Hobart to Casey and return

In the days before ice runways and scheduled commercial jet services, the only way to and from Australian Antarctic stations was by ship.

The journey from Hobart to Casey was usually a voyage of around 10 days across the wild and stormy Southern Ocean. After days of huge swells and seemingly endless rolling and pitching, the ship enters the ice. At first just a few icebergs scattered in open sea. Then more and more icebergs and increasing pack ice. Pushing further southwards the sea becomes calm, damped by the pack ice, and soon the ship is gliding smoothly through a pristine icy wonderland, sparkling in the sun. It is as though we have travelled to another planet or time, almost surreal, a miracle of nature. Cameras click and whir in frenzied efforts to capture these moments, but all images will fail to convey the full magnificence of the scene. First ice is an experience never to be forgotten.

"The extraordinary jewellery box of Antarctica has opened and there are greater treasures in store as we enter the pack. This will always be my favourite part of the voyage"
Phillipa Foster, 40 South, No.2