More than a hundred years ago, the young Australian geologist Douglas Mawson embarked on a first Australasian Antarctic expedition. This expedition is deemed legendary for the resilience, physical endurance, loyalty and accomplishments of the crew.

The Australasian Antarctic Expedition began in 1911. The objective was to investigate, as far as possible, a stretch of essentially unknown Antarctic coast. However this mission turned out to be fatal for 2 of Mawson's crew members. Belgrave Ninnis plummeted down a crevasse with a sledge carrying most of their supplies. Another crew member, Xavier Mertz, perished from exhaustion, starvation and possible toxicity from eating dogs' livers. Mawson's survival was a miracle, as he described it in his journals “Never have I come so near an end; never has anyone more miraculously escaped".

Despite the sacrifices that were made, the 3 years spent in sub-zero temperatures and extremely harsh winds didn't go to waste. The expedition managed to chart large segments of east Antarctic coastline and resulted in major contributions to the knowledge of the region. Furthermore, species on land and sea, previously unknown, were described for the first time. Mawson was hailed as a hero for his persistence, determination and bravery which contributed to the advancement of science.

Thanks to the photographer Frank Hurley and other crew members, we can witness this groundbreaking expedition through these astonishing photographs.

  More info: flickr

Discover more in Rare Photos Of First Australasian Antarctic Expedition Taken 100 Years Ago Will Make You Shiver

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#1

Huskies Pulling Sledge

Sled dogs pulling a musher across icy terrain during the first Australasian Antarctic expedition.

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    #2

    Blizzard, The Pup In Antarctica

    Puppy sitting on snow-covered landscape during first Australasian Antarctic Expedition over 100 years ago in rare historic photo

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    #3

    Ice Cased Adelie Penguins After A Blizzard At Cape Denison

    Rare photos from the first Australasian Antarctic Expedition show penguins in icy conditions 100 years ago.

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    #4

    Mushroom Ice Formation

    Rare photo of ice formation from the first Australasian Antarctic Expedition taken 100 years ago in a frozen ocean setting

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    #5

    Skeleton Of Sea-Elephant & Harold Hamilton

    Man in heavy clothing stands beside large animal skeleton in remote landscape during Australasian Antarctic Expedition.

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    #6

    King Penguins, Antarctica

    Two emperor penguins touching beaks in a rare photo from the first Australasian Antarctic Expedition taken 100 years ago.

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    #7

    Basilisk & Ginger At Main Base

    Two sled dogs covered in ice standing on rocky ground during the Australasian Antarctic Expedition 100 years ago.

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    #8

    C.t. Madigan With An Ice Mask

    Explorer wearing frozen hood with ice buildup during the first Australasian Antarctic Expedition 100 years ago in rare historic photo

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    #9

    Cavern Carved By The Sea In An Ice Wall Near Commonwealth Bay

    Explorer standing inside an icy cave during the rare Australasian Antarctic Expedition taken 100 years ago.

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    #10

    Wreck Of The 'Gratitude' In Macquarie Island

    Rare photos from the first Australasian Antarctic Expedition show penguins around a shipwrecked wooden vessel on a cold beach.

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    #11

    Sclater Penguin

    Rare photo of a crested penguin from the first Australasian Antarctic Expedition taken 100 years ago in icy conditions.

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    #12

    Photo Of The Crew Members

    Three men in heavy cold-weather gear on the first Australasian Antarctic Expedition standing in snowy terrain.

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    #13

    A Radiant Turret Lit By The Midsummer Midnight Sun

    Rare photo of a large iceberg from the first Australasian Antarctic Expedition 100 years ago under a cloudy sky.

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    #14

    Frozen Adelie Penguin, Antarctica

    Penguin covered in ice and snow on rocky terrain during the Australasian Antarctic Expedition 100 years ago.

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    #15

    A Dreamy Venice In Seal-Land

    Seals resting on ice floes in a rare photo from the first Australasian Antarctic Expedition taken 100 years ago.

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    #16

    F. Bickerton Looking Out Over Seas Near Commonwealth Bay

    Explorer sitting on rocky ice edge overlooking frozen sea with ice floes during Australasian Antarctic Expedition over 100 years ago

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    #17

    State Library Of New South Wales Follow Hamilton Hand-Netting For Macro-Plankton From Aurora

    Rare photo from the first Australasian Antarctic Expedition shows men fishing off the ship in icy Antarctic waters.

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    #18

    Weddell Seal In Shackleton Ice Shelf, Antarctica

    Close-up rare photo of a seal from the first Australasian Antarctic Expedition taken 100 years ago in icy conditions.

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    #19

    Shags Defending Nest, Macquarie Island

    Black and white photo of seabirds on a nest from the rare Australasian Antarctic Expedition 100 years ago.

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    #20

    The Air-Tractor

    Rare photo of the first Australasian Antarctic Expedition showing an early aircraft and explorer on snowy terrain.

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    #21

    Mertz Leaving The Hut By The Trapdoor On The Verandah Roof

    Explorer emerging from snow-covered hut during the rare first Australasian Antarctic Expedition captured 100 years ago.

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    #22

    Arthur Sawyer & Sea Elephant Pup

    Man from first Australasian Antarctic Expedition sitting among seals on grassy terrain in a rare historical black and white photo

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    #23

    Australian Antarctic Expedition Members In The Kitchen

    Crew members of the First Australasian Antarctic Expedition inside their base camp, preparing food and resting during the early 1900s.

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    #24

    Wild & Watson In Sleeping Bag Tent On Sledge Journey

    Two explorers from the first Australasian Antarctic Expedition wrapped in fur coats, enduring harsh cold conditions on ice.

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    #25

    Victoria Penguin

    Rare photo of a crested penguin from the first Australasian Antarctic Expedition taken 100 years ago on rocky terrain.

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    #26

    Frank Hurley Washing Cinematograph Film On The "Aurora"

    Man lowering equipment into icy Antarctic waters from ship during rare Australasian Antarctic Expedition 100 years ago.

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    #27

    Female Sea-Elephant, Macquarie Island

    Rare photos from the first Australasian Antarctic Expedition show a close-up of a sea lion on rocky shores.

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    #28

    Winter Quarters, Queen Mary Land Winter

    Rare photo of Australasian Antarctic Expedition showing early 1900s snow shelter with skis and equipment on icy terrain.

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    #29

    Mawson Rests At The Side Of Sledge, Outward Bound On First Sledge Journey In Adelie Land

    Two explorers dressed in heavy cold weather gear resting on snow during the Australasian Antarctic Expedition.

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    #30

    Start Of The First Depot Journey; "The Grottoes"

    Members of the first Australasian Antarctic Expedition pulling sledges through snow near expedition hut in 1911.

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    #31

    In Full Sledging Gear On The Plateau

    Three explorers in heavy winter gear stand with sledges and Australasian Antarctic Expedition flags on icy terrain in rare historical photo.

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    #32

    State Library Of New South Wales Follow Aurora Traversing Loose Pack Ice Entering The Durville Sea

    View from the deck of a sailing ship surrounded by ice floes during the Australasian Antarctic Expedition 100 years ago.

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    #33

    Bob Bage And J. Hunter At 65 Miles South

    Two explorers resting on snow beside a heavily loaded sled during the first Australasian Antarctic Expedition.

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    #34

    Bage In The Entrance To The Astronomic Observatory

    Explorer in heavy winter clothing sitting outside a shelter during the first Australasian Antarctic Expedition 100 years ago.

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    #35

    Young Sea-Elephants On The Beach, Macquarie Ilsand

    Group of seals resting on rocky shore in rare photos of first Australasian Antarctic Expedition taken 100 years ago

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    #36

    Madigan At The Rail & Mawson Stepping From The Rail Of The Aurora

    Two men in early 1900s attire aboard a ship during the first Australasian Antarctic Expedition vintage photo.

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    #37

    Unloading Supplies At Cape Denison

    Rare photos of the first Australasian Antarctic Expedition show explorers working on ice near boats and sledges.




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