Milford Sound
When you choose Southern Discoveries, you’re not just booking a tour– you’re joining a family that’s been hosting visitors in Milford Sound for over 70 years.
Ever wondered why some tourism experiences feel more special than others? At Southern Discoveries, we believe the magic lies in treating our visitors like extended family rather than customers. And as one of New Zealand’s longest-running, family-owned tourism companies, we know a thing or two about creating unforgettable, family-like experiences.
From Red Boats to rich experiences
Our journey began in 1953 when we started operations as the iconic Red Boats of Milford Sound shortly after the Homer Tunnel opened the gateway to this natural wonder. As the original Milford Sound cruise operator, we laid the foundation for what would become one of New Zealand’s most beloved tourism experiences.
Many years later, in 2008, the Skeggs family saw something special in Milford Sound and Red Boats become Southern Discoveries. Sharing the original vision of Red Boats, the Skeggs family saw this as more than a business opportunity but a chance to preserve and enhance a crucial piece of New Zealand’s tourism heritage.
Today, we are as excited as ever about sharing this spectacular part of the world as we were on day one. (Though we’ll admit, our boats have had quite an upgrade since those early days!)
We are a proud, independent tourism operator, our family ownership has allowed us to maintain a personal touch while delivering world-class experiences.
As an independent tourism operator, we can:
- Take our time to get things just right
- Try new ideas when we spot an opportunity
- Keep that personal touch that big corporations often lose
The inside knowledge
When your family has been involved in New Zealand tourism for as long as ours, you pick up a few secrets along the way. Want to know the best time to spot seals? Looking for that perfect photo opportunity? Wondering why Milford Sound is actually a fiord? Our team loves sharing their insights and stories to add a little something extra to every experience.
Sure, we’ve grown since our Red Boat days. Now we offer everything from cruise experiences in Milford Sound to wine tours in Queenstown and an impressive line-up of combo products, but being family-owned means we’ve never lost that personal touch—we’ve just added a few more members of the family!
A family connection from fiord to vineyard
Our connection to some of the South Island’s best locations is extended thanks to our Skeggs family ties. The same family group that owns Southern Discoveries is also behind Mora Wines. Mora crafts exceptional Central Otago wines from vineyards in Bannockburn and Pisa. We’re proud to include a visit to the spectacular Mora Wines & Kitchen as part of our Queenstown Wine Tour.
The Southern Discoveries’ advantage
When you choose Southern Discoveries, you’re not just booking a tour – you’re joining a family that’s been hosting visitors in Milford Sound for over 70 years. We know all the best spots, all the local secrets, and most importantly, how to make you feel right at home in one of the world’s most spectacular locations.
Whether you’re joining us for a cruise through Milford Sound’s majestic fiords, marvelling at the sights of the Milford Road or exploring the Gibbston Valley’s best vineyards, you’ll experience that special touch that only a passionate, family-owned tourism NZ operator can provide.
Come and see for yourself why choosing a family-owned company makes all the difference to your New Zealand adventure!
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