Milford Sound
An Antipodean travel company serving World Travellers since 1983
is one of New Zealand‘s most celebrated landmarks, with its punctuating the already pristine wilderness of New Zealand’s . , or Piopiotahi in its Māori name, is a located in the south west of New Zealand’s , running 15km inland from the . lies within the greater area, which has been listed as a world heritage site since 1990. Of all the fiords in this area, is easily New Zealand’s most famous, and recognizable, attracting between 500,000 to a million tourists each year.
The region surrounding is uniquely shaped by its distinctive environmental conditions, which has the highest amount of annual rainfall of anywhere in New Zealand, and some of the highest in the world. This climate has shaped the in a distinct way, with its huge vertical punctuated by rolling waterfalls that makes for a dramatic vista, regardless of rain of shine. This deluge of fresh water also has the effect of turning the surrounding sea an inky black colour, with the runoff from the surrounding forests staining the top layer of fresh water much like a dye. This specific combination of salt and freshwater, combined with the depth of the ‘s inlet, has also had the effect of creating a unique biome around , allowing deep sea life to exist in relatively shallow conditions.
History
was first ‘discovered’ by Europeans in the year 1812, with Captain John Grono naming the ‘Milford Haven’ after his hometown back in Wales. This name was later changed to ‘‘ some years later, despite the area technically being classified as a . Famous British explorer Captain James Cook also passed by the entrance to upon two occasions around the year 1773, though the area was never fully explored until much later. Cook feared that the and waters around the inlet would prove too treacherous for his expedition, and that his could potentially be trapped there by powerful winds. Cook instead opted to establish camp in Dusky Sound, a smaller to the south where he stayed for approximately five weeks.
New Zealand’s Māori people have a far longer relationship with the area, stretching back over 1,000 years. Historically the area around was used by hunters and foragers as a source of food, as well as for the collection of ‘takiwai’ or greenstone, a rare, translucent type of Jade worn as jewellery by Māori chiefs. The name ‘Piopiotahi’ derives from Māori legend, where a great hero known as Maui was killed by the goddess of death Hine-nui-te-po, while battling to win immortality for mankind. Upon his death, his companion, a now extinct piopio bird, flew to the to mourn and sing of their loss, with the name ‘Piopiotahi’ translating as ‘a single piopio’. Today both names are now formally used to refer to the area following the 1998 passage of the Ngai Tahu Claims Settlement Act.
Nature and Wildlife
has an abundance of aquatic life, with its huge variety making it a popular destination for those on a or , especially for those hoping to spot the area’s famous . Characterized by its long and assertive yellow eyebrows, the penguin is endemic to the region and be spotted nestled amongst the rocks on the nearby shore, or darting through the water with surprising agility. Bottlenose dolphins are also commonly found around , comprising the southernmost population of the species found on the planet, along with seals, and even the occasional whale. In addition to this, the unique biome around also allows black coral to grow relatively close to the surface, usually found in the deep ocean, this coral is a striking feature that adds to the unique and otherworldly feel of the .
Traveling to
For those looking to embark on a , the two most common points of departure for the come from the nearby towns of , and respectively. is the smaller of the two towns, itself also located within the area. While in it is worth exploring the famous glow worm grotto, a cave system lit by the bioluminescent life within, as well as , the largest of the lakes on the . The other point of departure for a is , a popular resort town famous for its breath taking mountain views and and valleys. is a popular destination for a number of reasons; for those interested in skiing, is a hub for New Zealand’s ‘‘, and for nature lovers, the sight of reflecting the surrounding mountains is unforgettable. And of course if you’re a fan of the Lord of the Rings, you can take a short out of town and find many of the locations used in the filming of the trilogy, including Beorn’s cabin, Isengard, and the Misty Mountains.
There are a number of ways to , whether that be a , , , or a through the , each offering a unique and interesting way to appreciate the environment, and glimpse the . Odyssey specialises in offering small group tours, partnering with local guides to provide a relaxed and comfortable pace and atmosphere that sets us apart from larger groups. is the ideal location for a , and whether you choose a , , or the Milford Track and its incredible , is definitely worth the effort.
Published October 2020