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
Starlink for Scott Base – but no phones during dinner!
New Zealand’s remotest outpost is now just a video call away with Antarctica New Zealand installing Starlink at Scott Base to improve connectivity. The aim is to give scientists access to modern digital software tools while they … Read More
New turbines for the windiest continent
Ross Island, Antarctica is set to receive three new state-of-the-art wind turbines that will power the future Scott Base with more than 90% renewable energy. Three EWT turbines (type DW54X-1MW) have been selected to replace the t… Read More
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