A New Era for Expedition Cruising in Australia
In November, the Douglas Mawson arrived in Australian waters, marking a proud moment for Aurora Expeditions. Following a naming ceremony in Sydney Harbour, our newest small ship then set sail for Tasmania on her inaugural voyage - making history as the very first X-Bow® vessel to operate in Australian waters and ushering in a new era of sustainable, comfortable, and pioneering expedition cruising right here at home.
For Aurora, this is more than a milestone. It’s the continuation of our long tradition of breaking boundaries in exploration, from the icy frontiers of Antarctica to the most remote corners of the globe.
Why This Moment Matters for Australia
Australia’s story has always been shaped by the sea. From the legendary voyages of Captain Cook and Matthew Flinders to the heroic expeditions of Sir Douglas Mawson, maritime exploration runs deep in our national identity.
With the arrival of the Douglas Mawson, Aurora proudly carries this legacy forward—blending cutting-edge ship design with a deep respect for nature. Featuring the revolutionary Ulstein X-Bow®, the ship is perfectly suited to the challenging conditions of the remote regions we explore, allowing guests to experience them with greater stability, safety, and comfort.
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The Douglas Mawson's First Journey
The voyage began in Hobart, where 127 expeditioners boarded the Douglas Mawson and settled into life at sea. The first day focused on orientation, safety briefings, and introductions to the expedition and ship’s crew, marking the vessel’s maiden voyage. With passengers and crew from around the world, there was a strong sense of anticipation as the ship departed, beginning an 11-day circumnavigation of Tasmania.
Early days explored southern Tasmania, including Bruny Island and the Tasman Peninsula. Landings and Zodiac cruises revealed diverse coastal landscapes, spring wildflowers, and abundant birdlife. Wildlife encounters quickly became a highlight, with common dolphins frequently bow-riding and seabirds such as shy albatross and shearwaters filling the skies. Visits to historic sites like the Coal Mines showcased Tasmania’s convict past, while ship cruising along towering sea cliffs at Cape Raoul and Tasman Island offered dramatic scenery and sightings of whales and even killer whales.
As the expedition continued north and west, several sea days provided opportunities for expert-led lectures on geology, Aboriginal history, wildlife, photography, and exploration heritage. These days balanced learning with memorable moments, including spotting a super moon rising over Bass Strait. Landings at remote islands such as Three Hummock Island and Flinders Island allowed for long hikes, community interactions, and encounters with kangaroos, wombats, wallabies, and rare bird species. A ship cruise past Albatross Island highlighted one of Tasmania’s most important breeding sites for shy albatross.
Challenging weather occasionally altered plans, particularly around the Kent Island group, but these moments were filled with storytelling, wildlife watching, and engaging presentations onboard. Further south, Maria Island stood out as a highlight, offering predawn walks to the Painted Cliffs, rich wildlife, and dramatic coastal cruising when conditions prevented further landings. The day concluded with a lively Tasmanian-themed celebration aboard the ship.
The final days returned to the Tasman Peninsula, where expeditioners visited the Port Arthur Historic Site. Guided walks explored its convict history alongside deeper recognition of Palawa Aboriginal heritage, providing space for reflection and remembrance. The voyage concluded back in Hobart with a farewell dinner, shared stories, and a slideshow celebrating the journey—bringing to a close a rich expedition that blended natural history, wildlife, culture, and exploration around Tasmania.
Mammal & Reptile Sightings
Mammals
Reptiles
The most impressive reptile we came across was the Copperhead Snake, named for its distinctive copper-colored head and hourglass-shaped dark bands along a tan to reddish-brown body, providing excellent camouflage. Copperheads inhabit a wide range of environments, including deciduous forests, rocky hillsides, wetlands, riverbanks, and even suburban woodlands, demonstrating a high level of adaptability. They are primarily ambush predators, feeding on small mammals, amphibians, insects, and other reptiles, and play an important role in controlling prey populations. Although venomous, copperheads are generally non-aggressive and rely on camouflage to avoid detection, biting mainly when threatened or accidentally encountered.
Meet the Douglas Mawson: More Than Just the Bow
While the X-Bow® is one of its most striking features, the Douglas Mawson is built from bow to stern for discovery, this unique bow design also allows for more space inside, meaning more spaces to relax, learn and prepare for discovery. Purpose-built for small-ship expeditions, the vessel carries just 154 guests across 8 decks, with 86 comfortable cabins and suites.
- A Citizen Science Centre with space for lectures, research, and citizen science programs.
- A Dedicated mudroom and Zodiac access for seamless shore landings.
- A state-of-the-art lecture theatre to learn from our world-class Expedition Team.
- Sustainability features, including advanced wastewater treatment and reduced fuel consumption.
Named in honour of Australia’s most famous polar explorer, the ship continues Sir Douglas Mawson’s spirit of curiosity, courage, and respect for the natural world.
