TRAVEL TO YOUR ANTIPODE

Travel to your antipode

If you dig a hole through the earth to the other side, where would you come up? Updated May 2023.

When I was young, I remember children being told that if you dug a hole through the earth, you would come up in China on the other side.   Although this sounds good in theory, it is not correct.

So, where would you come up if you did tunnel through the planet?   It depends on where you start.  As most of the earth is covered by water, you would likely come up in the middle of an ocean.

The place where you will come up on the opposite side of the planet is called your antipode.

If you are in the northern hemisphere, your antipode will be south.  It will be in the east if you are in the western hemisphere.

Where is your antipode?

If you start in Ottawa, Canada, you will come up in the southern Indian Ocean, south-west of Australia.

If you start in London, England, you will come up right on the International Date Line, off the coast of New Zealand.

Unfortunately, most antipodes are in the ocean.  However, if you started in Shellbrook, Saskatchewan, Canada, you would be fortunate and come up in the Heard and McDonald Islands, off the west coast of Australia.

Most places in Australia have their antipode in the North Atlantic Ocean.

If you want to come up in China, you should start in Chile or Argentina.

Here are some other examples (to the closest city):

How to find your antipode

There is a mathematical formula to find your antipode.  However, luckily for you, there is a website that will do the math for you.  This website will show you two maps. 

• The map on the left shows your location
• The map on the right will show your antipode
• Zoom in on the map on the left but do not click on it
• Type your location in the search box above
• Click Find

Antipode map