24 Jan 2017

SHOKALSKIY: Macquarie Island Steeped in Mawson's History

SHOKALSKIY - In the Wake of Mawson

Our expedition vessel, Akademik Shokalskiy is currently enroute to East Antarctica. This voyage is tracing the historic route of legendary Australian polar explorer, Sir Douglas Mawson to his base at Cape Dennison at Commonwealth Bay.  

The current expedition spent time at Macquarie Island base yesterday and have now set their sights further South on the continent.  We are always greeted warmly by the staff of the Australian Antarctic Division (AAD) at the island fondly known as 'Macca', including a hike to a lookout point, a tour of their home-away-from-home, and even tea and scones!

Macquarie Island was utilised by Mawson's expedition in 1911 as a stepping stone and relay post for radio messages from Antarctica to Hobart in Tasmania.  The 100 metre high hill just north of the current AAD station on the isthmus is named 'Wireless Hill'.

©Heritage Expeditions Macquarie Island (from file)