Aurora Expeditions’ Douglas Mawson sails into Sydney to mark a new era of adventure

• Aurora Expeditions’ new ship, Douglas Mawson, sailed into Sydney Harbour today.
• Her arrival marks an exciting new chapter for adventure travel in Australia.
• Following her Sydney debut, she will depart for Hobart to commence her inaugural voyage.

The brand-new Australian-owned Aurora Expeditions ship, Douglas Mawson, made her debut in Sydney Harbour, arriving at 7:45am and docking at White Bay Cruise Terminal.

Named after Sir Douglas Mawson, one of Australia’s greatest polar explorers and scientists, the purpose-built expedition vessel is set to carry travellers from the wilderness of Antarctica to the coastlines of Europe and Central America.

Her arrival in Sydney highlights Australia’s rising profile in global adventure travel, driven by surging demand for expedition cruising, as well as Aurora Expeditions’ own growth.

Between 2021 and 2026, the Sydney-based company has expanded the number of itineraries it operates by 78 per cent, now offering 73 itineraries annually across seven continents to 26 countries. It is also forecasting a tenfold increase in passenger numbers by 2027 and expects to achieve more than AUD $200 million in gross revenue by 2026.

Greg Mortimer, the Founder of Aurora Expeditions, expressed his excitement about the ship’s homecoming, stating, “Seeing the Douglas Mawson arrive in Sydney feels like welcoming a family member home.”

“She embodies everything Aurora stands for, including a pioneering spirit, a respect for nature and a drive to explore the world with care and curiosity.”

What can you expect on board Douglas Mawson?

Douglas Mawson joins Aurora’s two other purpose-built ships, Sylvia Earle and Greg Mortimer, completing a trio of advanced expedition vessels. All three ships are defined by their signature ULSTEIN X-BOW design, which cuts smoothly through rough seas to reduce impact and deliver far greater stability than a traditional bow.

The ship will also be equipped with a fuel-efficient diesel-electric propulsion system, waste-heat recovery technology, and the latest environmental safeguards, emphasising Aurora’s commitment to low-impact travel.

The small ship will accommodate a maximum of 130 passengers on expedition voyages, also offering more single cabins than any Aurora Expeditions ship, expanding opportunities for solo travellers to join its adventures.

Onboard, guests can enjoy two restaurants and unwind at two bars, or relax in the outdoor heated pool complete with Jacuzzis and a pool bar. A dedicated wellness area features a gym and sauna, while communal spaces, including a library, lecture theatre, and Citizen Science Centre, offer opportunities for learning, exploration and discovery throughout each voyage.

The ship also has purpose-built Zodiac embarkation zones and spacious observation areas to provide access to wildlife encounters and shore landings.

Douglas Mawson’s itineraries

Following her Sydney debut, Douglas Mawson will depart for Hobart, Tasmania, on 27 November 2025 to commence her inaugural voyage, an 11-night round-trip circumnavigation of Tasmania. Titled Coastal Tasmania: Untamed Wilderness, the itinerary starts at $12,316 and offers travellers the chance to discover Tasmania’s most breathtaking coastal walks.

Other itineraries include the In Shackleton’s Footsteps adventure, starting and ending in Ushuaia, Argentina, before crossing the Drake Passage into the Antarctic Peninsula and exploring the Weddell Sea, Elephant Island, Scotia Sea and South Georgia. The 20-day voyage starts at $41,834 per person.

The Special Guests Program will welcome inspiring voices from exploration, science, conservation, art, and culture onboard, including Emma McEwin, writer and Douglas Mawson’s great-granddaughter, to human ecologist Phillipa Ross, the great-great-great-granddaughter of Sir James Clark Ross. Environmental scientist and adventurer Tim Jarvis AM, known for re-enacting Mawson’s and Shackleton’s historic Antarctic expeditions, will headline the maiden voyage.

The ship will also venture to the sub-Antarctic islands, before exploring warm-water regions including Papua New Guinea and Indonesia.

To find out more, go here.