Experienced tourism operator Southern Discoveries is focusing on the future of tourism in Milford Sound, with the sale of its Queenstown vessel enabling further investment in its Milford Sound and coaching operations.
Southern Discoveries has confirmed it has reached a conditional agreement for the sale of its Spirit of Queenstown vessel to RealNZ. This will see the retention of Spirit of Queenstown on Lake Whakatipu, servicing RealNZ’s Walter Peak experiences.
Spirit of Queenstown is purpose-built for Queenstown, with Southern Discoveries bringing it in to service its Mt Nicholas Farm Experience in 2014. During COVID, the vessel successfully pivoted to a lake cruise and dining experience.
Southern Discoveries used STAPP funds and additional owner contributions to revive its experiences in Milford Sound and Queenstown with the downturn of tourism because of the pandemic.
This enabled the organisation to retain its core team and achieve some significant successes. Southern Discoveries is now the market leader in both day trips to Milford from Queenstown and the cruise operator of choice in Milford Sound.
The sale of its Queenstown vessel enables the organisation to focus on its core tourism ventures in Milford Sound and the coach services that support it.
Southern Discoveries has been owned and operated by the Skeggs Group since 2009 and incoming CEO Kerry Walker welcomes the focus of the organisation on Milford Sound.
“Our focus has shifted from surviving COVID to looking towards the future,” she says.
“We’re excited about the tourism journey ahead, developing and building our Milford Sound and coaching experiences.
“It’s a clear signal that tourism is on the positive rebound, and that Southern Discoveries is heading towards a sustainable future.”
