Slope Point's End

Slope Point is a must-visit destination in the Catlins region of New Zealand's South Island. It is the southernmost point on the South Island, located 24 kilometers (15 miles) south of the small settlement of Waikawa, near the southwestern edge of the Catlins and Toetoes Bay, and 70 kilometers (43 miles) east of Invercargill.

The land around Slope Point is used for sheep farming, and there are no houses anywhere nearby. Eroded cliffs drop down to the sea below, and the weather is so fierce that the whipping winds have left a patch of trees weirdly warped.

On a pleasant day, beams of sunlight spotlight the gnarled knot, giving it the appearance of a surreal piece of art. Against the ominous gray skies of a drearier visit, the mangled mass seems almost sinister. The area is sparsely inhabited, apart from the sheep that dot the landscape. There is no road to Slope Point, and it can be reached by a 20-minute walk following dilapidated yellow markers. The walk is worth it, as the views from the cliffs are breathtaking. Visitors can see the vast expanse of the ocean and the rugged coastline, and the scenery is especially stunning during sunrise and sunset.

A nearby locality, Haldane, was named after the original European settlers, the Haldane family. An AA signpost at Slope Point shows the distance to the Equator and the South Pole, and a small solar-powered lighthouse stands on farmland. However, there is no public access during the lambing season (September – November). Visitors can spend 45 minutes or less at Slope Point, but it would have been easy to enjoy the view for 1-2 hours. The place is a beautiful spot to explore, with green pastureland stretching toward the horizon, leading to the rocky cliffs that plunge into the water below. It is a unique and remote destination that offers a glimpse of New Zealand's rugged and wild beauty.