Contemporary Antarctic connections

Science, research and education

Hobart's rich polar history and privileged position as a support base for Antarctic expeditions attracts a large number of research personnel involved with Antarctica and the Southern Ocean environment. Hobart is considered one of the world's most vibrant research communities in Antarctic-focussed research and education. The Australian Antarctic Division (AAD), the University of Tasmania (UTAS), the Bureau of Meteorology (BoM) and the Commonwealth Science and Industrial Research Organisation's (CSIRO) Division of Marine Science are responsible for Australia's Antarctic and Southern Ocean research efforts and are all based in Hobart.

These four major institutions are responsible for much of Australia's Antarctic and Southern Ocean research efforts. They are partners in the Antarctic Climate and Ecosystems Cooperative Research Centre (ACE-CRC), along with a number of other organisations. The University of Tasmania houses a number of Antarctic researchers and students throughout its various departments. Antarctic-related postgraduate research studies are available through the Institute for Marine and Antarctic Studies (IMAS). Hobart is also home to two important international secretariats - the Commission for the Conservation of Antarctic Marine Living Resources (CCAMLR) and the Agreement on the Conservation of Albatrosses and Petrels (ACAP). More information about Hobart's Antarctic Community is available under Tasmania's Antarctic industries.

Historical and traditional connections

Historical connections

France's Dumont d'Urville, England's James Clark Ross, Norway's Carsten Borchgrevink and Roald Amundsen and Australia's Douglas Mawson all left their mark on Hobart as they passed through on their way to Antarctica. The announcement to the world of Amundsen's success as the first man to reach the geographic South Pole was made from the steps of the Hobart GPO while his vessel Fram was moored in the Derwent River. Tasmania's own physicist, Louis Bernacchi, was the first Australian to over-winter in Antarctica. More information on Tasmania's historical connection with the explorers of the Antarctic can be found under Antarctic gateway.

Gondwana connections

The geophysical Tasmanian-Antarctic connection

As Australia separated from Antarctica, the Antarctic Circumpolar Current evolved and Antarctica became glaciated, resulting in the extinction of plants and animals. Only mosses, lichens, liverworts and some small invertebrates remained. As one of the last land masses to break away from the Gondwana super continent, Tasmania's geology bears a strong similarity to geological formations found in Antarctica.

Dolerite rock makes up several well-known Tasmanian features such as the Organ Pipes of Mt Wellington, the Walls of Jerusalem, the Western Tiers and the top of Cradle Mountain. More detailed information on Tasmania's unique geophysical connection with Antarctica can be found on the Antarctic Gateway portal.

Tasmanian Flora

Many of these 'Tasmanian' species have long since vanished from the Antarctic continent, but related species still exist, in particular Nothofagus gunnii, the endemic Tasmanian deciduous Beech, which is still found in the temperate rain forests of Tasmania. Other modern day plant species relatives now only found in Tasmania include Man Ferns (Dicksonia antarctica), Myrtle (Nothofagus cunninghamii), Creeping pine (Microcachrys tetragona), Huon pine (Lagarostrobus franklinii), and Celery top pine (Phyllocadus aspleniifolius).

Tasmanian Fauna

Some of these species, such as the southern right whale and Macquarie Island's fur and elephant seals, had an enormous influence on the economic development and history of Tasmania, and were instrumental in the discovery and exploration of Antarctica and the Southern Ocean. Seals and sea lions are also common in Tasmanian waters, and Antarctic species make an occasional appearance. In recent years, elephant seals have hauled out just 80 kilometres (50 miles) south of Hobart.

Magnificent seabirds such as the royal and wandering albatrosses can be sighted off the Tasmanian coast from winter to early spring, while dolphins, porpoises and orcas are common sights for expeditioners travelling south from Hobart. Residents of Tasmania's east coast are also able to regularly see humpback and southern right whales migrating north to warmer breeding areas during the winter months, from May to late July, and travelling back to their feeding grounds in the Antarctic and sub-Antarctic in August, September and October.

Tasmania's sub-Antarctic Island - Macquarie Island

Macquarie Island has ecological significance that is in inverse proportion to its tiny size. It is a haven for a variety of furred, finned or feathered creatures and hosts some species such as the royal penguin (Eudyptes schlegeli), which breed nowhere else in the world. Although exploited during the 19th century, Macquarie Island has been a wildlife sanctuary since 1933. Now, with its abundant wildlife and unique geology, Macquarie Island is a place of unprecedented natural significance and is proudly listed as Tasmania's second World Heritage Area.