A hut built for the windiest place on earth
From the outside it looks like a timber shed. Its steep pyramid roof was designed so the gales would hold it down and not tear it off. Inside is a full-scale replica of the main hut at Cape Denison, Commonwealth Bay. Mawson called that coast “the home of the blizzard”, and his book about the expedition carries the same title.
The Australasian Antarctic Expedition sailed from Hobart aboard the Aurora in December 1911. That’s the reason the replica stands here, a few hundred metres from the wharves the ship left from. The museum supports the conservation of the original huts, which are still standing in Antarctica.
What’s inside the replica
The hut is small. You see straight away how little room the men had through two polar winters. The exhibits tell the expedition’s story, including the Far Eastern Party sledging journey:
- Belgrave Ninnis died when he fell into a crevasse with a sledge carrying most of the food.
- Xavier Mertz died on the march back.
- Mawson walked on alone and reached base just after the Aurora had sailed. He had to spend a second winter on the ice.
Frank Hurley was the expedition photographer. His images are a large part of how the world first saw the Antarctic coast south of Australia.
Finding it on the waterfront
The museum is on the corner of Morrison Street and Argyle Street, right on the Hobart waterfront. It’s an easy walk from the city centre, and it fits neatly into a harbour loop:
- Constitution Dock and Mawson Place: next door, with fish punts and the statue-lined wharf area.
- Tasmanian Museum and Art Gallery (TMAG): a short walk up Argyle Street. It has more Antarctic and Tasmanian history.
- Salamanca Place: the sandstone warehouses are about ten minutes south along the water.
- Franklin Wharf and Brooke Street Pier: ferries leave here for MONA.
Hobart is still a working gateway to Antarctica. Research and supply ships often tie up along this same stretch of harbour.
Timing a visit around the harbour
It’s open 10am to 5pm every day of the week, with the same hours on weekends. The hut is compact. Get there by 4pm so you have time for the displays and don’t feel rushed out at closing.
This is one of the quieter stops on the waterfront and is easy to slot in between bigger plans. On Saturdays, Salamanca Market draws crowds to the area through the morning. Coming early, close to the 10am opening, or in the afternoon after the market keeps the hut calmer.
Admission prices are posted at the door and on the museum’s official website, so check there before you go. Card and contactless payment are standard across Hobart. Bring a layer even in summer, because the wind off the Derwent cuts across the dock. Read up on the Far Eastern Party before you visit and the cramped room will make far more sense.
Frequently asked questions
Where exactly is Mawson's Huts Replica Museum?
It's on the corner of Morrison Street and Argyle Street on the Hobart waterfront, next to Constitution Dock and a short walk from Salamanca Place and TMAG.
What are the opening hours?
It's open daily from 10am to 5pm, weekends included. Arrive by about 4pm so you have enough time inside.
How long should I spend there?
Allow 45 minutes to an hour. The replica hut is compact, so it's easy to combine with a waterfront walk or a visit to the Tasmanian Museum and Art Gallery.
Why is the replica in Hobart?
Douglas Mawson's Australasian Antarctic Expedition sailed from Hobart on the Aurora in December 1911. The city is still a gateway for Antarctic voyages, and the museum supports conservation of the original huts at Cape Denison.
What else is nearby?
Constitution Dock and Mawson Place are next door. The Tasmanian Museum and Art Gallery is up Argyle Street, Salamanca Place is about ten minutes south, and the MONA ferry leaves from Brooke Street Pier.
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