ANARE coastal exploration 1948-1956

Between 1929 and 1931 Sir Douglas Mawson led the two BANZARE (British Australian (and) New Zealand Antarctic Research Expedition) voyages to the quadrant of Antarctica south of Australia. BANZARE was a political expedition with the primary aim of claiming land for the British Crown; the economic possibilities of the region were also high on the agenda, followed only thirdly by scientific investigations. Mawson was empowered by the Crown to claim land, and the government urged this upon him continually in spite of the difficulties of ice navigation.

In 1933, the large swathe of territory claimed by the BANZARE voyages, 42 per cent of the continent, was granted to Australia by the British Government. Finally, following World War II, Australia established ANARE (Australian National Antarctic Research Expeditions) in 1947, and in that year three expeditions were sent out to establish research stations. Heard and Macquarie Islands were reached but a base on the continent was not successfully established until 1954. That first base was named Mawson, after Australia's polar pioneer Sir Douglas Mawson. The station is well to the west of Mawson's own Western Base at the Shackleton Ice Shelf. The leader of that first base was Robert Dovers. He recorded its activities in his book Huskies.

In its first year the men at Mawson Station began surveying the coast and inland: the Prince Charles Mountains were discovered. Law noted that observations in geophysics was combined 'with extensive field explorations by land, sea and air [and] was proving most profitable and our knowledge of Princess Elizabeth Land, MacRobertson Land, Kemp Land and Enderby land was rapidly being extended.' (Law, ANARE, p.xx)

Subsequently two further bases were established, Davis and Casey Stations. ANARE is now managed within the Australian Antarctic Division and the four stations at Macquarie Island, Mawson, Davis and Casey are maintained year round.

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