Scott Base
Scott Base, New Zealand's only Antarctic research station, perches on a low volcanic headland called Pram Point at the southern end of Ross Island. It is 3800km south of Christchurch and 1350km from the South Pole. Mt Erebus, an active volcano, sits north-east and to the west, across McMurdo Sound, is the Royal Society Range. Here, lies the boundary between the Ross Ice Shelf and the sea ice that forms every winter. From October to February, Scott Base is a bustling hub of scientists, staff and visitors. Up to 86 people can be accommodated at any one time; during the summer season, more than 300 people stay on base.
Tour of Scott Base
Location of Scott Base
- Pram Point, Hut Point Peninsula, Ross
- Island in McMurdo Sound
- 77° 51' S, v 166° 46' E
- 10 m above sea level
Scott Base News
Antarctic voyage to echo history
The countdown is on! The specialist ship that will deliver the new Scott Base research station to Antarctica has been booked for January 2027 – exactly 70 years after the original base opened in 1957. Antarctica New Zealand and L… Read More
Join us at Scott Base. We're hiring!
Now’s the chance to join the stellar team that supports Antarctic research at Scott Base and in the field for the 2023/24 season. We are seeking a team of about 40 – from engineers and mechanics, to cleaners and chefs – to keep N… Read More
Penguin flies high on TikTok
A social media post of a penguin stopping traffic at Scott Base has gone viral, with more than five and a half million views in two days! International media have already been in touch wanting to use the intriguing imagery. Matth… Read More