Slope Point near the southwest end of the Catlins is the southernmost point of the South Island. It faces due south, and its main features are its rugged cliffs and the distinctive trees immediately northeast of the car park, which are bent sideways by decades of strong southerly winds. The surrounding land is mainly pastoral farming, with no houses nearby.
The point has an AA signpost indicating the distances to the Equator (5,140 km) and the South Pole (4,803 km). There is also a small solar-powered lighthouse nearby on farmland. From the car park on the road, it is a 20-minute walk through farmland to the point. It is completely exposed on a cold, windy day, which will be an adventure for some. Note that the path is closed from September to November due to lambing.
To get to Slope Point, take either gravel Haldane Curio Bay Road west from Curio Bay for 9.1 km, then turn south into gravel Slope Point Road. Follow this for 5.4 km to the Slope Point car park.
Slope Point is 70 km east of Invercargill via the Southern Scenic Route and gravel Tokanui Haldane Road (70 minutes drive time) or 82 km (80 minutes drive time) from Owaka.
From Slope Point, you can backtrack on Slope Point Road, head west on Tokanui Haldane Road for 1.5 km, and then take the mostly sealed Otara Haldane Road southwest to Waipapa Otara Road. From there, head south to Waipapa Point.
