Milford Sound works its ‘magic’ on Minister

Media Release from Southern Discoveries
10 November 2010

Milford Sound works its ‘magic’ on Minister of Conservation

The natural untouched beauty of Milford Sound worked its magic on Minister of Conservation Kate Wilkinson when she officially launched the Southern Discoveries Milford Discovery Centre and Milford Deep Underwater Observatory today (Wednesday November 10).

The Minister and invited guests took a short boat trip around the fiord, cruising past the foot of Mitre Peak, one of the world’s most photographed mountains, before visiting the centre and unveiling a special plaque.

“Milford Sound and the Fiordland National Park are really exceptional, and it’s good to be reminded just why so many visitors flock here from all around the world,” she said.

The Minister paid tribute to Southern Discoveries and its partnerships with DOC and the Fiordland Conservation Trust.

“Southern Discoveries don’t just talk about conservation, they actually do it with the Sinbad Sanctuary Project.

“Business and conservation works so well together, it’s amazing what projects are happening.”

The Minister described Milford Sound as a “treasure” and stunning place in New Zealand, deservedly a World Heritage area.

“The Discovery Centre is an amazing facility, and I wish you all the best for hundreds and hundreds of visitors.

“It’s pretty special to be here looking out to Sinbad Gully which is so much a part of what you are doing.

“The future of conservation in New Zealand is really reliant on the strong support of communities and business.”

At the centre’s opening ceremony the Minister experienced 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 half million dollar 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 10m below the surface to marvel at spectacular marine life in its natural habitat.

Southern Discoveries’ General Manager John Robson said the company had very strong conservation values, so the Minister was the perfect choice to open it.

“It’s very important to us that visitors have a ‘learning element’ to their Milford experience, with its unique native plant life and rare animal and marine species.

“The new centre is a very innovative way to help people really appreciate this exceptional place, and we were proud to show the Minister today what we’re doing with our Sinbad Sanctuary project, run in partnership with the Department of Conservation and the Fiordland Conservation Trust.

“This is a true partnership between DOC and a private business. This structure was put into the fiord in 1994 and is a prime example of what can happen in a National Park and a World Heritage Area.”

Among guests at the opening were DOC Southern Conservator Barry Hansen, Southland District Mayor Frana Cardno, agents and activity operators from Milford Sound, Te Anau and Queenstown, and members of the Skeggs board.

About Southern Discoveries

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 Café and Bar in Milford Sound.

The Discovery Centre features stunning 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.

Southern Discoveries was bought by the Dunedin-based Skeggs Group in September 2008.

ENDS

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