THE ANTARCTIC AT JERVIS BAY MARITIME MUSEUM & GALLERY

Step into the frozen frontier and discover the extraordinary stories of the Heroic Age of Antarctic Exploration.

In the early 1900s, Australia’s connection with Antarctica began when explorers such as Douglas Mawson led ambitious scientific expeditions south. His Australasian Antarctic Expedition (1911 – 1914) helped map some of the last unknown regions on Earth, contributing vital research that continues to inform scientists today. Working with small, determined teams in extreme conditions, these explorers reshaped our understanding of the Antarctic continent.

This small exhibition highlights Mawson’s remarkable journey while also sharing the powerful stories of expeditions led by Robert Falcon Scott and Ernest Shackleton. Though their goals varied — from scientific discovery to reaching the South Pole — all were united by curiosity, resilience, and a willingness to face extraordinary risk. Their expeditions were marked by hardship, survival against the odds, and, at times, profound loss, yet their legacy endures in the scientific data and geographic knowledge they left behind. Brought vividly to life through the iconic photography of Herbert Ponting and Frank Hurley, the exhibition captures both the stark beauty of Antarctica and the indomitable human spirit of those who ventured into its icy wilderness.

On now until 13th September 2026