Discover the Legacy of Douglas Mawson at Antarctica’s Mawson’s Hut

With an impressive ability to raise funds, alongside a desire to advance scientific knowledge, Mawson got the go-ahead for an Australian-led Antarctic research expedition. The 1911-1914 trip gained Mawson recognition, though it came at an enormous price.

Setting sail from Hobart in 1911 aboard the Aurora, a wooden vessel procured for the expedition, Mawson led Australia’s maiden large-scale scientific foray into Antarctica. Despite high expectations, the journey ended in tragedy, with Mawson emerging as one of the few survivors. Nevertheless, the expedition is still considered one of the most successful scientific Antarctic expeditions, as it lay the groundwork for Australia’s territorial claims.

The Australasian Antarctic Expedition’s tragedy occurred in 1912, when Douglas Mawson, Belgrave Ninnis, and Xavier Mertz set off with a team of sledge dogs to explore the region. Close to 500 kilometres from their Cape Denison base, an unexpected crevasse swallowed Ninnis, six of the strongest dogs, most of the food, and the tour tent. Mertz’s demise from consuming toxic dog liver further compounded Mawson’s harrowing ordeal, culminating in his solitary return to base only to witness the relief ship departing, stranding him for an additional year in Antarctica’s treacherous conditions.

Upon his return to Hobart in 1914, Mawson’s tale of survival eclipsed the expedition’s scientific gains in public perception. His indomitable spirit amid adversity earned him acclaim and a knighthood, solidifying his status as a legendary Antarctic figure.