Sir Douglas Mawson’s 1911 lunch recreated, with a twist

Sir Douglas Mawson met his Antarctic expedition members for lunch at Hadley’s Orient Hotel in Hobart in 1911.

Soon his Antarctic Expedition would sail from Hobart (December 2, 1911) in their ship Aurora, under Captain John King Davis.

The Australasian Antarctic Expedition took three years, from 1911 to 1914.

And today’s Aurora expedition cruise company is supporting a dinner for 60 people in this spot where Sir Douglas dined.

Reimagining Mawson’s Lunch — An Evening Honouring Antarctic Legacy, is hosted by the Mawson’s Huts Foundation on December 11, 2025 at Hadley’s Orient Hotel. Tickets are $225.

A spokesperson for Australian company Aurora says: “This intimate event recreates the historic 1911 luncheon held for Douglas Mawson and the men of the Australasian Antarctic Expedition before they departed south.

“Hadley’s head chef will reimagine the original menu with a modern touch, bringing a remarkable moment in Antarctic history to life.”

The evening is being held in partnership with the Antarctic Women’s Network, to also celebrate the contributions of women in Antarctic science, exploration and cultural heritage today.

The five-course dinner, inspired by the 1911 luncheon, is limited to 60 guests. There will be presentations and performances celebrating Mawson’s life and achievements, the Australasian Antarctic Expedition, and women in Antarctica.

Guests will also be able to see an exhibition on Norwegian explorer Captain Roald Amundsen and his stay at Hadley’s after he returned from the South Pole in 1912.

Hadley’s is at 34 Murray Street in the heart of Hobart, and just a short walk to the waterfront and Salamanca.

All proceeds support the Mawson’s Huts Foundation’s conservation work at Cape Denison, preserving the historic huts that tell Australia’s first Antarctic story.

events.humanitix.com

mawsons-huts.org.au/events/mawsons-lunch

aurora-expeditions.com

AT THE 1911 LUNCH

Sir Douglas Mawson was leader of the 1911-1914 Australasian Antarctic Expedition.

Others held interesting roles. Eric Webb was magnetician. His role was to take daily magnetic measurements at base camp and join the sledging journey to get as close as possible to the South Magnetic Pole. Webb collected meticulous data under difficult conditions.

Robert Bage was assistant magnetician and astronomer.

Others held interesting “dual” roles — Archibald McLean as chief medical officer and bacteriologist. He conducted bacteriological research on ice and humans, collecting swabs and blood samples. His work laid the foundation for understanding the physiological effects of Antarctic living.

Alfred Hodgeman was cartographer and sketch artist. He was an Adelaide architect and draftsman who had designed the expedition’s huts.

Frank Hurley was photographer and cinematographer — as he would be on Sir Ernest Shackleton’s Imperial Trans-Antarctic Expedition from 1914-1917, documenting his ship, Endurance, being trapped in ice and breaking up.

Frank Bickerton, in charge of the expedition’s “air tractor” — a Vickers aircraft which he had converted into a sledge.

Percy Correll was mechanic and assistant physicist; Charels Laseron was taxidermist and biological collector.

Also on the expedition were John Hunter (biologist), Frank Stillwell (geologist), John Close (assistant collector), Belgrave Ninnis and Xavier Mertz (in charge of dogs), Herbert Dyce Murphy (stores), Walter Hannam (wireless and mechanic), Leslie Whetter (surgeon) and Sidney Jeffries (wireless, second year).

antarctica.gov.au

HADLEY’S STORIES

In Hadley’s Orient Hotel, visitors can use the smartphone or tablet to scan a QR code to listen to a new audio story about the expedition members’ lunch and Mawson’s Antarctic achievements.

Bring earbuds or headphones, or borrow some for free from reception.

A spokesperson says: “Like a radio drama, the audio experience brings the story to life, with narration by actor Ben Winspear and custom soundscapes by Tasmanian musicians Emily Sheppard and Yyan Ng.”

The hotel was home to Tasmania’s first rollerskating rink (1867) and where Tasmania’s first ice creams were made, in 1850.

The hotel dates back to 1834.

hadleyshotel.com.au

In tomorrow’s Sunday Travel — how Aurora is reducing the impact of exploring the world.