Welcoming Our New Expedition Ship, the Douglas Mawson

Counting Down to Adventure – the journey begins in Sydney.

Purpose-built for adventure and sustainability, the Douglas Mawson is the third vessel in our fleet to feature Ulstein’s signature X-BOW® design, joining the Greg Mortimer and Sylvia Earle. Her arrival marks an exciting new chapter in our journey as we continue to expand our industry-leading fleet and offer travellers deeper connections to remarkable environments and cultures across all seven continents.

Named in honour of legendary Australian geologist and explorer Sir Douglas Mawson, the ship embodies his pioneering spirit. Her inaugural voyage to Tasmania in December 2025 will be the first of many, taking travellers from the icy wilderness of Antarctica to the cultural coastlines of Europe and Central America.

From Tasmania to East Antarctica and beyond, the Douglas Mawson is ready to take travellers deeper into nature, with all the comfort, safety, and sustainability you expect from Aurora Expeditions.

This inaugural season also features our Special Guests Program, welcoming inspiring voices from exploration, science, conservation, art, and culture – from Emma McEwin, writer and Douglas Mawson’s great-granddaughter, to acclaimed travel photographer Richard I’Anson, and human ecologist Phillipa Ross, the great-great-great-granddaughter of Sir James Clark Ross – with many more to join us throughout the season.

Every detail of the Douglas Mawson is designed to balance comfort, adventure, and responsible travel. Light-filled interiors feature a soaring two-storey atrium and a panoramic forward-facing lounge, while purpose-built Zodiac embarkation zones and spacious observation areas provide seamless access to wildlife encounters and shore landings.

Expeditioners will also enjoy thoughtfully designed spaces that create moments of connection and relaxation, with:

• Two restaurants and two bars.
• A heated outdoor pool with Jacuzzis and pool bar.
• Dedicated wellness areas with gym and sauna.
• Inviting communal spaces including a library, lecture theatre, and Citizen Science Centre.

Carrying just 130 expeditioners in the polar regions and 154 on Small Ship Cruises, the Douglas Mawson combines intimacy with capability. Her Polar Class 6 rating and advanced safety and environmental systems allow for comfortable, responsible navigation through ice-laden waters and remote coastlines worldwide.

Like the rest of our purpose-built fleet, she features a fuel-efficient diesel-electric propulsion system, waste-heat recovery, and Ulstein’s innovative X-BOW® design – proven to reduce fuel consumption, noise, and motion in rough seas. These features minimise environmental impact while maximising the expedition experience.

For solo travellers, the Douglas Mawson also introduces more single cabins than ever before, expanding opportunities to join Aurora’s growing global community.