We are all in resupply mode still but the end is nigh! Plus some remarkable views of how the island has changed in the past thirteen years.

Resupply update

On Macca we are still in resupply mode although we have ticked a lot of boxes this week. The following photos show some of what has been going on.

From next week it will be the 72nd ANARE’s turn to bring you the latest from this wonderfully green island.

The waste accumulated on station waiting to be loaded onto the ship for Return To Australia
One of the helicopters bringing passengers to shore from the Aurora Australis
Three expeditioners walking around station during resupply with high visibility vests on
A weather balloon release with the ship in the background
One of the resupply helicopters carrying a container full of food out to the field huts scattered around Macquarie Island
A helicopter brings in a sling load to station with the Aurora Australis in the background

The greening of Macca

Macquarie Island is certainly an island of contrasts for those of us that have been visiting for a long time.

While working on the west coast near Flat Creek recently I managed to re-take some photographs I originally took in 2006 to illustrate rabbit damage, which now provides a visual demonstration of vegetation recovery post rabbit eradication.

The island has always been described as the ‘Great Green Sponge’ but until this year it hasn’t fit the description for me. The 2006 photos show why.

It’s been an amazing rollercoaster journey having been involved in the pre-eradication vegetation monitoring, the eradication project itself and now monitoring the island’s recovery. I feel a lot of satisfaction with the direction the island is now heading.

Luke Gadd

Mawson Point on Macquarie Island in 2006
Mawson Point on Macquarie Island in January 2019
Flat Creek royal penguin colony on Macquarie Island in 2006
Flat Creek royal penguin colony on Macquarie Island in January 2019
Duck Lagoon on Macquarie Island in 2006
Duck Lagoon on Macquarie Island in January 2019
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