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Southern Discoveries is continuing to update its innovative multilingual app with new GPS-enabled flight commentary and other enhancements.

The free app was first launched in late 2023 to provide commentary in multiple languages, including English, simplified Chinese, French, German, Japanese, Korean (South Korea), Portuguese, and Spanish for its Milford Sound coach experience, with cruise commentary following soon after.

“We wanted to ensure our international guests could enjoy the same level of accessibility and engagement,” says Southern Discoveries CEO Kerry Walker. “But we didn’t stop there. We have recently extended the commentary to our scenic flight partners using some clever GPS-enabled features.”

The most recent update was rolled out earlier this year to offer GPS-triggered commentary for scenic flight transfers to the Milford Sound cruise with Air Milford and Glenorchy Air.

“The process involved capturing the pilot’s wealth of stories and compiling them into the app as in-flight commentary on the fly-cruise-fly experience,” Walker explains.

“The app offers several key points of interest on scenic flights triggered when passing GPS points. Stories cover geology, Māori legends and early explorers, and give guests a deeper appreciation of Milford Sound’s natural beauty and history. Guests then move to their cruise, where the app provides commentary on the boat—a seamless experience.

Southern Discoveries plans to expand the app’s capabilities further by integrating commentary for their Milford Track Hike and Milford Sound Cruise products. This expansion will provide guests with a multilingual audio guide for what is considered one of the best walks in the world.

“Guests walk the Milford Track at their own pace, using the app to learn more about the local birdlife, the native bush, Clinton River, and Giant Gates Falls, one of the walk’s highlights.”

Walker expects to launch the Milford Track commentary by October, in time for the start of the hiking season. The company is also working to improve tech in other areas, including updating its coach screens, te reo pronunciation content, and improving WiFi availability on vessels.

Southern Discoveries is a local, family-owned company dedicated to sharing some of New Zealand’s most iconic scenery and extraordinary experiences with the world. Operating for more than 70 years, Southern Discoveries is Milford Sound’s original cruise operator. The company supports sustainable tourism initiatives, including the Tawaki Project in partnership with DoC, the Fiordland Conservation Trust and the University of Otago.