Aurora is the expedition line I recommend first for Australian clients heading to Antarctica. It's Australian-owned, the expedition team-to-guest ratio is exceptional at 1:8, and the three ships — Greg Mortimer, Sylvia Earle, and the new Douglas Mawson — all feature the Ulstein X-BOW hull design that genuinely makes the Drake Passage crossing more comfortable. They cap polar voyages at 130 passengers, which means more Zodiac landings and more time on the ice. The vibe is adventurous but not rugged — you're still coming back to a heated pool and a very good dinner.
Aurora Expeditions was born from a passion for polar exploration. Co-founded in 1991 by mountaineer Greg Mortimer — the first Australian to summit Everest — and his wife Margaret, the company began by taking small groups of adventurous travellers to Antarctica and the Arctic aboard chartered vessels. Three decades later, Aurora operates its own fleet of three purpose-built expedition ships: the Greg Mortimer (2019), Sylvia Earle (2022), and the newest addition, Douglas Mawson, which made her inaugural voyage from Sydney in late 2025.
All three vessels feature the revolutionary Ulstein X-BOW hull design, an inverted bow that cuts through ocean swells rather than riding over them, resulting in smoother crossings, reduced vibrations, and improved fuel efficiency. Combined with Rolls-Royce dynamic stabilisers, this technology makes the notorious Drake Passage crossing to Antarctica noticeably more comfortable than on conventional expedition ships. The ships are small by design — polar voyages are capped at 130 passengers — ensuring that every guest gets meaningful time ashore, with multiple Zodiac excursions daily and an expedition staff-to-guest ratio of approximately 1:8.
The expedition programme is activity-driven. Beyond the standard Zodiac landings and wildlife observation, Aurora offers optional adventures including sea kayaking, stand-up paddleboarding, snowshoeing, polar camping, and even scuba diving beneath Antarctic ice. The onboard team comprises marine biologists, glaciologists, ornithologists, and polar historians who deliver lectures and lead every landing. Back on the ship, the experience is comfortable rather than opulent — heated outdoor pools, two restaurants with quality cuisine, well-appointed cabins, and a lecture theatre — but the focus remains firmly on what is happening outside the window rather than onboard entertainment.
Aurora’s destination range extends well beyond the poles. The fleet sails to Patagonia, South Georgia, the Falkland Islands, Svalbard, Iceland, Greenland, the Scottish Isles, Japan, and the Kimberley coast in Australia’s northwest. From the 2026 season, every sailing will offer 10 dedicated solo cabins with no single supplement — a meaningful commitment to solo travellers in a segment where single supplements are often punishing. For Australians seeking a polar expedition with an Australian-owned operator that prioritises expertise, intimacy, and genuine adventure, Aurora sets the standard.
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