Mawson’s Antarctica
Starts and Ends in
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Departing
01 Jan 0001
Duration
0 days
Activity Level
Daily shore excursions, guided hikes & outings
Moderate
Season
2025
Polar Expeditions
Group of Kayakers on calm waters
Antarctica | Credit: Lina Stock
Royal Penguins
Macquarie Island | Credit: Clem Ditton
Sir Ernest Shackletons hut by the shores of McMurdo Sound
Antarctica | Credit: Shutterstock
Weddell seal
Commonwealth Bay, Antarctica | Credit: Shutterstock
Emperor penguins
Ross Sea, Antarctica | Credit: Shutterstock
Ross Sea & East Antarctica
Mawson’s Antarctica
Highlights
Emma McEwin
Writer & Douglas Mawson’s Great-Granddaughter
Emma McEwin is a writer and a great-granddaughter of Douglas Mawson. She has a BA and Honours degree in English literature and a PhD in Creative Writing from the University of Adelaide.
Emma is the author of An Antarctic Affair (East Street Publications, 2008), which explores the reasons why Douglas Mawson survived a sledging journey in the Antarctic in 1912-13, and the role that her great-grandmother, Paquita, played in his survival. Her second book, The Many Lives of Douglas Mawson, (Australian Scholarly Publishing, 2018) explores the ways in which Mawson has been represented and remembered as a public figure while also reflecting on his private legacy, as a husband, father, scientist and academic.
Other publications include ‘Nancy Atkinson: Bacteriologist, Winemaker and Writer (1910-1999)’, published in The Australian Journal of Biography and History (2018), ‘Capturing the Subject: Virginia Woolf’s Battle with Biographical Boundaries’, (Fear of Theory, Brill Academic Publishers, 2021), ‘Atkinson, Nancy (1910-1999)’, published in the Australian Dictionary of Biography (online), 2022, and, most recently, ‘The Fêting of Douglas Mawson: Farewells, Homecomings and Other Notable Occasions’ (Bibliophile, 2024).
Emma McEwin will be a special guest on our Mawson’s Antarctica voyage departing 11 December 2025.
Dr Graeme Clark
Marine Ecologist & Antarctic Explorer
Graeme is a marine ecologist who has spent over two decades studying the impacts of environmental change on coastal and polar ecosystems. He leads the Marine Ecological Futures Lab at the University of Sydney, where his research focuses on benthic communities, sea-ice ecology, and climate-driven shifts in marine biodiversity. Much of his work takes place in remote and extreme environments, including the Antarctic continent and the Great Barrier Reef.
Graeme has a long-standing interest in Antarctic science. He is a Chief Investigator in the Australian Research Council’s Special Research Initiative for Securing Antarctica’s Environmental Future, and has contributed to multiple field campaigns in East Antarctica. His work combines ecological surveys with cutting-edge tools such as remotely operated vehicles, photogrammetry, and environmental DNA to reveal hidden patterns in under-ice biodiversity. He also contributes to international policy efforts to protect vulnerable ecosystems and guide climate adaptation.
Graeme is passionate about sharing science with broader audiences. He has appeared on radio, written for The Conversation, and regularly gives public talks. He enjoys working alongside artists, photographers, and storytellers to bring Antarctic science to life. On board, he’ll be sharing insights from past and present research expeditions, and offering a window into the remarkable but little-known ecosystems that lie beneath the ice.
Dr Graeme Clark will be a special guest on our Mawson’s Antarctica voyage departing 11 December 2025.
Dr Stephanie Gardner
Marine Microbial Ecologist & Ocean Advocate
Steph is a marine microbial ecologist and ocean advocate, born and raised in Sydney with a lifelong connection to the sea. Her research examines how microbial communities, particularly bacteria, impact the health and functioning of marine ecosystems across various environments, ranging from Antarctic sea ice to tropical coral reefs. She holds a PhD in Marine Biology, where she focused on coral physiology and biochemistry, investigating how corals protect themselves from climate stress.
Her work spans polar, temperate, and tropical systems, covering a range of organisms, including corals, algae, fish, and marine sediments. The common thread is understanding how microbial processes respond to a changing climate, and what that means for the resilience of reef ecosystems. Her day-to-day work includes designing experiments, conducting field and lab research, analysing data, publishing scientific papers, and sharing her findings with the broader public.
Steph is currently a Postdoctoral Research Fellow at the University of Sydney, working within the ARC-funded Securing Antarctica’s Environmental Future (SAEF) initiative. Her role focuses on understanding and describing benthic microbial communities in Antarctic ecosystems, contributing to efforts to forecast and manage environmental change on the continent.
Beyond the lab and field, Steph is a committed science communicator and mentor, with a strong passion for raising awareness about the challenges facing marine ecosystems. Her ultimate goal — both personal and professional — is to help safeguard vulnerable reef environments so future generations can experience and appreciate them as we do today.
Dr Stephanie Gardner will be a special guest on our Mawson’s Antarctica voyage departing 11 December 2025.
Dr Nina Schaefer
Marine Ecologist and Biosecurity Specialist
Nina is a marine ecologist and biosecurity specialist whose work focuses on managing the spread of marine invasive species. She currently works at Biosecurity Australia, where she advises on strategies to reduce the risk of biofouling — the accumulation of marine organisms on ships and infrastructure — which is one of the primary pathways for introducing non-native species to sensitive environments, such as Antarctica.
Nina earned her PhD in Biological Sciences from UNSW Sydney in 2019, following undergraduate and master’s degrees in Biology from Ruhr University Bochum in Germany. She has worked across research and government sectors, including a role as Research Associate at the Sydney Institute of Marine Science from 2019 to 2023. Her research focused on urban marine ecology, eco-engineering, and the impact of coastal infrastructure design on biodiversity and invasion risk.
She has published extensively on topics such as substrate design, light pollution, and the impact of small-scale habitat features on both native and non-native species. Nina also has experience with applied ecological solutions, including the use of novel materials and 3D printing for creating more sustainable marine environments.
Nina brings a practical, policy-focused perspective to her work, bridging the gap between science and regulation. On board, she will share insights into how invasive species spread, why Antarctica is particularly vulnerable, and how both research and strong biosecurity measures are helping to protect marine ecosystems in a rapidly changing world.
Dr Nina Schaefer will be a special guest on our Mawson’s Antarctica voyage departing 11 December 2025.
Dr John Turnbull
Marine and Coastal Ecologist
John is a marine and coastal ecologist with a background that bridges science, engineering, business, and social research. He is currently based at the University of Sydney, where he is investigating what drives Antarctic marine ecosystems and how vulnerable they are to climate change. His work is helping to uncover the complex links between environmental processes, biodiversity, and human activity in one of the world’s most rapidly changing regions.
John’s research spans both ecological and social dimensions of marine conservation. He has published widely on the effectiveness of marine protected areas, the role of citizen science, and the importance of local stewardship in sustaining healthy marine systems. He contributed to Australia’s 2021 State of the Environment Report and is committed to finding practical solutions that link science, policy, and community action.
Outside academia, John is well known for his public outreach and science communication. He is the founder of Marine Explorer, a popular online platform featuring thousands of open-access underwater photographs and articles. He is also a co-author of Underwater Sydney, President of the NSW branch of the Australian Marine Sciences Association, and a lead trainer for Reef Life Survey.
Earlier in his career, John worked as an engineer and consultant, helping businesses and universities improve how they engage with people and ideas. His varied background helps him communicate science in a clear, inclusive way — something he brings to every voyage.
Dr John Turnbull will be a special guest on our Mawson’s Antarctica voyage departing 11 December 2025.
Meet our Expert Special Guests
With education and enrichment at the heart of the way we explore, our Special Guests Program features experts in the fields of exploration, conservation, science, photography, art, culture and more to enrich your expedition with their unique perspectives, insights, and experiences. Special guests may vary between voyages, explore the Bios below to learn more.
Included Activities
Bird Watching
Lectures on wildlife, our environment, history and destinations
Marine Mammal Spotting
Photography
Polar Plunge
Scenic Cruising
Trips Ashore
Walking
Wildlife Watching
Zodiac Cruising
Our Ship
The Douglas Mawson
Capacity
154 Passengers Maximum (130 on Expedition)
Year built
2025
Cabins
86
Length
104.4 m
Decks
8
Speed
10-12 Knots