The Australian Antarctic Festival 2026 Program

The Mobile Antarctic Classroom is touring Tasmania ahead of the Australian Antarctic Festival on 22-25 August.

Whether you’re in kindergarten or retired, we’ve got something for you!

• Play with magnets, pretend penguin eggs, and polarising filters
• Look at replica and genuine Antarctic artefacts
• Take a photo in our snow tent
• Chat to our staff about your Antarctic history and science questions.

Festival Tour Locations

Click on the “learn more” button to discover more about the Mobile Antarctic Classroom AAF Tour locations, dates and how to book.

Contact us via email: info@antarcticfestival.com.au

Come and see where Sir Douglas Mawson met his expedition members at Hadley’s Orient Hotel in Hobart before he set sail on the Australasian Antarctic Expedition (1911-1914). Imagine stepping back in time and witnessing this important gathering.

While in this space at Hadley’s, use your smartphone or tablet to scan the QR code to listen to a new audio story about the expedition members’ lunch and Mawson’s Antarctic achievements. You can bring your headphones or borrow some for free from Reception at Hadley’s. Like a radio drama, the audio experience brings the story to life, with narration by actor Ben Winspear and custom soundscapes by Tasmanian musicians Emily Sheppard and Yyan Ng.

Almost 200 schools were each sent 50 cut-out Adélie penguins to paint and return to the festival. These penguins are not just waddling back to our ‘rookery’ – they are so excited they are rushing back. Come and see the results of the extraordinary colour and creativity of the ‘Penguin Rookeries’ displays. We are hoping to receive more than 10,000 Adélie penguin cut-outs hand-painted by school children from all over Australia and overseas. This year we have sent penguins to gateway cities of Antarctica. Try and find the penguins from Punta Arenas, Ushuaia and Christchurch.

Beaker Street proudly presents its 8th annual Science Photography Prize.

The competition invites all Tasmanians to capture the wonders of our extraordinary part of the world — teeming with science and scientists. This exhibition of finalist images, half chosen by competition judge Cam Blake and half by popular vote, features incredible local photography, showcasing diverse content, themes, and styles.

Visitors will have the chance to vote for their favourite photo to become the People’s Choice Winner.

FEATURE PHOTO CREDIT: Cameron Blake Photography

Threatened Species and Ecosystems in Tasmania and Beyond

Human activities and a changing climate are putting species and ecosystems under pressure.

In Antarctica, marine predators are on thin ice. In Tasmania, many marine species and habitats are found nowhere else on earth. Many species have nowhere else to go.

Come and discover the efforts to protect and restore threatened marine species and ecosystems in Tasmania and beyond…

FEATURE PHOTO CREDIT: Scott Ling

Islands to Ice: The Great Southern Ocean and Antarctica

The journey to Antarctica begins here. Voyage south across wild oceans, venture through windswept island worlds and dive into stories behind the icy expanse of the great southern wilderness in a reimagined ’Islands to Ice exhibition.

Islands to Ice brings the astonishing wonders of the Southern Ocean and Antarctic region to the shores of Tasmania. From the animals that inhabit these special environments to the hidden stories of the people who work and play on the frozen continent, explore this unique and captivating world right here in Hobart.

Exhibition Highlights:

• Nine-metre sperm whale skull on display for the first time.
• Interactive elements including refashioned ‘Ice Map’.
• Sky Country Theatre: An immersive audio-visual experience for contemporary Pakana story telling around ancient skyscapes and Sky Country stories.
• Objects, specimens and research exploring the science, history and future of the icy continent.

Located on Level 2 in the Argyle Galleries.

FEATURE IMAGE CREDIT: ©Benjamin Wallis (King penguin); ©Russell Hopcroft (Cranchid squid larva and Krill – Euphausia superba)

Through Our Eyes: A Woman’s Place is in Antarctica

The exhibition ‘Through Our Eyes’ brings the southernmost continent, commonly understood as far away and isolated, closer to a large audience through an imaginative multi-media installation focussed on women and their personal and professional relationship with Antarctica.

This event shines the light on the unique perspectives and contributions offered by women who work in Antarctica and the Antarctic and Southern Ocean sectors. ‘Through Our Eyes’ invites the audience to experience women’s Antarctic landscapes in a way that simply says ‘A Woman’s Place is in Antarctica’.

Antarctica and the Southern Ocean is an art exhibition celebrating the important connection of the icy continent to Hobart.

Since the early days of Antarctic exploration, the big red ships have departed from Hobart tackling the mighty seas of the Southern Ocean for their journeys of scientific research. With global warming, this research is more important than ever. Many artists and photographers have also recorded and interpreted this last frontier.

Artists throughout Tasmania have been invited to be part of this exhibition which crosses all mediums and genres

Antarctic DataSpheres is an exhibition exploring data, sound and vision captured on the last voyage of the Aurora Australis to Antarctica.

The artwork will fill the gallery with data-driven visuals surrounded by immersive spatialised sound. Antarctic DataSpheres will be presented at Salamanca Arts Centre in Hobart as an invited exhibition at the 2024 Australian Antarctic Festival. As part of their Australian Antarctic Arts Fellowship, John McCormick and Adam Nash captured the ship, crew and expeditioners, assisting and documenting the many scientific experiments along the journey. Antarctic DataSpheres transforms this data, sound and imagery into a walk-in immersive experience relating Antarctica’s aesthetic grandeur and Australia’s ongoing Antarctic engagement.

ARTISTIC CREDITS

John McCormick – Concept, Visuals, Interaction; Adam Nash – Sound Recording, Composition; Casey Richardson – Visual Effects, Interaction.

FEATURE PHOTO CREDIT: John McCormick

STORY BAR | DISPLAY

Explore the solo, unassisted Antarctic adventure of Dr Geoff Wilson. Journey with him via his recordings to learn how he reached the summit of the coldest naturally occurring place on earth – Dome Argus. This mind-blowing challenge saw Geoff deal with frostbite and misadventure and despite this, it spurred on the wonderful creation of Dome Argus Whisky.

EVOLVE BAR | TASTING

Join the Overeem Distillers at MACq 01 Hotel as they offer a tasting experience of their whiskey selection and learn more about the amazing “Great Dome Argus Adventure”.

FEATURE PHOTO COURTESY: GEOFF WILSON

Of Close and Immediate Concern: Australia and the Antarctic Treaty System.

The Antarctic Treaty and the Antarctic Treaty System, have provided a framework for governance of the Antarctic and Southern Ocean for over sixty years.

Negotiated amid the geopolitical tensions of the Cold War, the past seven decades have continued to present various internal and external challenges to the Antarctic Treaty and Treaty Systems. Australia has played a key role in critical moments to help sustain and revitalise the system, balancing the maintenance of national interests and cooperation between Antarctic states.

This presentation explores Australia’s engagement within the Antarctic Treaty System during a new period of geopolitical tension and heightened national interests – where Antarctica and the Southern Ocean remain “of close and immediate concern”.

Marcus Haward is an Emeritus Professor in the Oceans and Cryosphere Centre at the Institute for Marine and Antarctic Studies, University of Tasmania, and a Program Leader in the Blue Economy Cooperative Research Centre. Marcus is also a member of the Centre for Marine Socioecology, University of Tasmania and an Honorary Professor at the Centre for Policy Futures at the University of Queensland. Marcus has been a member of Australian delegations to CCAMLR and the ATCM and has published widely on Antarctic governance.

FREE EVENT. BOOKINGS ESSENTIAL

Ice and Fire: Protecting Australia’s Heard and McDonald Islands

Join Save Our Marine Life, Environment Tasmania and the Australian Marine Conservation Society for a free screening of ‘Ice and Fire’ at the Palais Theatre Franklin.

Discover the captivating tale of these remote and untouched lands, where ice meets fire in a unique spectacle of nature. Immerse yourself in the beauty and wonder of these distant islands, and learn about the fascinating wildlife that calls this icy paradise home. You’ll hear from the following people:

• Tim Jarvis AM, 2024 South Australian of the Year, on the campaign to protect this Australian jewel,
• Dr Ian Cresswell co-chief author of the latest State of the Environment Report, on what makes HIMI so unique.
• Fiona Maxwell, National Oceans Manager, about this once-in-a-decade opportunity that we now have to expand marine park protection around these unique islands.

We are expecting a full house, so book your free ticket today (and enjoy a free drink on arrival).

FEATURE PHOTO CREDIT: Matt Curnock

There will be a screening only of the documentary on Sunday 25th August, see related events below for details.

Prepare to be enchanted by the allure of the Antarctic as we invite you to the Mawson’s Huts Foundation Gala Dinner.

Join us for a three-course sit-down dinner and open bar, with special musical guest and keynote speaker Alice Giles. Alice is a world-class harpist, Australian Antarctic Arts Fellow and the granddaughter of Cecil Madigan one of Mawson’s men.

There will be a live and silent auction where every bid is a step towards preserving history and protecting our planet’s fragile Antarctic heritage, with all proceeds going to the Mawson’s Huts Foundation.

Your presence will make this gala unforgettable and contribute to a legacy of conservation and exploration. A winter event not to be missed, so save the date and join us for a night of giving, laughter and connection.

The Australian Antarctic Festival is proud to offer this opportunity for people to learn much more about Hobart’s significant role in current national and international polar research, as well as its many historical associations with the Antarctic, sub-Antarctic and Southern Ocean.

Antarctic Historian and Guide, John Williamson, will lead groups on an educative, informative, and enlightening walk around the Hobart waterfront tracing the 19th-century sealing and whaling industries, early voyages of exploration to the south – including those by Sir Douglas Mawson – scientific expeditions and places of contemporary Antarctic tourism and education.

The walk, taking a little over one hour at a relaxed pace with small groups of 15, will begin at the Mawson’s Huts Replica Museum and conclude in St David’s Park.

Limited tickets available

Immerse yourself in marine and Antarctic science at IMAS this weekend. Wander through our exhibition to learn about marine life under pressure, and the efforts to protect and restore these species and ecological communities in Tasmania and beyond. Take time out to watch a movie, check out our state-of-the-art education facilities, get a glimpse into a day in the life of an IMAS student, and more. See you there!

Supported by Snap Printing, City of Hobart, Antarctic Tasmania and hosted by the Mawson’s Huts Foundation

This is an immersive exploration into the frozen wonders of Antarctica and the sub-Antarctic. Step inside the Waterside Pavilion and discover the legacy of the British, Australian, and New Zealand Antarctic Research Expedition (BANZARE) 1929-1931 through the lens of renowned photographer Frank Hurley. His original photographs of the men, the landscape, and the wildlife will be on exhibition. Snap Printing is a proud supporter of this exhibition. The Tasmanian community values the scientific and historical significance of Antarctica, and Snap Printing is committed to promoting science and awareness about this important region.

Venture further and experience Sir Edmund Hillary’s historic hut in a whole new way with the New Zealand Antarctic Heritage Trust’s VR experience. The hut was occupied by the Commonwealth Trans-Antarctic Expedition (1955–58) and the International Geophysical Year (1957–58), which established Scott Base in Antarctica. You will virtually explore the five spaces that the men worked in, including the cold porch, ‘mess’ room, radio room, kitchen, and Sir Ed’s room. Supported by City of Hobart and Antarctic Tasmania.

The journey doesn’t stop there. Outside, join the Mobile Antarctic Classroom (MAC) for interactive demonstrations that bring the science of Antarctica to life!

Let your imagination run riot as you walk around the Antarctic Expo.

You will stroll among much of the equipment used in the harsh Antarctic environment including LARC, Haaglund tracked vehicles, boats and helicopters that brave the icy terrain.

Bring the family to enjoy the interactive and engagement activities of these organisations.

You may even picture a future ‘you’ operating one of these vehicles on the frozen continent to our south. As well as these impressive modes of transport, check out a display of historic radio communications gear as used by early expeditioners. There are also fascinating and enlightening displays from companies and agencies that work in Antarctica, including:

Don’t forget to check out the Antarctic Gateway Cities Scavenger Hunt while in PW1.

There are five internationally recognised Antarctic Gateway Cities around the world, and Hobart is one of them. Grab a map at PW1 and then explore the festival to find the rest.

Discover Antarctic Gateway Cities and grab a special stamp for your map at the following venues:

• Antarctic Expo – Princes Wharf No. 1
• IMAS Open Day – Institute for Marine and Antarctic Studies
• Penguin Rookeries – MAC 02
• Through our Eyes and Islands to Ice – Tasmanian Museum and Art Gallery
• Journey to Antarctica – Waterside Pavilion

See the Related Events below for further details.

Join us at the Antarctic Expo Gateway, where the Australian Antarctic Division (AAD) and CSIRO will present interactive displays and exhibits.

• Chat with Antarctic experts to delve into their work in Antarctica.
• Immerse yourself in CSIRO’s Investigate, a cutting-edge cinema experience housed in a repurposed shipping container. Feel the excitement of an Antarctic storm, glide through the atmosphere on a data-stream, and uncover the mysteries of the deep sea.
• Step aboard Australia’s state-of-the-art research vessel, RV Investigator, for a virtual tour without getting wet.
• Explore Australia’s Antarctic research stations through the AAD’s Antarctic Explorer. Use your smartphone to access Augmented Reality (AR) windows to the icy continent and witness an iceberg up close.
• Learn about the Australian Antarctic Program and the importance of krill and whales in the Antarctic ecosystem and discover how drilling for a million-year-old ice core is helping to answer crucial climate science questions.

Don’t miss out on this incredible opportunity to explore the wonders of Antarctica.

FEATURE PHOTO CREDIT: Brad Harris

Join us at the Antarctic Expo

Aurora Expeditions is an award-winning Australian-owned expedition company pioneering experiential travel for over 33 years. A Certified B Corporation™️, Aurora is deeply committed to environmentally respectful travel to preserve the beauty and majesty that mother nature possesses, and we take real actions for the care of the planet.

Founded on the guiding principles of adventure and endless exploration, the small ship experience is intimate and friendly. Aurora Expeditions takes travellers on perspective-altering experiences to some of the planet’s most remote and incredible places.

Aurora’s two purpose-built small ships, Greg Mortimer and Sylvia Earle are designed for global discovery. The company’s third ship, Douglas Mawson, will set sail in December 2025, offering new Antarctic adventures from Australia and New Zealand.

Pop into PW1 on the weekend to chat about coming aboard with us on one of our incredible Antarctic Adventures.

FEATURE PHOTO CREDIT: Tyson Mayr

Step back in time and experience the fascinating replica of Douglas Mawson’s original expedition huts at Cape Denison, Commonwealth Bay, East Antarctica.

These huts served as the main base for the men of the Australasian Antarctic Expedition (1911-1914), who endured one of the most remote, ferociously cold, and windy locations on Earth – all in the name of science.

Presentations

IMAS Lecture Theatre

Join us as a panel of experts present talks on the Antarctic continent from its history and inhabitants to science, research and travel.

An interlude with Alice Giles

A fundraiser for Mawson’s Huts Foundation, join us for a drinks in a meet and greet with harpist Alice Giles.

Alice will start by playing the lever harp and singing two old drinking songs that her grandfather, Cecil Madigan, liked to sing during the 1911-1914 expedition “Good Rhine
Wine” and “A-Roving”. You’ll be welcome to sing-along.

Into the world of the Emperor Penguins, who find their soul mates through song, a penguin who cannot sing is born. But he can tap dance something fierce!

Joins us for a screening of Happy Feet at Mac 02, where the school’s penguin project will be exhibited. You will be surrounded by 10,000 penguins painted by school children from around Australia and the Gateway Cities of Antarctica.
 
VISITOR COMFORT
Bean bags will be available for this event, but bring extra warm clothes and extra blankets as it does get cold in the venue.
 
TICKETS
Tickets are limited for this event, so make sure you book.
 
PARKING
There is no parking onsite. There is voucher parking on Hunter Street, Evans Street and Franklin Wharf and a commercial car park in Evan Street. The nearest taxi rank is located at the Hotel Grand Chancellor.
 
SNACKS
Free popcorn will be available inside, while outside you will find the Pink Buns van for handmade bao buns, yum cha dumplings and small bites and the Chillin Dory Dessert van for delicious homemade donuts, ice cream sundaes and sweet treats.

We couldn’t have the Australian Antarctic Festival without the ever-popular Family Fun Day.  So, it’s back!

The Family Fun Day is a free event that runs from 10 am to 3 pm on Sunday 25 August 2024.

Fun Day activities will occur in Mawson Place, the concourse adjacent to the Waterside Pavilion and the lawns outside the Mawson’s Huts Replica Museum, with road closures in effect.

Come along for a full day of activities:

• Meet a sled dog team or one of our roving penguins.
• Take the informative Polar Pathway Walk with an Antarctic expeditioner.
• Immerse yourself in some Antarctic history and science experiments in the Mobile Antarctic Classroom. Follow in the footsteps of Sir Douglas Mawson and his men, with fascinating facts, interesting artefacts, and engaging activities.
• Take a selfie in our snow tent, as a memento of your visit.
• Enjoy Hobart Coffee Roasters and their roving cart full of yummy snacks and a hot beverage to warm you up on a winter’s day
• Wander through the display from Variety Tasmania (the children’s charity) who will be along for the ride with some of their quirky TasBash cars.
• As an additional bonus for Family Day, children 16 years and under can visit the Mawsons Hut Replica Museum free of charge if accompanied by an adult – with adult rates reduced to a special festival price of $10.

Join us for alternating screenings of the following two documentaries

Ice and Fire: Protecting Australia’s Heard and McDonald Islands

Screening at 10:15 am and 12:00 pm

Discover the captivating tale of these remote and untouched lands in this 30-minute documentary, where ice meets fire in a unique spectacle of nature. Immerse yourself in the beauty and wonder of these distant islands, and learn about the fascinating wildlife that calls this icy paradise home.

EINSTEIN: Expedition Deep Into The Glacier

Screening at 11:00 am and 1:00 pm

‘Einstein’, named after the Swiss physicist and Nobel Prize winner Albert Einstein, is an in-house production of Swiss Radio and Television (SRF). Its goal is to inform, educate and entertain the public with fascinating stories from all areas of science.

The glaciers in the Swiss Alps are melting due to global warming. The meltwater from the ‘Plaine Morte Glacier’ poses a threat to the mountain village of Lenk in the Bernese Alps. To understand and address this issue, scientists are studying the water channels inside the glacier.

In the 40-minute documentary Expedition Deep Into The Glacier, presenter Tobias Müller embarks on a bold journey into the heart of the glacier, exploring this climatic hotspot.

Presentations

Islands to Ice | Level 2 in the Argyle Galleries

Join us as a panel of experts present talks on the Antarctic continent from its history and inhabitants to science, research and travel.
TMAG Patron advice: Intimate venue. Limited general seating only

This is the Tasmanian premiere of the multi-international-award-winning documentary feature ‘The Great White Whale’.

Deep in the wild Southern Ocean, halfway between Australia and Africa, a snowy volcano, almost three thousand meters high, rears up from the sea on Heard Island. It looked like a great white whale to early Southern Ocean mariners, hence its name.

On five occasions Great White Whale of a mountain tried to kill the first team that attempted to climb it. Yet back they sailed, through the worst seas in the world to try again, this time with the legendary Bill Tilman as the skipper.

‘The Great White Whale’ is the extraordinary tale of both expeditions, told by those who were there, one of whom sings the story, as befits the epic saga that it was.

The beautifully shot original footage of the expedition, the brilliant music score, the quirky humour of the expeditioners, the utter boldness of the quest, adds spice to one of the least known epic tales of our times.

SPOILER ALERT: There is a significant Tasmanian connection with the conquering expedition. Watch this space – or come along to the State Cinema to learn more. You will be pleasantly surprised!

PLEASE NOTE: Tickets can only be purchased via the BUY TICKETS link below. (They are not available for purchase at the venue)

FEATURE PHOTO CREDIT: Philip Temple