Tory Shepherd, Deciphering Douglas Mawson’s diaries reveals his polar opposite pursuit – exploring the Flinders Ranges, The Guardian, 28 December 2025
Douglas Mawson is remembered as Australia’s greatest Antarctic explorer, the survivor of an epic and terrible journey in 1912 that cost his two companions their lives.
Less well known is that alongside his pioneering polar contribution, Mawson’s lifelong quest became understanding South Australia’s ancient and spectacular Flinders Ranges.Now a dedicated team of volunteers is nearing the end of a two-decade mission to translate Mawson’s “scribbles” from his Australian adventures, which were interspersed with his three Antarctic expeditions.