A Brief History of Piopiotahi/Milford Sound

Milford Sound, also known as Piopiotahi, is a famous attraction in New Zealand, with a rich and fascinating history. Here at Southern Alps Air, we provide scenic tours to this beautiful area, offering unique and extraordinary views of one of the most popular destinations in the country. 

But first, let’s take a look at the history of Milford Sound.

Formation and Discovery

Milford Sound is actually a fiord, formed by glaciers during the ice age. The glaciers melted over time, leading to lakes and rivers. With the rising sea level, these lakes and rivers flooded, connecting them to the Tasman Sea. 

Milford Sound was first discovered by Māori, though the area was most likely used for collecting food and greenstone. When Captain James Cook set up camp in Dusky Sound in 1773, south of Milford Sound, the Māori were still here, but Captain Cook hadn’t discovered Milford Sound at this time. 

In 1812, Captain John Grono sailed into Milford Sound, naming the place ‘Milford Haven’, becoming the first European to discover the area.

The European Settlers

Although Captain John Grono was the first to discover Milford Sound, the first settler was a Scotsman named Donald Sutherland, spending more than four decades here from 1877. By 1888, the Mackinnon Pass had been discovered, opening Milford Sound to tourists and travellers. The area was already becoming a tourist attraction, and in 1890, Sutherland and his wife, Elizabeth Samuel, built the first hotel, the Chalet, in the area. 

A Tourist Destination

Tourist walks, tour-boats, and other tourist activities began to flourish, making it a top tourist destination, not just in New Zealand, but in the world. Milford Sound was declared part of a UNESCO World Heritage Site, Te Wahipounamu, in 1990. 

Nowadays, tourists and travellers visit the area to witness its untouched and natural beauty by foot, car, boat, and/or plane.

At Southern Alps Air, we have over four decades of experience in delivering high-quality scenic tours of Milford Sound. With friendly and informative pilot commentary, plus window seats for each passenger, you are guaranteed an incredible scenic experience as you fly towards Milford Sound. For more information about our scenic tours, or would like to book your next tour, please don’t hesitate to contact us today.