Fiordland Pre 1911

Frontpage

john-key-merv-halliday This unique book was released from the printers in January 2010 and is the result of my long-held passion for history in Fiordland. I am a commentary bus driver driving between Te Anau and Milford Sound. This book is unique in the fact that it is the first time the early history has been collated in one place chronologically. The book covers events and observations in chronological order mostly taken directly from the old Otago Witness. The media of the day reported in great detail, observations and happenings as written by individuals whilst travelling through the area which is now known as Fiordland from the arrival of the first European surveyors in the early-1800s through to 1911, and includes mainly newspaper stories and photographs taken at the time. All the photographs are over 100 years old and of high quality. The tenacity and fortitude of the pioneers has to be admired--- the story of the finding of William Quill's body is a typical example. The book also tells how the now almost extinct Kakapo was the main source of food until the rabbit and possum were introduced. It tells of the great determination to form a road from the Wakatipu area to Milford Sound, Martins Bay and Jacksons Bay; the finding of the Sutherland Falls, Mckinnon Pass and the Homer Saddle. Today people are surprised to learn of a 11-roomed Hotel at Milford Sound 60 years before you could drive there. This fact alone gives an idea as to how popular the area was back in those early days.
Many stories on Manapouri, All the Sounds, Martins Bay, Big Bay, Haast-Hollyford Road, Lake Wakatipu, Queenstown, Shipwrecks, Marakura & Te Anau, Milford Track, Puysegur Point & Preservation Inlet, Pyke Valley, Mossburn, Lumsden, Mining, Early Maori, Liberation of fish, rabbits and birds, Early Coach services, Prisoners & Convicts, Takahe, Kakapo.
Tells of the discovery of Sutherland Falls, McKinnon Pass, Homer Saddle, Wilmot Pass and other early routes.