Few names in Antarctic exploration hold as much weight as Sir Douglas Mawson. A pioneer, geologist, and visionary, Mawson didn’t just explore Antarctica – he laid the groundwork for today’s scientific discoveries. His expeditions mapped new lands, uncovered ancient fossils, and confirmed theories that would change our understanding of Earth’s history.
His spirit of resilience and discovery continues to inspire explorers and scientists to this day. It’s this enduring legacy that we celebrate with the name of our new ship, the Douglas Mawson, and our much-anticipated return to East Antarctica.
Behind every great explorer is a story of love, support, and endurance. For Douglas, that story was Paquita Delprat. Join us as we explore their remarkable partnership and enduring legacy.
A Partnership Forged in Ice
From the moment Paquita realised that Douglas was determined to lead an expedition to Antarctica in 1911 and postpone their wedding "whether [she] liked it or not" – she declared that “he had no keener supporter.”
And so began a partnership shaped by all things Antarctic. Paquita sewed ration bags for carrying supplies on sledging journeys during the Australasian Antarctic Expedition which were affectionately referred to as ‘Paquita bags’ by the men. Paquita’s letters to Douglas in the Antarctic were a huge comfort to him, and he admitted to re-reading them many times.
When a starving Mawson stumbled upon a cairn during his harrowing Far-Eastern sledging journey in 1913, it was a red Paquita bag that greeted him. To him, she was more than a wife waiting at home; she was his emotional anchor, his incentive to survive, and later, his partner in building a legacy that extended far beyond exploration.
Together, Douglas and Paquita raised a family, supported their community, and dedicated their lives to science, education, and service. Paquita herself was a remarkable figure – an advocate for women’s health, a leader in humanitarian relief during WWII, and the first to write a biography of her husband’s extraordinary life.
Mawson’s Impact on Science and Sustainability
Douglas Mawson was more than an explorer – he was a scientist whose vision changed how we understand the world and laid the foundation for modern Antarctic research. A central figure of the Heroic Age of Antarctic Exploration, his fieldwork and discoveries shaped future geological studies and strengthened Australia’s scientific and territorial claims on the continent.
Mawson’s Australasian Antarctic Expedition of 1911–14 revealed evidence that Antarctica was once part of the ancient supercontinent Gondwana, helping to confirm the theory of continental drift.
Mawson was also ahead of his time in recognising the importance of conservation. During the British, Australian and New Zealand Antarctic Research Expeditions of the late 1920s and 1930s, he witnessed firsthand the devastation caused by whaling and sealing. Disturbed by the scale of exploitation, he advocated for stronger protections of Antarctic wildlife – efforts that led to Macquarie Island being declared a wildlife sanctuary in 1933.
This dual legacy, of science and sustainability, resonates deeply with Aurora Expeditions. Like Mawson, we are committed to discovery with purpose: expanding our collective knowledge, while safeguarding the natural world for generations to come.
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Join Us in Writing the Next Chapter of Expedition Travel
In honour of this extraordinary legacy, our newest purpose-built expedition ship, the Douglas Mawson, launches in November 2025. Just as Mawson pushed boundaries in exploration and science, this ship is purposefully designed to push the boundaries of modern expedition travel.
We invite you to be part of a journey that celebrates the past while shaping the future, as we return to East Antarctica for the first time in 13 years. From following in Mawson’s footsteps across the icy continent, to hearing firsthand from his great-granddaughter, Emma McEwin, these voyages promise more than adventure – they promise connection to one of the greatest stories of Antarctic exploration.
The legend of Douglas and Paquita Mawson lives on. Now, aboard our newest ship, their story becomes part of yours.
