Slope Point
What: Slope Point
Where: Southland, NZ South Island
At the southernmost tip of New Zealand’s South Island lies Slope Point—a remote and windswept headland that marks the furthest point of land before Antarctica. It’s not the kind of place you stumble across, but those who make the journey are rewarded with dramatic scenery and a true sense of isolation.
There’s no town, car park or visitor centre here—just farmland, a well-worn walking track and a yellow AA signpost marking the distance to the South Pole (4,803 km) and the Equator (5,140 km). The short walk across private land is only accessible outside of lambing season (usually open from November to May), and takes you past rugged paddocks and out to steep cliffs that drop into the churning Southern Ocean.
The wind at Slope Point is near-constant, sculpting the landscape and even the trees into permanently slanted shapes. It’s wild, raw and beautiful—a place that feels completely removed from the pace of modern life.
While it’s not a major tourist hub, Slope Point is a memorable detour for anyone exploring the Catlins region. Bring a jacket, a camera, and a sense of adventure—there’s not much here, and that’s exactly the point.
