About the Australian Antarctic Festival

It’s often noted that there are more Antarctic scientists located in Hobart than in any other city in the world and several important organisations are based here. These include the Institute for Marine and Antarctic Studies (IMAS), the Australian Antarctic Division (AAD), the Commission for the Conservation of Marine Living Resources (CCAMLR), the CSIRO Marine and Atmospheric Research Institute, the Antarctic Climate and Ecosystems Cooperative Research Centre (ACE-CRC) and the University of Tasmania (UTAS).  This impressive array of scientific expertise forms a large part of the Antarctic community found in Tasmania. Hundreds of staff at the AAD support the recruitment and training of Antarctic expeditioners and the operation of shipping and transport services. Dozens of companies supply food, fuel, specialised equipment and services to support Australia’s Antarctic program and the French and Chinese Antarctic programs.

Each season, hundreds of people in Hobart prepare for the program of explorations, research, maintenance and re-supply that will begin as soon as sea ice conditions in the Southern Ocean allow. The new Australian icebreaker Nuyina and the CSIRO research vessel Investigator are familiar sights on the Hobart docks as they begin to take on stores and supplies for the coming summer.  For 2022 we will also have the HMAS Brisbane in port, showcasing the important work the Royal Australian Navy does in the Southern Ocean. We believe this is an appropriate time to celebrate the work of the International Antarctic community and the huge contribution it makes to the social fabric and working economy of Tasmania.

A series of exhibitions, open days, school excursions, entertainment and so much more, we bring the Antarctic to Hobart. Join us for a fascinating look at our work, in the coldest, highest, driest and windiest place on earth. Meet the expeditioners and scientists, the tradespeople and the chefs, the communications experts and the technicians who support Australia’s leading role in the Antarctic and Southern Ocean. You will be intrigued, surprised, entertained and amused at the details of how people live and work at -40˚C, or go for a refreshing dip when the temperature climbs to zero! Programming for the festival is well underway, so check back to this site to see updated information.

Best of all, thanks to the support of our many friends and sponsors, admission to almost all Antarctic comedy night, Quiz night and Gala Dinner.  Most Festival events are completely free to the public. Where we do ask for a donation, it’s to support the vital work of the Mawson’s Huts Foundation, who preserve a unique part of Australia’s Antarctic heritage: Douglas Mawson’s 1912 expedition huts at Commonwealth Bay in East Antarctica.