Commonwealth Bay was Australia’s gateway to Antarctica.

In 1912, Douglas Mawson established the headquarters of the Australasian Antarctic Expedition (AAE) at Commonwealth Bay.

This is where the 18 members of the Cape Denison party lived for up to 2 years. The wooden buildings still stand today.

The ferocity of the weather has taken its toll. The Australian Government provides grants to assist in the maintenance of these structures.

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