HOBARTICA EAST

Macquarie Island — halfway to Antarctica, fully wild — is home to one of Australia’s most isolated research stations. And while we can’t quite bring you the biting wind or penguin colonies, we can deliver the sub-Antarctic vibes straight to the Bellerive waterfront.

Step inside Macca Dome — our Antarctic geodesic hub brought to life with icy projections by award-winning filmmaker Dr Frederique Olivier. Then head outside to scan the night sky through telescopes, or bump into real-life Antarcticans in unexpected places. Chat with researchers from the Macquarie Island Research Foundation, and explore the island’s wild terrain through immersive VR.

Don’t miss musician Michael Fortescue performing live just outside the dome.

It’s all part of Hobartica East — your chance to explore the southern frontier without leaving the Eastern Shore. But for those who want to venture further, catch a free night ferry to all the merriment across the river at Hobartica.

DR FREDERIQUE OLIVIER  After 20 seasons in Antarctica, Frederique Olivier has officially spent more time with penguins than most people spend on holiday—starting as a polar scientist and ending up lying in the snow filming emperor penguins for the BBC, all in the name of science, storytelling, and staying just warm enough to press record.