Before the Europeans arrived the region was sparsely occupied by
Maoris, mainly refugees from the tribal wars in the East. Only the need
for safety attracted them to this empty, impenetrable land.
Abel Tasman first encountered Westland in 1642 but it was not until
1859 that any ship's log recorded the sight of the great glaciers.
Explorers seeking fertile farming land and geologists drawn by the
wilderness landscapes explored and named the glaciers but South Westland's
solitude remained almost unbroken.
Gold, discovered in 1864, brought huge changes. Okarito, Five Mile and
Gillespies goldtowns boomed with around 16,000 hopeful diggers - some vast
fortunes were made but a mere 18 months later most miners were to drift
away, disillusioned, leaving a hardy few to continue to work the beaches
and gorges. Those who stayed eventually looked beyond the gold to
seek a living from the land. These early settlers turned to farming,
sawmilling and offering accommodation and guidance to tourists.
Earliest travellers stayed in guestrooms in local farmers' houses.
Eventually hotels were built but the warm and friendly atmosphere remained.
Enterprising young men saw a future in operating excursions up on the ice
and by the 1900s tracks and bridges were built to provide access onto the
glaciers. Formal clothing and inadequate equipment did not deter the early
visitors. With a few temporary nails in the soles of their shoes, ladies
and gentlemen adorned in long dresses and bow ties were soon regularly
exploring the glaciers carefully assisted by early mountain guides.
