Two item ideas I had too make Minecraft exploration more appealing.

One: The ender bundle, it is crafted using 2 amethyst, 1 ender pearl and a bundle. It functions like a Ender chest mixed with bundle.

It improves exploration by allowing you to Bank Valuable items without risking losing them if you die to far away from your spawn point and can't reach your stuff in time or fall into Lava.

It uses an Enderpearl instead of a eye of ender as too make it a Mid game storage item

Two: the grapling Gun

Crafted using and firing similarly to a Crossbow, this Tool works like the Hookshot in 3d zelda games or the grapling hook in Terraria, letting you shoot it out and then be dragged to any Block or Mob it hit within 15 blocks. It also removes the Shield of any mob or player if they blocked the attack.

Additionally it could be enchanted with Quick Charge, Unbreaking and efficiency which increases its range.

This improves exploration by making it easier to navigate mountains and caves no longer needing to pillar up to places.

Bonus: Brewing Potions should be rebalanced to be pre nether and too allow for potions to stack up to 8 or 16 as to improve exploration since it's easier to use swiftness potions and jump boost potions.