Mawson’s Antarctica | Douglas Mawson | IExpedition

Mawson’s Antarctica

  • Overview

    Retrace the historic voyage of Sir Douglas Mawson’s Australasian Antarctic Expedition (AAE) and experience the grandeur of remote East Antarctica. Cross the Antarctic Circle and cruise the pack ice, skirting majestic ice cliffs and marvelling at beautifully sculpted icebergs. Keep watch for emperor and Adélie penguins porpoising along the ice edge, orcas patrolling for prey, and snow petrels soaring against a backdrop of the vast Antarctic Ice Sheet.

    Continue towards Commonwealth Bay and the fabled Cape Denison. Conditions permitting, make landfall to explore what remains of Mawson’s main base, and find yourself transported back to the Heroic Age of Antarctic Exploration. Then onwards to Dunedin, with a pause to enjoy the ruggedly beautiful New Zealand subantarctic islands, where nesting royal albatross, the endemic yellow-eyed penguin (hoiho), and lush megaherb meadows await.

    Expedition Highlights

    • Navigate through gleaming pack ice alive with Weddell and leopard seals, Adélie and emperor penguins and whales feeding in fathomless leads.

    • Discover the historic Commonwealth Bay as we attempt to make a rare and much-coveted landing at Cape Denison, the site of Mawson’s huts.

    • Skirt rowdy beaches crowded with harems of New Zealand (Hooker’s) sea lions to reach gnarled rātā forests where rare yellow-eyed penguins can be found.

    Duration: 24 days
    Passengers: 154 passengers
    Embarkation Point: Hobart, Australia
    Disembarkation Point: Dunedin, New Zealand
    Physical rating: Expedition
    Fly/Cruise: Cruise only
    Single Supplement: 2.0x twin rate or share options
  • Itinerary
    • Day 1 - Arrive Hobart

      Arrive in Hobart, where you will be met by a representative of Aurora Expeditions and transferred with your fellow expeditioners to your assigned pre-voyage hotel. If you are already in Hobart, we ask you to make your way to your hotel. This afternoon, visit the Aurora Expeditions hospitality desk in the lobby to collect your luggage tags. Please clearly label the tags with your name and ship cabin number. Our team will confirm details regarding your embarkation day, answer any questions and provide you with information on where to dine or purchase last minute items.

      That evening, enjoy light refreshments as you meet your fellow expeditioners at a Welcome Reception and Pre-Embarkation Briefing. Afterwards, enjoy your evening in Australia’s southernmost capital city. You may like to indulge in a sumptuous meal at one of Hobart’s celebrated restaurants, or perhaps enjoy a leisurely stroll along the historic waterfront.

      Assigned accommodation: To be advised

    • Day 2 - Embarkation

      This morning, enjoy breakfast and check-out. Please ensure your cabin luggage is fitted with cabin tags clearly labelled with your name and cabin number. By 11.00 am, take your cabin luggage to hotel reception, prior to, or at check-out. Your luggage will be stored and transferred directly to the port for clearance, to be placed in your cabin ahead of your arrival on board. Please keep any valuables or personal items with you throughout the day.

      Your morning is at leisure to explore Hobart.

      Settle into your beautifully appointed cabin and discover the many public spaces designed with your comfort in mind. This luxurious vessel is yours to explore! As we throw the lines and set sail down the Derwent River, join your expedition team on deck to enjoy panoramic views of the Hobart foreshore, and the dramatic fluted columns of the Tasman Peninsula. From Storm Bay we set a southerly course, following in the wake of the vessel Aurora, which carried Sir Douglas Mawson’s Australasian Antarctic Expedition (AAE) 100 years ago.

    • Day 3/4 - At Sea

      On an expedition such as this, the journey is as significant as the destination. Sea days are a wonderful opportunity to relax, meet your fellow travellers and learn about the history, environment and local wildlife in this fascinating corner of the globe.

      As you acclimatise to life on board, your expedition team is available to answer any questions you may have and offer pro-tips on photography and birdwatching. With decades of collective experience in the region, they love to share their expertise and enthusiasm with fellow travellers. Specialists across a range of fields will offer entertaining talks and presentations on the local wildlife and history, which you won’t want to miss!

      Once you’ve settled in, you may like to pamper yourself with a sauna, or work out at the onboard gym. For the bookworms, our well-equipped polar library is the perfect place to while away the hours at sea, and the bar is a vibrant social hub to get to know your fellow expeditioners.

      As you take in the vast expanse of the Southern Ocean, spare a thought for Mawson and his party, who made this transit aboard the Aurora, a wooden vessel no longer than an Olympic swimming pool! Mawson reported sightings of many whales and albatross in these waters, so spend some time out on deck with your binoculars - or grab a ‘cuppa’ and find a vantage point in one of our spacious observation lounges.

    • Day 6/7 - Macquarie Island

      “Penguins were in thousands on the uprising cliffs, and from rookeries near and far came an incessant din . . . seabirds of many varieties gave warning of our near approach to their nests” Douglas Mawson, 1911.

      As they sailed towards Antarctica, Mawson and his men encountered ‘an exquisite scene’. Macquarie Island (known affectionately as Macca) rises steeply from the Southern Ocean in a series of emerald summits: a beautifully fierce, elemental landscape teeming with life.

      Keep your binoculars handy because this subantarctic refuge is home to 3.5 million breeding seabirds, including no less than four species of penguin! Alongside boisterous colonies of tuxedoed kings, charming gentoos, robust rockhoppers and endemic royal penguins, you’ll find three types of fur seals and a large proportion of the world’s elephant seals. Layer up and head out on deck to experience the sound, sight (and smell!) as you approach one of the largest concentrations of life in the Southern Ocean.

      Remember to keep an eye out for Macca’s kelp forests—these remarkable underwater ecosystems are quite mesmerising as their fronds sway back and forth on the water’s surface.

      In addition to being a globally recognised and protected wildlife refuge, Macquarie Island played an important role in Antarctic history. It was here, in 1911, that five men disembarked Mawson’s Aurora and established a radio relay station which would transmit the first communication from Antarctica to the outside world.

    • Day 8/10 - At Sea

      As Macquarie Island slips over the horizon, keep watch for wandering, grey-headed, black-browed and light-mantled albatross, which may follow the ship to bid you farewell as you continue south.

      Close observers may notice a subtle change in the character of the sea as you cross the Antarctic Convergence. Beyond this zone where the waters of the north and south mix, the sea surface temperature drops by about 4°C (39°F), signalling your entry into the Antarctic. Mawson reported spotting ‘innumerable’ birds in these waters, so keep watch for porpoising penguins, flocks of fluttering Antarctic petrels, or perhaps the more solitary snow petrel. You’re not far from the Antarctic Circle, so your first iceberg can’t be far away!

      Sea days are a great opportunity for some R & R as you digest your subantarctic experiences and prepare for the next phase of your voyage. Relax and unwind your way, perhaps meeting newfound friends at the bar, treating yourself to a sauna, or editing some images in the comfort of your cabin.

      As we continue along the path taken by the Aurora in 1911, join your expedition team in the lecture room for presentations about Antarctic ice, wildlife, and of course the remarkable story of the Australasian Antarctic Expedition. Led by Australian geologist and explorer Sir Douglas Mawson, the expedition successfully charted vast swathes of previously explored Antarctic coastline, and over 6000 kilometres of the interior. Despite its tremendous contribution to the advancement of Antarctic science, the expedition is perhaps best known for its nail-biting tales of triumph and tragedy. Hear the story of the extraordinary sledge journey undertaken by Mawson, Ninnis and Mertz, and rediscover why this remains one of the most incredible polar survival stories of all time.

    • Day 11/13 - East Antarctic Coast

      ‘The tranquility of the water heightened the superb effects of this glacial world. Majestic tabular bergs, lofty spires, radiant turrets . . . illumined by pale green light within whose fairy labyrinths the water washed’. Douglas Mawson

      When Captain John King Davis skillfully steered the Aurora through heavy pack ice in 1912, the Australasian Antarctic Expedition became the first to chart this stretch of coastline. As you sail into these waters over a century later, you are entering one of the most inaccessible and seldom-visited parts of Antarctica.

      Find a spot on deck as the Captain navigates carefully through glittering fields of frozen ocean, or rug up for a Zodiac cruise through the pack, keeping watch for elegant emperor penguins, sweet-faced Weddell seals resting on ice, and the unmistakable ‘pouf’ of an orca’s exhalation. Embrace the spirit of exploration as your expedition team designs your voyage from day to day, bringing decades of experience to selecting the ideal sites based on the prevailing weather, ice conditions and wildlife opportunities.

    • Day 14/15 - Commonwealth Bay

      “Seals and penguins on magic gondolas were the silent denizens of this dreamy Venice. In the soft glamour of the midsummer midnight sun, we were possessed by a rapturous wonder—the rare thrill of unreality.” Douglas Mawson

      For many expeditioners, approaching Commonwealth Bay evokes a profound sense of awe and humility. This is where Mawson and his men established their Main Base, on the shores of a ‘beautiful, miniature harbour’ at the foot of the Antarctic Ice Sheet. Imagine their dismay when they realised that their ice-free oasis lay directly in the path of fierce katabatic winds, which rushed like rapids off the Polar Plateau! Despite its unfortunate position, Main Base housed eighteen expedition members for up to two years in this bay Mawson dubbed the ‘Home of the Blizzard’.

      Katabatic winds and ice permitting, we will make landfall on the storied shores of Cape Denison, where several of the huts of Mawson’s Main Base still stand. The Magnetograph House and the Main Hut, where the men lived and worked, remain largely intact despite over a century of exposure to the elements. Bleached pine cladding bears witness to the passage of time, and ice drifts partially fill the huts, the past literally frozen in time. Scientific instruments and scattered personal items provide an intimate glance into the austere daily lives of Mawson and his men.

      In addition to being the site of Mawson’s huts, Cape Denison provides a rare ice-free refuge for Antarctic wildlife, including nesting Adélie penguins, snow petrels and Wilson’s storm petrels. Weddell, elephant and leopard seals regularly haul out to rest on the rocky shores. You may like to wander along pebbly beaches, or perhaps ramble up a snow-covered ridge to a vantage point over this spectacularly monochrome landscape.

      Before leaving East Antarctica our Captain will attempt to manoeuvre us into position over the South Magnetic Pole. Spare a thought for Mawson who, accompanied by fellow Australian geologist T.W Edgeworth David and Scottish doctor Alistair Mackay, undertook a gruelling three month march to become the first to stand in the vicinity of the South Magnetic Pole in January 1909. Conveniently for us, the Pole has since migrated out to sea, so we can celebrate its attainment with a glass of bubbly in the comfort of the ship’s bar!

    • Day 16/19 - At Sea

      We leave the grandeur of the ice to the seals and penguins and head northwards, but our voyage is far from over. In the days ahead there is plenty of time to enjoy the magic of the Southern Ocean and the life that calls it home. You won’t want to miss presentations from your onboard specialists about the wonderful wildlife and rich human history of Macquarie Island.

      These days at sea also offer time and space to reflect on the emotions and special moments you’ve lived over the past few weeks. You may like to take a moment of quiet contemplation or reminisce with your fellow travellers over a cuppa (or other beverage of choice!)

      As you approach Macquarie Island keep watch for graceful grey-headed, black-browed and light-mantled albatross, which may venture from their nests to welcome their human visitors.

    • Day 20/22 - New Zealand’s Subantarctic Islands

      Scattered across the Southern Ocean 465 kilometers (300 miles) south of New Zealand, these islands have been visited by Polynesian and Māori navigators for centuries, and are of great cultural and spiritual significance to Ngāi Tahu, the indigenous peoples of New Zealand’s South Island. Here you have the opportunity to witness a finely tuned subantarctic ecosystem populated by unique endemic species such as the yellow-eyed penguin (hoiho) and Campbell mollymawk.

    • Day 23 - At Sea

      As your journey draws to a close, take some time to reflect on the experiences of the past few weeks. Perhaps take some time to organise your photos, jot some more notes in your journal or simply relax and soak up the ambiance on board as you farewell your travel mates . . . until next time!

      We hope you become ambassadors for Antarctica and tell your family, friends and colleagues about your journey to this magical place, advocating for its conservation and preservation so that they might one day visit the region to experience what you have been lucky to see and do here.

    • Day 24 - Disembark Dunedin

      After breakfast, farewell your expedition team and fellow passengers as we all continue our onward journeys, hopefully with a newfound sense of the immense power of nature.

      Note: At the conclusion of the voyage, we do not recommend booking flights departing prior to 12.00 pm on the day of disembarkation in case there are delays.

    Please consider that our voyages are expeditionary in nature. This means, that there are no concrete itineraries, your Captain and Expedition Leader will utilise their vast experience to chart the best course for your expedition depending on the climatic and environmental conditions. Mentioned highlights and wildlife cannot be guaranteed.

  • Adventure Activities

    Sea Kayaking

    Sea kayaking holidays in the humbling wilderness of Antarctica, the Arctic, and some of the world’s most biodiverse regions, are guaranteed to stir your soul. Paddle between brash ice and icebergs of all shapes and sizes, absorbing the majestic scenery as it unfolds before you. In Antarctica, keep your camera on-hand for unforgettable encounters with penguins, seals and whales, and occasionally leopard seals or orcas. In the Arctic, prepare to paddle under nesting bird colonies, past massive glaciers and around large iceberg. Led by experienced guides, you and your small group of like-minded adventurers will paddle between ice floes, brash ice and icebergs of all shapes and sizes. Paddling is one of the best ways to access and intimately explore the beautiful coastlines we visit and therefore make the most of your time in the wild and remote destinations we visit.

    USD$ 1,330 per person
  • Inclusions
    Inclusions / Exclusions

    Included in your Expedition

    - All airport transfers mentioned in the itinerary
    - Onboard accommodation during voyage, including daily cabin service.
    - All meals, snacks, tea and coffee during voyage.
    - Beer, house wine and soft drinks with dinner.
    - Captain’s Farewell reception including four-course dinner, house cocktails, house beer and wine, non-alcoholic beverages.
    - All shore excursions and Zodiac cruises.
    - Educational lectures and guiding services provided by Expedition Team.
    - Complimentary access to onboard expedition doctor and medical clinic (initial consultation).
    - One 3-in-1 waterproof, polar expedition jacket.
    - Complimentary use of Muck Boots during the voyage.
    - Comprehensive pre-departure information.
    - Port surcharges, permits and landing fees.
    - One night’s hotel accommodation including breakfast, in Hobart on Day 1.

    Not included in your Expedition

    - All items of a personal nature, including but not limited to alcoholic beverages and soft drinks (outside of dinner service), laundry services, personal clothing, medical expenses, wi-fi, email or phone charges.
    - Optional excursions and optional activity surcharges.
    - Hotel accommodation and meals – unless specified in the itinerary.
    - Travel insurance or emergency evacuation charges.
    - Passport, visa, reciprocity and vaccination fees and charges.
    - Airport arrival or departure taxes.
    - Transfers – unless specified in the itinerary.
    - International or domestic flights – unless specified in the itinerary
  • Map
    1712557605068 mawsons antarctica maw009d
  • Gallery
  • Vessel

    Named after the legendary Australian geologist and explorer, the new small ship embodies Mawson’s pioneering spirit and is designed for global discovery. Featuring the revolutionary Ulstein X-BOW® and purpose-built with enhanced sustainability features, it takes on average 154 adventurers to the world’s wildest places in smooth, quiet comfort. It boasts the most extensive range of cabins yet, including a range of single cabins.
     

    Features & Facilities
    • Highly qualified and experienced expedition team and international crew.
    • The Douglas Mawson is at the cutting edge of nautical technology: robust and powerful - the ultimate base camp for off-ship adventures.
    • The latest Ulstein X-BOW® hull allows the ship to pierce through waves to maintain speed of travel thus offering faster, more comfortable travel, lower fuel consumption and reduced emissions.
    • All cabins feature twin or king bedding, with single cabins featuring single bed configuration and private bathrooms. 79% of cabins include a private balcony. Over 58 interconnecting Balcony Staterooms. Two cabins can accommodate a third person (triple and single share on request).
    • Observation lounge and viewing platforms offer spectacular panoramic views of scenery and wildlife.
    • Purpose-built activity preparation areas including two Zodiac embarkation areas for fast and safe transition off the ship as you embark on multiple daily excursions.
    • State-of-the-art lecture theatre, Citizen Science Centre and library. In between landings, enjoy our jacuzzis and pool or experience our gym & sauna.
    • With huge windows and superb views to the front of the ship, the library or the atrium lounge is the perfect place to sit with a drink and watch for wildlife or admire impressive scenery.
    • Starlink Wi-Fi - Free
    Key Facts
    Luxury star rating:
    Guests #: 154
    Crew #: 23
    Ice Class: A1 Ice Class
    Speed: 12
    Refurbished:
    Technical Specs
    Year built: 2025
    Length: 104m
    Width: 18
    Draft: 5
    Tonnage: 8500
    Registry: Madeira, Portugal
    Elec Outlets:
Check Voyage Dates, Pricing and Availability
All available dates
Ready to book your expedition?

We understand that the trip of a lifetime takes planning, so we make the financial commitments easy to manage.

  • Confirm your booking today with just USD$ 1,000 per passenger.
  • Pay your 25% deposit 5 day later.
  • Final payment due 120 days prior to departure.
aurora stateroom triple douglas mawson

Aurora Stateroom Triple

11 Dec 2025 - 03 Jan 2026
• Private en-suite • Porthole window • Closet space • Room-controlled thermostat • Room safe • 42" flat-screen TV • Mini bar
USD$ 30,595pp
USD$ 26,006pp
aurora stateroom twin douglas mawson

Aurora Stateroom Twin

11 Dec 2025 - 03 Jan 2026
• Private en-suite • Porthole window • Closet space • Desk area • Room-controlled thermostat • Room safe • 42" flat-screen TV • Mini bar
USD$ 31,495pp
USD$ 26,771pp
aurora stateroom superior douglas mawson

Aurora Stateroom Superior

11 Dec 2025 - 03 Jan 2026
• Private en-suite • French balcony • Closet space • Desk area • Room-controlled thermostat • Room safe • 42" flat-screen TV • Mini bar
USD$ 33,295pp
USD$ 28,301pp
balcony stateroom category c douglas mawson

Balcony Stateroom Category C

11 Dec 2025 - 03 Jan 2026
• Private en-suite • Full size window • Private balcony • Closet space • Desk area • Room-controlled thermostat • Room safe • 42" flat-screen TV • Mini bar
USD$ 34,195pp
USD$ 29,066pp
balcony stateroom category b douglas mawson

Balcony Stateroom Category B

11 Dec 2025 - 03 Jan 2026
• Private en-suite • Full size window • Private balcony • Closet space • Desk area • Room-controlled thermostat • Room safe • 42" flat-screen TV • Mini bar
USD$ 35,995pp
USD$ 30,596pp
aurora stateroom single douglas mawson

Aurora Stateroom Single

11 Dec 2025 - 03 Jan 2026
• Private en-suite • Porthole window • Closet space • Room-controlled thermostat • Room safe • 42" flat-screen TV • Mini bar
USD$ 36,895pp
USD$ 31,361pp
balcony stateroom category a douglas mawson

Balcony Stateroom Category A

11 Dec 2025 - 03 Jan 2026
• Private en-suite • Full size window • Private balcony • Closet space • Desk area • Room-controlled thermostat • Room safe • 42" flat-screen TV • Mini bar
USD$ 38,695pp
USD$ 32,891pp
aurora stateroom superior single douglas mawson

Aurora Stateroom Superior Single

11 Dec 2025 - 03 Jan 2026
• Private en-suite • Porthole window • Closet space • Room-controlled thermostat • Room safe • 42" flat-screen TV • Mini bar
USD$ 40,495pp
USD$ 34,421pp
balcony stateroom superior douglas mawson

Balcony Stateroom Superior

11 Dec 2025 - 03 Jan 2026
• Private en-suite (wheelchair accessible) • Full size window • Private balcony • Closet space • Desk area • Room-controlled thermostat • Room safe • 42" flat-screen TV • Mini bar
USD$ 42,295pp
USD$ 35,951pp
junior suite douglas mawson

Junior Suite

11 Dec 2025 - 03 Jan 2026
• Private en-suite • Full size window • Private balcony • Closet space • Separate lounge area • Desk area • Room-controlled thermostat • Room safe • 42" flat-screen TV • Mini bar
USD$ 53,095pp
USD$ 45,131pp
captain’s suite douglas mawson

Captain’s Suite

11 Dec 2025 - 03 Jan 2026
• Private en-suite • Full size window • Private balcony • Closet space • Separate lounge area • Desk area • Room-controlled thermostat • Room safe • 42" flat-screen TV • Mini bar
USD$ 62,995pp
USD$ 53,546pp