Douglas Mawson's scientific exploration of Antarctica

The Australasian Antarctic Expedition (1911 to 1914) was the first Australian-led expedition to Antarctica.

The Australasian Antarctic Expedition (1911 to 1914) was the first Australian-led expedition to Antarctica. A research expedition, it was led by Australian geologist Sir Douglas Mawson.

Mawson recruited a team of scientists from Australia and New Zealand for the expedition. In 1911, the men sailed for Antarctica on board the SY Aurora.

The expedition:

  • set up 3 bases (Main Base, Western Base and a base at Macquarie Island)
  • established the first radio communications in Antarctica
  • carried out important scientific investigations in magnetism, geology, biology and meteorology
  • discovered and named new geographical areas.

The scientific data gathered during this expedition is still valuable today.

Curriculum areas

  • Year 6 History

Questions

  • What personal qualities would Mawson have needed to endure the conditions he experienced?
  • In what ways was the work of the Australasian Antarctic Expedition significant for Australia at the time? What evidence did you use to support your response?
  • What do you think is the legacy of Mawson's expeditions to the Antarctic?

Records

Record

SY Aurora on the edge of the Shackleton ice shelf, Antarctica.

SY Aurora on the edge of the Shackleton ice shelf, Antarctica

This image shows the SY Aurora, a ship owned by the Australasian Antarctic Expedition, anchored at the Shackleton Ice Shelf in eastern Antarctica.

Record

Radio masts at Main Base, Cape Denison.

Radio masts at Main Base, Cape Denison, Antarctica

This is a black-and-white photograph of radio masts at the Main Base, Cape Denison, Antarctica from the Australasian Antarctic Expedition from 1911-14.

Record

Letter from Professor Edgeworth David to Prime Minister Cook urging further funds to complete the Mawson expedition.

Request for further funds for the Australasian Antarctic Expedition – letter to Prime Minister Joseph Cook

This is a letter from Professor Edgeworth David to Prime Minister Cook, urging further funds to complete the Mawson expedition.

Record

Telegram, Casey to Mawson.

Naming of Mawson station

A telegram sent in 1954 from Minister for External Affairs, Richard Casey to Sir Douglas Mawson. It reveals plans to name a new station in Antarctica 'Mawson'.

Record

Radio telegram from Douglas Mawson to Professor Edgeworth David.

Douglas Mawson describing his ordeal in Antarctica – Radio telegram to Professor Edgeworth David

This radio telegram was written in 1913 by Douglas Mawson, leader of the Australasian Antarctic Expedition.

Record

Black-and-white photograph of Douglas Mawson with the rescue party returning to Australia.

Douglas Mawson returning to Australia with rescue party and members of Macquarie Island Base

This is a black-and-white photograph of Douglas Mawson taken in 1914, with the rescue party returning to Australia.

Resources

Resource

Adélie penguins at Cape Denison.

About Antarctica (Australian Antarctic Division)

Resource

Men standing around a red tractor in the snow.

Mawson's Expedition to the Antarctic (National Film and Sound Archive)

Resource

Black-and-white photograph of Douglas Mawson with the rescue party returning to Australia.

Mawson in the Antarctic (National Museum of Australia)

Resource

Radio masts at Main Base, Cape Denison.

Australian Antarctic Territory (Geoscience Australia)

Resource

British Australian New Zealand Antarctic Expedition (BANZARE) 1929–1931

Sir Douglas Mawson (Australian Dictionary of Biography)

Resource

SY Aurora on the edge of the Shackleton ice shelf, Antarctica.

Sir Douglas Mawson OBE (Australian Museum)

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