Some Antarctic stories begin with ice, science or exploration. This one begins with a plastic dog.
Her name was Stay — and despite the irony, she has spent more than three decades roaming Antarctica and the sub-Antarctic, becoming an unexpected and much-loved part of Antarctic folklore.
From protest to polar legend
Stay first travelled south in 1991, when expeditioners took a life-sized Guide Dog to Antarctica as a symbolic protest following the removal of husky dogs from Australian Antarctic stations. Intended as a light-hearted fundraising gesture, Stay quickly took on a life far beyond her original purpose.
Over the years, Stay wintered at multiple Antarctic stations, visited Mawson’s Hut, travelled to Macquarie Island, Heard Island and beyond, and even made her way to the Arctic. Along the way becoming the subject of books, media stories and countless tales shared between generations of expeditioners.
What began as a simple dog donation box evolved into a shared symbol of humour, generosity and camaraderie in one of the most remote places on Earth.
A new chapter: Stay2
In 2022, the original Stay appeared to have strayed off the ship and was believed to have stowed away on another vessel, so the Antarctic community welcomed a new Stay — Stay2 — kindly provided by Guide Dogs Tasmania.
Stay2 was introduced to honour the legacy of the original Stay and to continue raising funds for Guide Dogs Tasmania, carrying forward a tradition that has long connected Antarctic travel with generosity and goodwill.
Stay2 sails with Aurora
On a recent Aurora Expeditions voyage, Stay2 travelled onboard through the efforts of long-time Antarctic expeditioner Graeme “Snowy” Snow, quickly becoming a favourite among expeditioners.
When Snowy shared the history of Stay and Stay2 with passengers, Stay2 became an instant highlight — photographed on deck, during shore landings and throughout daily ship life.
“She started as a protest, turned into a mascot, and somehow became part of Antarctic folklore — and now that story is being carried forward by Stay2,” says Snowy.
“Seeing Stay2 onboard and watching people instantly connect with the story shows why it’s endured for so long.”
Giving back from the bottom of the world
True to Stay’s original purpose, Stay2 has helped raise funds for Guide Dogs Tasmania. During the voyage, expeditioners donated over $345, continuing a tradition of giving that has followed Stay across decades of Antarctic travel.
Aurora Expeditions has confirmed it will match all onboard donations dollar for dollar, doubling the impact of expeditioners’ generosity.
Stay2 is currently completing her final Antarctic travels onboard before being returned to Macquarie Island later in the season, marking the close of this chapter in her journey to support the Guide Dog community.
More than a mascot
For Aurora Expeditions, Stay’s story is one of stewardship rather than ownership.
Antarctica is shaped not only by ice and science, but by the people who travel there, the traditions they create and the stories they pass on. Stay — and now Stay2 — are reminders that humour, kindness and community endure even in the most remote environments on Earth.
From a tongue-in-cheek protest to a beloved piece of polar folklore, Stay’s story continues — proving that some legends don’t need fur to leave a lasting mark.
