SeaLink Travel Group

In 1989, the business was founded with the purchase of the Kangaroo Island SeaLink business. In 2004, it purchased Subritzky Ferries in Auckland. This was sold in 2011.[1]

In 2011, the business of Captain Cook Cruises (including the previously taken over Matilda Cruises), Murray River Cruises and Sunferries Townsville was purchased.[1] The Townsville operation was rebranded Sealink.[2]

SeaLink has also diversified, purchasing specialist travel companies, managing the Adelaide Central bus station, operating the SkyLink Adelaide Airport Shuttle Service and a coach operation.[1][3] In September 2013, SeaLink commenced a ferry operation in Darwin.[4]

In October 2013, SeaLink was floated on the Australian Securities Exchange.[5]

In November 2015, SeaLink acquired Transit Systems marine operations, which includes:[6]

• Bay Islands Transit ferry operation in Brisbane,
• Gladstone Ferries,
• Stradbroke Ferries operation in Brisbane.

In February 2016, the Captain Cook Cruises Western Australia business was purchased.[7]

In October 2019, the company announced the acquisition of the remaining business of Transit Systems for $635 million.[8] As part of the transaction, Sealink's CEO, Jeff Ellison, stepped down, to be replaced by Transit Systems' CEO, Clint Feuerherdt, who took a 2.6% shareholding of the enlarged SeaLink.[9][10][11] Transit System's co-founder and chairman Neil Smith joined the SeaLink Board of Directors as a non-executive director and also took up 15.3% shareholding of the company.[12] The deal was completed in January 2020.[13]

On 4 November 2020, RiverCity Ferries, one of Sealink's subsidiaries, will take over the operation of Brisbane City Council's CityCat, CityHopper and Cross River Ferry networks from its previous operator, Transdev Brisbane Ferries.[14]