Milford Sound
Southern Discoveries is leading the way in emergency preparedness, so you can travel with peace of mind.
Milford Sound is one of the most remote and awe-inspiring places in New Zealand. It’s a destination that promises unforgettable experiences but it also comes with unique challenges. That’s why we’ve taken the step to ensure our guests and staff are safe, no matter what nature throws our way.
What’s New? Emergency survival gear for the Southern Discoveries fleet
Southern Discoveries is proud to be the first tourism operator in Milford Sound to be AF8-ready. That means we’ve equipped our entire fleet of coaches with specialist survival gear designed for a major earthquake scenario, sometimes known as AF8.
Each coach now carries:
- Long-life food and bottled water
- Emergency shelters and survival blankets
- Headlamps, waterproof ponchos, and hygiene items
- Stretchers and four-person self-rescue backpacks
- Satellite communication devices with SOS and two-way texting
- Heartshine Samaritan AEDs (Automated External Defibrillators)
We’ve also placed grab-and-go packs in staff housing in Milford Sound, so our team is prepared even when off the clock.
Training Day: Putting the gear to the test
To make sure our team knows how to use the gear, we held a hands-on training exercise near Queenstown in July this year. The drill simulated realistic earthquake scenarios, giving our coach team and senior managers the chance to practice setting up shelters and using rescue tools.
We partnered with Christchurch-based experts The Survival Co., who created a custom gear package tailored to the challenges of Fiordland’s remote terrain.
Why it matters
Milford Sound’s isolation is part of its magic but it also means help can take time to arrive in an emergency. Being prepared is simply the right thing to do. Because we operate in a region that also has seismic risks, it’s our responsibility to be prepared for any eventuality.
Planning a trip to Milford Sound?
Explore our Milford Sound cruises and coach transfers and travel with confidence knowing we’ve got your safety in mind.
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