A Place Shaped by Antarctic Winds
At the southernmost tip of New Zealand’s South Island lies Slope Point, a remote, windswept headland where nature visibly bends to the will of the weather.
Positioned atop rugged cliffs that plunge into the sea, this spot endures relentless Antarctic winds that have sculpted its landscape in remarkable ways. Visitors who reach the area encounter a scene both stark and captivating—where the natural world is shaped not by human hands but by the raw force of climate.
The Trees That Grow Sideways
Perhaps the most striking feature of Slope Point is its grove of warped trees, permanently twisted by years of unyielding wind. Rather than growing upward, these trees stretch horizontally, their trunks and branches swept to the side as though frozen in the middle of a powerful gust.
Sheep farmers originally planted them as a shelter belt for their livestock, but the trees soon lost the battle against the brutal conditions. Today, they stand bent northward, a physical record of the southern ocean’s fury.
Uninterrupted Gales from the Antarctic
Slope Point is directly exposed to the Antarctic Ocean, where cold air can travel thousands of kilometers without encountering any landmass. This uninterrupted path allows winds to build tremendous speed and strength before crashing against New Zealand’s coast.
At Slope Point, these winds are funneled and intensified by the cliffside topography, making the area one of the windiest in the country. The trees, planted as protection, became the first barrier the wind met—and the force proved too much for them to remain upright.
A Signpost at the Edge of the World
Despite the inhospitable weather, Slope Point offers a dramatic and picturesque landscape. Rolling green pastures lead to jagged cliffs and a panoramic view of the sea. The area is uninhabited, aside from grazing sheep, and can only be reached on foot.
Those who visit will find a distinct yellow sign pointing out the distances to both the Equator and the South Pole, marking Slope Point’s geographic extremes. This sign has become a modest landmark, guiding travelers to the very end of the South Island.
At New Zealand’s southernmost point, Slope Point, relentless Antarctic winds sculpt the land.
Perched on cliffs above the sea, this isolated spot is shaped entirely by nature’s force.
Visitors are greeted by a dramatic, windswept landscape shaped over time…🧵👇 pic.twitter.com/PcF5R0859A
— Detective Tiger's Stories (@TigerDetective) July 9, 2025