptional shuttle bus service to kunanyi/Mt Wellington. Tours operate 7 days a week, 364 days of the year (closed Christmas Day).
kunanyi/Mt Wellington Explorer Bus is operated by a small, experienced and dedicated team, it says.
Photography: courtesy Red Decker Company