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This evening, the Aurora Australis is tracking steadily at around 9 knots adjacent to the South West corner of Tasmania under a full moon.
We're approximately 25 nautical miles from Maatsuyker Island, Australia's Southern-most inhabited point and also the site of our Southern-most lighthouse. Maatsuyker is also one of the last 'manned' lighthouses in Australia, with two volunteers managed by TasParks being deployed to the island every 6 months to look after the light and the associated light keeper's house.
Maatsuker's light is already visible from the Aurora's darkened bridge, flashing 3 times in 30 seconds. While it's still distant, it is the first 'sighting' of Australia, and a few expeditioners joined the Officer and crew on watch to mark the occasion.
The vessel is proceeding on an Easterly heading almost parallel to the rugged and wild coastline of Tasmania's Southwest, which includes the Maatsuyker island group. This area is one of the most extensive areas of uninterrupted coastal wilderness remaining in Tasmania, stretching from the township of Strahan on the West Coast, all the way to Southport one of the last true townships encountered on the road South from Hobart. The South West is accessible only by boat or aircraft, with seasonal visitors often flying or sailing in to pristine Bathurst harbour, either to observe the abundant wildlife and birdlife (including Australia's most critically endangered bird, the Orange-bellied parrot), or to commence one of the most arduous unsupported multi-day treks within Southern Australia, the South Coast track. The track covers just over 90 kilometres of heath and coastal swamplands, expansive river valleys and inlets stained a dark brown by the leaf litter from the surrounding forests (and complete with waist-deep and icy cold track crossings), long isolated beaches, mountain ranges rising more than 800 metres above sea level, fragile alpine habitat, dense temperate rainforest, drier casuarina forests, coastal banksia and sclerophyll forest and fields of Tasmanian red and white waratah.
The hardships encountered on the track are eclipsed by the region's natural beauty and the appeal of its genuine isolation. Large flocks of yellow-tailed black cockatoos are frequently seen or at least heard, mature white-bellied sea eagles nest all along the coast, with wallabies, pademelons (a small, dark-coloured member of the kangaroo family), possums, tiger-quolls and bandicoots all encountered regularly. There are also periodic sightings of elephant, fur and leopard seals along the lonely beaches, with tiger snakes also inhabiting the coastal fringes. The region's imposing peaks and spectacular coastline will regrettably remain invisible to us as we transit close by overnight, but by early morning the Southern reaches of the Huon river and the D'Entrecasteaux Channel, as well as South Bruny island, should be able to be seen clearly from the upper decks.
There'll be a fair bit of activity about the Aurora's main accommodation decks through the morning tomorrow as expeditioners make final preparations for our arrival, and clean their cabins and common spaces ready for the incoming group of expeditioners bound for Macquarie Island on Voyage 4 in a few days' time. Around midday, the vessel will be tracking closer to the Northern tip of Bruny island, ready to commence the final transit to Hobart's Macquarie wharves, where 131 expeditioners and crew will finally arrive home to reunite with friends and family after experiencing weeks or months within the stunning Antarctic environment.
On behalf of the 106 expeditioners, we offer our genuine thanks and appreciation to the Master, Mr Gerry O'Doherty, and crew of the Aurora for their efforts supporting a successful Antarctic voyage. We also wish Esther Rodewald, Jason Ahrens and their teams at Mawson and Davis stations respectiively, all the best for the 2018 Winter.
Cheers & farewell,
Mark Skinner & Dr Frederique Olivier
V3 Voyage Management
Map
A map showing Australia and Antarctica. The map shows the journey of one voyage that has occured in the season, with each route highlighted in a distinct colour.