This is one of New Zealand's most iconic scenes. In the late 19th century, Milford Sound was less accessible than it is today. It could be visited only by a hike over difficult terrain or by special steamer excursions. From the 1870s, professional photographers competed fiercely to bring back images of its spectacular scenery, first prompting, and then reflecting, tourist visits to the area. Today, thousands of tourists take the same photograph from the same spot.