Minister of Conservation opens new Milford Sound attraction

New Zealand Minister of Conservation Kate Wilkinson has opened the Southern Discoveries Milford Discovery Centre and Milford Deep Underwater Observatory.

At the centre's opening ceremony the Minister unveilled a special plaque before experiencing the newly developed Milford attraction, which incorporates Milford Deep, New Zealand's only floating underwater observatory.

Southern Discoveries is unique in operating the Milford Discovery Centre, which together with Milford Deep provides a rich educational resource of information unavailable anywhere else in the world-renowned fiord.

The $500,000 development sits on an existing floating structure within Milford Sound. It is the only structure of its kind in the Piopiotahi (Milford Sound) Marine Reserve, where visitors descend more than 10 metres below the surface to marvel at spectacular marine life in its natural habitat. Milford Deep Underwater Observatory first opened 15 years ago.

Southern Discoveries' General Manager John Robson said the new centre brings "a fresh learning element" to visitors' Milford experience, stating "Southern Discoveries is constantly looking for new and innovative ways to develop and share our strong conservation values.

"At the Milford Discovery Centre, visitors of all ages can learn a thing or two about the National Park and Milford Soundâs untouched, natural beauty with its unique native plant life and rare animal and marine species.

"It's designed to help people get a real feel and appreciation for this truly exceptional place in the world."

The Discovery Centre features information panels, videos, pictures and a guided tour which takes customers through a historical journey covering early European settlement and tourism, Maori history, the building of the Homer Tunnel and developments of the Milford Road and Milford Track.

Robson adds "among the information at the Centre is an area dedicated to our Sinbad Sanctuary project, which looks to protect the habitat of rare species in the Sinbad Gully at the foot of Mitre Peak.

"This particular project is at the very heart of our conservation estate and receives a lot of commitment from our team, and our partners at the Department of Conservation and the Fiordland Conservation Trust."

Southern Discoveries is the oldest and most well-established operator in Milford Sound, taking visitors around the fiord on its fleet of modern, comfortable, dolphin-friendly boats to encounter unique wildlife, tumbling waterfalls and the towering beauty and majesty of Mitre Peak. It has a fleet of three spacious catamarans and the Encounter Cruise, and also operates the Blue Duck Cafe and Bar in Milford Sound.

Before visiting the Milford Discovery Centre and unveiling the plaque, Minister Wilkinson and invited guests experienced a short boat trip around the fiord, cruising past the base of Sinbad Gully and the foot of Mitre Peak.

Southern Discoveries was bought by the Dunedin-based Skeggs Group in September 2008, at which time Group Managing Director David Skeggs promised an on-going programme of investment.

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