The Australian Antarctic Festival

Discover Antarctic-inspired flavours across Hobart

Experience Hobart’s hospitality like never before as participating cafés, bars and festival venues create exclusive Antarctic-inspired food and drinks for the 2026 Australian Antarctic Festival.

From signature cocktails and specialty coffee to sweet treats and unique festival fare, the Aurora Flavours Trail invites visitors to discover exclusive flavours while exploring Hobart’s waterfront throughout the Festival.

Participating venues include:
• Art Bar (Hadley’s Orient Hotel)
• Baaa Bar (The Old Woolstore)
• The Den
• LARK Cellar Door
• Gotham at The Still
• Hobart Coffee Roasters
• Boutique Espresso
• Van Diemen Ice Creamery

Participating events include: (Refer to the related events below)
• Antarctic Twilight Market
• Antarctic Spirits (Mawson’s Huts Replica Museum)
• Mawson Family Day featuring Albert Brewery, Tlalli and STASberry (Mawson Place)

Look for the Aurora Flavours Trail map (to be published soon) and explore Hobart one delicious stop at a time.

Available throughout the Festival.

An intimate evening of whisky, history and discovery

Begin the evening at Lark Distillery with a curated Lark whisky tasting, presented in collaboration with Lark Distillery. The tasting will take place on the second floor, which is accessible by stairs only.

Guests will then make the short walk to the Mawson’s Huts Replica Museum for an after-hours guided storytelling experience exploring the Australasian Antarctic Expedition (1911–1914), daily life in Antarctica and the human stories of survival and discovery. A shared, locally sourced charcuterie board will be served at the museum.

The event is intentionally small-scale, with a maximum of 16 guests per session, to maintain an intimate and immersive environment. The Thursday session will also feature a special talk by Bill Lark, founder of Lark Distillery.

Your Gateway to Antarctic Discovery

Step into the world of Antarctica at the Antarctic Expo, the festival’s central hub of discovery and exploration. Meet scientists, researchers, government agencies, tourism operators, educators and conservation organisations, and learn about the many ways people live, work and study in the far south.

With interactive displays, hands-on activities and fascinating exhibits, the Expo offers something for all ages.

Exhibitors and activity details coming soon.

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, will begin at the Mawson’s Huts Replica Museum and conclude in St David’s Park.

BOOKINGS ESSENTIAL.

Sail into the stories of Antarctica’s greatest explorers.

All aboard for an unforgettable Antarctic adventure on Tassie’s iconic tall ship, the Lady Nelson.

Step aboard for a 90-minute harbour sail across the breathtaking Derwent River and journey into the Heroic Age of Antarctic exploration. Help the crew hoist the sails, take the helm, or relax and enjoy the views of one of the world’s most picturesque harbours.

As you sail along Hobart’s historic waterfront, Festival storytellers will bring to life the remarkable stories of Sir Douglas Mawson and Sir Ernest Shackleton, whose courage, endurance and leadership helped define one of the greatest eras of polar exploration.

With a maximum of just 28 passengers on each sailing, this intimate Festival experience offers a unique opportunity for adults and families to discover Antarctic history from a completely different perspective aboard one of Hobart’s most iconic vessels.

Look out for the Lady Nelson glowing blue throughout the Festival!

Important information

• This experience is weather-dependent. Sailing times may be changed or cancelled if conditions are considered unsuitable or unsafe.
• Ticket holders will be contacted regarding any changes. If a sailing is cancelled, ticket holders will be offered a transfer or a full refund.
• Please arrive early to allow time for boarding. Late arrivals may not be able to join the sailing.

Meet sled dogs, explore Antarctica and enjoy a day of family fun

Come down to the Mawson’s Huts Replica Museum lawns on Sunday for a fun Antarctic-themed family day.

Enjoy a range of activities and experiences throughout the Mawson’s Family Day, including:

• Free entry to the Mawson’s Huts Museum.
• Meet working sled dogs and chat with the team from Sled Dog Adventures Tasmania about the history of sled dogs in Antarctica.
• Antarctic stories, science, and exploration – brought to life for families with sessions run by the Mawson’s Huts Foundation Mobile Antarctic Classroom.
• Hands-on activities with the Antarctic Youth Coalition.
• Wool spinning demonstrations by Marion Wheatland from Spinning Pets Yarn using husky wool.
• Food and drinks available for purchase.
• Face painting, crafts, penguin painting and more.