Milford Discovery Centre and Milford Deep Underwater Observatory unavailable until further notice

Tourism operator Southern Discoveries has announced that the Milford Discovery Centre and Milford Deep Underwater Observatory are unavailable until further notice.

A severe storm on Friday night (July 8 2011) battered the landing pontoon for the centre and observatory causing significant structural damage and rendering it unsafe to berth vessels.

While the pontoon was damaged, the Discovery Centre and Underwater Observatory did not suffer any structural damage in the storm, and the observatory’s prized black coral beds are also undamaged as they were lowered into deeper water before the storm hit.

As a result of the storm, the centre and the observatory will be out of action for approximately the next six weeks meaning neither can be accessed by members of the public.

Currently, the access road to Milford Sound is closed and has been so since last Thursday due to snow. As a result of ongoing wind and snow, phone lines to Milford are also currently down.

Southern Discoveries’ General Manager John Robson said the company had carried out initial assessment of the damage and would be working with engineers and insurance assessors to fix the landing pontoon as soon as possible.

Passengers already booked to visit the Discovery Centre will be refunded their upgrade price.

When the road re-opens, passengers traveling to Milford Sound, the Discovery Centre and Underwater Observatory with Go Milford Coach & Cruise from Te Anau will do so at a reduced price of $159pp until the centre re-opens.