Things To Do

Southern Discoveries - Queenstown Visitor Centre

110 Beach St, St, Omer Wharf, Queenstown 9300

Rating: 4.6 ★ (864 ratings)

Details

Southern Discoveries - Queenstown Visitor Centre, located at St Omer Wharf on Beach Street, serves as a primary hub for exploring the breathtaking landscapes of the South Island. As a premier New Zealand tourism operator, it is well-regarded for providing extensive options for experiencing Milford Sound, a world-renowned natural attraction. The centre offers a welcoming atmosphere, positioning visitors perfectly to embark on memorable adventures amidst Queenstown's vibrant setting.

Visitors often choose to embark on coach and cruise tours to Milford Sound, which frequently feature comfortable transport, including buses with glass roofs, allowing for panoramic views of the scenic journey. Expert local guides enhance the experience with engaging commentary, pointing out significant landmarks and wildlife. Beyond Milford Sound, the centre also facilitates Queenstown lake cruises, the Mt Nicholas Farm Experience, and the Station 2 Station Cycle Trail, ensuring a diverse range of activities.

This centre is best suited for individuals and families eager to discover the iconic natural wonders of the region through well-organised tours. It caters to those seeking a seamless travel experience with knowledgeable guidance, making it ideal for comprehensive day trips from Queenstown to destinations like Milford Sound. The overall appeal lies in its reliable service and wide array of options, providing access to unforgettable New Zealand adventures.

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Location

Opening Hours

Monday: 5:30 AM – 8:00 PM | Tuesday: 5:30 AM – 8:00 PM | Wednesday: 5:30 AM – 8:00 PM | Thursday: 5:30 AM – 8:00 PM | Friday: 5:30 AM – 8:00 PM | Saturday: 5:30 AM – 8:00 PM | Sunday: 5:30 AM – 8:00 PM

Contact

+64 800 264 536 | https://www.southerndiscoveries.co.nz/queenstown/?utm_source=google&utm_medium=organic&utm_campaign=gbp-listing&utm_content=queenstown-visitor-centre

Comments

Georgina Dolan
1 Sep 2026
5.0 ★
Southern Discoveries provided an incredible trip to Milford Sound, stopping off at equally gorgeous locations on the way including mirror lakes which was a favourite for us.
The bus journey was smooth and expertly narrated by Keith who mixed in a bunch of facts and humour throughout.
We had a delicious packed lunch which included a very yummy chicken sandwich, plus some extras (my favourites were the Anzac biscuit and whittakers chocolate bar but I have a sweet tooth so that’s to be expected).
The cruise itself was spectacular with waterfalls aplenty and some gorgeous rainbows which just made the already amazing scenery ten times better! We even saw some baby seals lounging on the rocks in the sun.
On the way back we got to visit Woodstone Farm and there is an option to feed the animals there.
Overall it was an incredible day and I would recommend it to anyone thinking about heading to Milford Sound.
Megan Raff
24 May 2026
5.0 ★
Our family had an absolutely spectacular experience with the Discover More tour from Queenstown to Milford Sound. We were picked up by taxi promptly at 6:30AM at the Top10 for a ride to the visitors center where we were greeted cheerfully by the staff and boarded right away onto our coach. Our driver, Vaughn, was so knowledgeable and kind, stopping at quite a number of places for photo opportunities and even a bonus stop at the local Te Anau petting farm for an evening break on the way home. He was generous about snapping photos for all the guests, and patient when we got a little motion sick. We learned a lot from him about the history, geology, legends, culture, and more about the area for the whole drive to the sound. Everything is coordinated perfectly so there was no waiting time, plenty of potty breaks and opportunities to stretch our legs. We even saw Kea at one stop! The Discover More boat cruise was fantastic with Host Nick, Captain Haho, and the ladies at the cafe who all treated our family of 6 with kindness and extra care. It wasn’t crowded, the boat was clean and comfortable, and the cafe was well stocked. After an easy drive home, it doesn’t seem like a 13 hour day! I was worried it would be tough on the kids ages 4-11, but it was so well done we were all quite happy and comfortable the entire time. Thanks so much for the amazing day, team!
Belle Rio
8 May 2026
5.0 ★
Great tour company with top notch service and variety of tours. We booked the Milford Sound Bus ride with scenic stops and our driver was very knowledgeable and entertaining on what was long day. As they have their own boats, we paid for the buffet lunch which was worth the extra cost. Delicious food before the boat ride into Milford Sound. Stunning. You don't be disappointed with Southern Discoveries.
W Ho
27 Apr 2026
5.0 ★
Apr 2026 // Excellent experience with Southern Discoveries! Milford Sound is a wonder you wouldn't wanna miss. We would like to give a shout-out to Vaughan. Loved his energy and dedication, would give him 15/10 if we could. We booked the Milford Sound Cruise + Buffet lunch tour departing from Queenstown which took over 12h and Vaughan's energy remained ever so high throughout. We knew we were in good hands as he drove us through the multiple scenic spots along the way to Milford Sound, while giving excellent commentary/historical significance of these spots. These were nuggets of info we wouldn't have known if we had made the drive ourselves. Vaughan's exceptional service elevated our experience - thanks for the excellent work!
Cheers,
J&W from Singapore
Xbox User
11 Mar 2026
5.0 ★
Thank you Southern Discoveries, our driver Jack, and our smart, funny, cheeky guide Ellie (sp?) you guys did a great job getting us there/back safely and sharing all the points of interest. This review details the Milford Sound bus and boat tour. The ride was comfortable, spacious and had a glass-top roof, providing a majestic view. Ellie regaled us with Mauri stories and history using humour and knowledge, that kept everyone engaged.

I highly recommend the tour, it's a great way to see a lot and learn about the customs, history, and efforts NZ adopts to help preserve it's nature.

It's a long day by bus and boat, but worth it. They break it up with stops in between for bathroom and meals/drinks. Plan on spending 14+ hours seeing the most beautiful, raw, unspoiled, natural countryside in all its splendor.

The 2hr boat ride was magnificent. We had a clear day (mostly) and saw a dozen waterfalls, a dolphin pod, and even a sea lion basking on the rocks.

The crew & captain took turns providing interesting facts and commentary on how the fjords were carved out of rock and glacier and why they're called sounds instead of fjords.

Lunch on the boat was "just okay" A pre-packaged sandwich, chips, apple, cheese & crackers, bar of chocolate and some cookies. Coffee, tea, and glacial water are provided free of charge. They have a serving counter with soda, beer and wine along with some pastries and sandwiches available for purchase.

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