A unique culinary and historical event is set to take place in Hobart this December, recreating the historic lunch that celebrated Sir Douglas Mawson's Antarctic expedition over a century ago with a modern twist.
Reimagining History at Hadley's Orient Hotel
On December 11, 2025, the Mawson's Huts Foundation will host "Reimagining Mawson's Lunch — An Evening Honouring Antarctic Legacy" at the very location where the original gathering occurred. The event takes place at Hadley's Orient Hotel on 34 Murray Street in the heart of Hobart, just a short walk from the waterfront and Salamanca.
This intimate dinner for 60 guests will feature a five-course menu recreated by Hadley's head chef, who will reinterpret the original 1911 luncheon with contemporary culinary techniques. Tickets are priced at $225, with all proceeds supporting the Mawson's Huts Foundation's conservation work at Cape Denison.
Celebrating Antarctic Legacy and Women's Contributions
The evening represents a partnership between the Mawson's Huts Foundation and the Antarctic Women's Network, celebrating both the historic expedition and the ongoing contributions of women in Antarctic science, exploration, and cultural heritage.
An Aurora expedition cruise company spokesperson explained: "This intimate event recreates the historic 1911 luncheon held for Douglas Mawson and the men of the Australasian Antarctic Expedition before they departed south. Hadley's head chef will reimagine the original menu with a modern touch, bringing a remarkable moment in Antarctic history to life."
Guests will enjoy presentations and performances honouring Mawson's life and achievements, along with an exhibition featuring Norwegian explorer Captain Roald Amundsen, who stayed at Hadley's after returning from the South Pole in 1912.
The Original 1911 Expedition and Its Remarkable Team
The historic lunch celebrated the imminent departure of the Australasian Antarctic Expedition (1911-1914), which sailed from Hobart aboard the ship Aurora under Captain John King Davis on December 2, 1911.
The expedition team included specialists with fascinating dual roles:
- Eric Webb served as magnetician, taking daily magnetic measurements
- Robert Bage worked as assistant magnetician and astronomer
- Archibald McLean acted as chief medical officer and bacteriologist
- Alfred Hodgeman was cartographer and sketch artist who designed the expedition huts
- Frank Hurley documented the journey as photographer and cinematographer
- Frank Bickerton managed the expedition's converted Vickers aircraft "air tractor"
Other team members included Percy Correll (mechanic and assistant physicist), Charles Laseron (taxidermist and biological collector), and specialists in biology, geology, wireless communications, and dog handling.
Hadley's Hotel: A Location Steeped in History
Hadley's Orient Hotel itself represents a significant historical site, dating back to 1834. The establishment previously housed Tasmania's first rollerskating rink in 1867 and was where Tasmania's first ice creams were made in 1850.
Visitors to the hotel can now use smartphones or tablets to scan QR codes and access audio stories about the expedition members' lunch and Mawson's Antarctic achievements. The audio experience features narration by actor Ben Winspear with custom soundscapes by Tasmanian musicians Emily Sheppard and Yyan Ng.
This December event promises to bring Antarctic history to life while supporting the preservation of the historic huts that tell Australia's first Antarctic story at Cape Denison.
