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Architect-Designed Kenmore Property Sets Non-Riverfront Suburb Record at $4.101 Million

A sprawling single-level family home at 45 Scenic Road in Kenmore sold under the hammer for $4.101 million on the weekend, setting a new record as the highest price ever achieved for a non-riverfront property in the suburb and ranking as Kenmore’s third-highest sale of all time.

The result landed as the top sale across south-east Queensland for the weekend, drawing a crowd of around 200 onlookers and six registered buyers, though only two local families actively competed at the auction. The underbidder, a young family, opened proceedings at $3.65 million before a series of $50,000 and then $25,000 bids pushed the price to $4 million. Smaller increments followed until the hammer fell above the undisclosed reserve.

A Home Built by a Family of Serial Builders

The Scenic Road property is the latest project from a family with an unusually deep relationship with residential design and construction. A practising architect within the family designed the Kenmore home, marking the sixth or seventh residence the family has designed and built for their own use. The decision to sell now comes with a characteristically ambitious reason: the owners’ daughter has recently graduated as an architect, and the family plans to design and build their next home together as a combined creative project.

Built in 2023 in collaboration with Giova Fellows Quod Architecture, the home sits on a 2,023-square-metre block and delivers 798 square metres of single-level living. The design incorporates landscaped gardens, a pavilion, sun terraces, a pool and a billiards and cinema room. Buyers rarely find single-level homes of this scale on sites of this size in Kenmore and across Brisbane’s western suburbs, where developers typically deliver large homes across multiple storeys.

Flood-Free Position Underpins Premium Result

The property’s flood-free status played a meaningful role in its appeal. Kenmore sits in a catchment where flooding is a genuine concern for sections of the suburb, particularly in pockets closer to the Brisbane River and Moggill Creek. Buyers seeking large-block, architect-quality homes in the western suburbs often face a trade-off between size and flood risk, and 45 Scenic Road sits outside that compromise entirely.

Co-selling agent Jason Scott of McGrath Paddington noted the home’s scale, design quality and flood-free position as the key drivers of buyer interest, describing the combination of a recently built, single-level home of this size as genuinely rare in the current market. The result, he said, showed that high-quality properties without compromises continued to attract strong demand even as conditions became more variable. One registered bidder withdrew before the auction after deciding against bidding unconditionally, citing exposure to recent sharp falls in global share markets.

A Patchy Market Around a Standout Result

The Kenmore sale stood out against a broader auction market showing early signs of caution. Across south-east Queensland, 168 auctions were scheduled for the weekend. Domain recorded a preliminary clearance rate of 51 per cent from 113 reported results, with 22 homes withdrawn. Withdrawn auctions count as unsold in clearance rate calculations, placing the effective rate lower than the headline figure suggests.

LJ Hooker head of research and economics Matthew Tiller described Brisbane’s weekend results as resilient overall but noted a noticeable softening in buyer and bidder confidence at individual auctions, driven by the recent interest rate movement and pressure on household budgets. Tight listing supply continues to support prices across Brisbane, with sellers offering far fewer properties than buyers need to shift the market balance across most price brackets.

Strong Demand for Exceptional Homes

In a suburb where the median house price sits around $1.4 million and most homes date from the 1970s to 1990s, the market delivered a notable milestone when a non-riverfront property sold for $4.101 million at auction. It confirms that premium, architect-designed properties in flood-safe pockets of Kenmore now command prices well above anything previously achieved outside the riverside precinct, and signals the depth of demand available for genuinely exceptional product.

Kenmore remains one of Brisbane’s most consistently owner-occupied western suburbs, with high rates of long-term family ownership, strong school catchments across both state and private options, and proximity to the CBD via Moggill Road and the Legacy Way tunnel. For buyers seeking large-block, quality-built homes within a reasonable commute of the city, it continues to attract serious competition when the right property comes to market.

For information on current listings in Kenmore, contact McGrath Paddington through mcgrath.com.au.

Published 27-March-2026.

Security Camera Relocated to Kookaburra Park to Address Hooning Concerns in Karana Downs

A security camera assigned to the Pullenvale Ward has been relocated to Kookaburra Park in Karana Downs, following resident concerns about an increase in hooning activity in the park’s carpark.

Read: Reminder to assess your business security measures

Cr Greg Adermann announced the move on Facebook, saying he approved the relocation at the request of local residents. Cr Adermann noted that while the ward has no law enforcement powers over hooning, the camera runs around the clock and footage is passed on to local police to assess and act on as they see fit.

Kookaburra Park is located at 54 Caringal Drive, Karana Downs. The park includes a playground, a 200-metre bike riding track opened in July 2023, picnic shelters, electric BBQs, and access to the Brisbane River.

Previous deployments

Cr Adermann said the camera had previously been deployed at Cicada Park in Chapel Hill and Westaway Park in Moggill, and that its presence at both locations led to a reduction in anti-social behaviour. A separate camera requested for Allawah Road in Chuwar has also been capturing footage of hooning activity for forwarding to police. One resident commented on Cr Adermann’s post that hooning on Allawah Road had anecdotally reduced since that camera was installed.

In February 2025, Queensland Police intercepted several vehicles allegedly driving dangerously along Allawah Road. A 19-year-old Leichhardt man was charged with dangerous operation of a motor vehicle, driving an unregistered and uninsured vehicle, driving whilst unlicensed by court order, and attaching false number plates, according to Queensland Police Service.

Read: High speeding motorcycle riders arrested in Brisbane by specialist unit

Queensland hooning laws

Under Queensland law, hooning is defined as anti-social behaviour in a motor vehicle, including speeding, street racing, burnouts, and playing loud music from a car stereo. The laws apply to any driver of a vehicle, regardless of ownership.

Queensland’s anti-hooning legislation has been strengthened on multiple occasions. Incidents can be reported via the dedicated hotline 13HOON (13 4666) or online, with callers asked to provide vehicle descriptions, locations, and times. Other driving complaints, including dangerous driving, careless driving, and racing or speed trials on public roads, can also be submitted through Queensland’s online reporting system.

Published 20-March-2026

Brookfield State School Partners with Kenmore Rotary, Builds Solar Lighting to Pacific Communities

Photo Credit: Rotary Club of Kenmore/Facebook

At Brookfield State School, a classroom activity has extended beyond the school grounds, with Year 6 students assembling solar lights for children in other parts of the world who lack electricity.

A classroom with a wider view

Inside the classroom, the task was simple but meaningful. Students worked side by side, carefully putting together Solar Buddy lights piece by piece. What might have felt like a hands-on lesson in following instructions soon took on greater weight as students learned where the lights would go and who would use them.

The session, supported by Rotary Club of Kenmore, introduced the concept of energy poverty, helping students understand how the absence of reliable electricity shapes daily life for many families. It also placed renewable energy into a real-world context, linking classroom learning to global challenges.

Photo Credit: Rotary Club of Kenmore/Facebook

As the lights came together, so did a sense of shared purpose. Students worked in small groups, supporting each other through the process. Alongside the assembly, each child wrote a short letter to accompany the light — a small but personal gesture to someone they may never meet.

Lighting the path to learning

The finished lights will be shipped to communities in Papua New Guinea, Fiji and the Solomon Islands, where access to electricity is limited or unavailable. In these places, a simple light can make a difference to a child’s ability to read, study and complete schoolwork after dark.

The initiative is part of the work of SolarBuddy, an Australian charity focused on reducing energy poverty through practical solutions and education programs. By partnering with schools, the program connects students in Australia with communities facing very different circumstances.

Support for the session at Brookfield State School included funding from local community sponsors and representatives, helping ensure the materials and kits were available for students to take part.

A connection that reaches beyond the classroom

The activity reflects a longer commitment from Kenmore Rotary to involve schools in projects that combine service with learning. Over several years, similar sessions have seen more than 1,200 students in energy-poor communities benefit from solar lights assembled by Australian students.

The experience also provided a moment to reflect on the contrast between the students’ own daily routines and those of children elsewhere, while also showing that even small actions can contribute to broader change.

Published 20-March-2026

Quincy the Quokka is Looking for Love in Fig Tree Pocket

Photo Credit: Lone Pine Koala Sanctuary/ Facebook

Did you know that Brisbane now has a quokka? The pint-sized marsupial, Quincy, now calls the Lone Pine Koala Sanctuary in Fig Tree Pocket his home.

A Small Traveller from the South

Quincy recently completed his journey from the Sydney Zoo to settle into the the Lone Pine Koala Sanctuary. At just one year old, the young male weighs only 1.8 kilograms, though experts at the sanctuary expect him to reach a full adult weight of approximately 4 kilograms as he matures.

Since his arrival, he has spent his time adjusting to his new surroundings in a private area, where he has been snacking on a healthy diet of sweet potatoes, carrots, and corn.

The Search for a Companion

While the newcomer is currently enjoying a solo lifestyle, his caretakers are already looking to change his relationship status. The team at the sanctuary has nicknamed their current mission “Quokka Wants a Wife” because male quokkas often struggle to live together in the same space.

Finding a female partner for Quincy is the preferred way to ensure he has company in his new habitat. Liana Anderson, the head macropod keeper, noted that bringing this specific species to the area is a significant achievement for her staff and the local community.

More Than Just a Famous Smile

The quokka is famous around the world for its “smiling” expression and its popularity in social media photos, but the sanctuary staff views Quincy as an important tool for education. By drawing local families and visitors to the Kenmore area to see such a charismatic animal, the sanctuary can teach the public about the importance of protecting the environment.

Ms. Anderson explained that when people feel a connection to a famous animal like a quokka, they are more likely to support the protection of habitats that house many other less famous Australian creatures.

Published Date 16-March-2026

Brookfield Hoarder House Draws 40 Bidders, Fetches $1.28-M at Auction

A Brookfield property that couldn’t be walked through, hadn’t been cleaned out, and went to auction without buyers ever setting foot inside just sold for $1.281 million, with 40 registered bidders turning up to try their luck.

Read: Sea Memories and Simple Meals: Brookfield Green Resident Colin Fuller Turns 100

The property at 77 Nioka Street went under the hammer on 10 February, listed and auctioned by the Queensland Public Trustee.

The listing was refreshingly blunt about what buyers were in for: “Please note that this property is heavily overgrown and the house is full of items. There is a great deal to do, but the pay-off is there in the long run with this amazing hectare of land in one of Brisbane’s most exclusive suburbs.”

Photo credit: The Public Trustee of Queensland

No inspections were permitted. No price guide was offered. And still, 40 people registered to bid.

So what were they actually buying? On paper, it’s a solid brick four-bedroom home with a dining and living room, study, kitchen, basement, double carport and a non-certified pool — all sitting on a full hectare of land just 17 kilometres west of the Brisbane CBD.

In practice, it’s hard to look past the land as the primary drawcard. Brookfield has long been known as a suburb where large blocks rarely change hands, bordering Kenmore and Chapel Hill in the city’s sought-after western corridor.

The listing painted a vivid picture of the potential: “If this secluded paradise wasn’t enough, you’re also surrounded by lots of beautiful green spaces with hikes and views galore. Local natural attractions include Moggill Conservation Park, Gap Creek Reserve, JC Slaughter Falls, Gold Creek Reservoir, Brookfield Showgrounds and Mount Coot-tha Forest to name a few.

“This is an amazing opportunity to turn this large block into your own slice of paradise. Take inspiration from your neighbours with large country style homes, pools, tennis courts, or design it your way.”

Anyone surprised by the result hasn’t been watching the Brisbane market closely. According to PropTrack, Greater Brisbane’s median house price hit a new record of $1.203 million in February 2026, a rise of 14.7 per cent in just the past year, cementing the city’s position as Australia’s second most expensive capital city behind Sydney.

That kind of growth has a predictable effect on buyer behaviour. When a hectare in Brookfield hits the market, even one that requires considerable work to bring back to its potential, serious buyers pay attention. Brisbane’s housing supply has remained persistently below demand, with population growth creating pressure for tens of thousands of new dwellings that simply haven’t been built, a dynamic that continues to fuel competition across the market.

Read: A Century Strong at Historic Upper Brookfield Mango Farm

For the buyer of 77 Nioka Street, the road ahead is considerable. There’s a property to clear, an overgrown block to tame, a pool to certify, and an entire renovation to plan from scratch. But in a suburb where neighbours have built country-style homes with pools and tennis courts on similar-sized blocks, the upside is easy enough to see, which is precisely why 39 others registered to bid.

Published 11-March-2026

Moggill’s Colin Hobson Named Finalist in Queensland’s Bus Driver of the Year Awards

Moggill local Colin Hobson has been named a finalist in the 2025 Queensland Bus Driver of the Year Awards, and his community is rallying behind him.

Read: Moggill Emerges as One of Brisbane’s Fastest-Growing Suburbs Amid Housing Market Shift

From lattes to school runs

Before taking on his current role, Mr Hobson was a familiar face in the local café scene. He and his wife Tamara ran the popular Moccabella Café at Bellbowrie Plaza and One Table Cafe at Kenmore Hills for many years before stepping back from the demands of small business life.

When the couple stepped back from the demands of running a small business, Mr Hobson took on a new role serving the community. He joined Southern Cross Transit as a school bus driver, driving the semi-rural S60 route linking Chuwar and Indooroopilly, a run that clocks up roughly 160 kilometres each day.

For some students, the daily commute stretches to nearly two hours each way, so Mr Hobson has made it his business to ensure the journey is something kids actually look forward to. Fridays have become a highlight, with music trivia and sing-alongs a regular fixture, and no birthday goes unmarked — the whole bus joins in for a chorus of “Happy Birthday.”

About the awards

The Queensland Bus Driver of the Year Awards are run by Translink to recognise drivers who go above and beyond to make travel safe, friendly and reliable for everyday Queenslanders.

This year, more than 1,300 nominations came in from across the state. From that pool, a judging panel selected nine finalists across three categories:

South East Queensland Bus Driver of the Year — recognising drivers serving the state’s busiest urban communities
Regional Bus Driver of the Year — honouring those keeping passengers connected in rural and remote Queensland
School Bus Driver of the Year — celebrating drivers dedicated to getting children to and from school safely every day

Mr Hobson is one of three finalists in the School Bus Driver of the Year category, competing for a title that recognises drivers dedicated to getting children to and from school safely every day.

Read: Petition for Full Bus Services for Western Areas of Pullenvale Ward Launched

Cast your vote

Voting for the 2025 Queensland Bus Driver of the Year Awards is open now and every vote counts. To support Mr Hobson in the School Bus Driver of the Year category, head to Translink’s official voting page and select Colin Hobson.

According to Cr Greg Adermann, who publicly backed Mr Hobson’s nomination, it is precisely his customer service mindset that sets him apart.

“I hope the many local residents who know his obsession with providing good customer service will do likewise,” Cr Adermann wrote, urging followers to cast their votes.

Votes must be submitted before 11:59pm AEST on Sunday 22 March 2026. Winners will be announced in April 2026.

Published 9-March-2026

The ‘Koala Woman’ from Brookfield Honoured on International Women’s Day

As Australia marks International Women’s Day, one of the country’s longest-serving wildlife advocates is being recognised for nearly four decades spent campaigning to protect one of the nation’s most iconic animals. Brookfield resident Deborah Tabart OAM, chair of the Australian Koala Foundation (AKF), has dedicated almost 40 years to raising awareness about the decline of koalas and pushing governments to strengthen protections for the species and its habitat.

Often referred to as “the Koala woman”, Ms Tabart has been a central figure in the conservation movement since the late 1980s. Over that time, she has helped turn what was once considered a niche environmental issue into a national conversation about the future of koalas in Australia.

This year also marks a milestone for the organisation she leads. The Australian Koala Foundation is celebrating its 40th anniversary – four decades of research, advocacy and campaigning aimed at safeguarding the species and the forests they depend on.

For much of that time, Ms Tabart has been one of the loudest voices calling for stronger protection.

Long before koalas were officially recognised as a threatened species in parts of Australia, she was warning of population declines and the impact of land clearing, urban development and habitat fragmentation.

Those concerns were formally recognised in 2022 when the conservation status of koalas in Queensland, New South Wales and the Australian Capital Territory was upgraded from vulnerable to endangered.

Conservation groups, including the Australian Koala Foundation, had spent years urging the federal government to acknowledge the severity of the decline.

Ms Tabart has also advocated for national legislation to protect koala habitat, including a proposed Australian Koala Protection Act. This is law she believes would provide stronger safeguards for the species across the country.

While much of her work has involved lobbying policymakers and speaking internationally about wildlife conservation, Ms Tabart’s advocacy has always been rooted close to home.

From her base in Brisbane’s western suburbs, she has helped lead campaigns to protect koala habitat and draw attention to the pressures facing the species in rapidly growing urban areas.

As the Australian Koala Foundation enters its fifth decade, the focus remains on the same challenge that first drew Ms Tabart into the cause: ensuring that koalas continue to survive in the wild.

Published 6-March-2026

Lone Pine Koala Sanctuary Launches After-Dark Corporate Experience From Its Fig Tree Pocket Home

Lone Pine Koala Sanctuary at 708 Jesmond Road, Fig Tree Pocket has launched a new Twilight Koala Experience, an exclusive after-hours wildlife encounter designed specifically for corporate groups, incentive programs and private functions of up to 100 guests. While the evening offering focuses on this intimate scale, the sanctuary has also expanded its daytime capacity to accommodate significantly larger delegations within standard operating hours.

The new offering adds an evening dimension to one of Brisbane’s most iconic destinations, giving corporate visitors a guided koala encounter led by the sanctuary’s wildlife team after the regular day visitors have gone home. Groups can also include an after-dark wildlife tour of the sanctuary’s nocturnal precinct, drinks and dinner at the Riverside Café overlooking the Brisbane River, and the option of arriving by river cruise rather than road, a touch that taps into the sanctuary’s long history as a river destination that dates back nearly a century.

For Kenmore and Fig Tree Pocket residents, the development is a reminder of just how significant their local landmark is on the broader tourism and events map, and how it continues to evolve nearly a hundred years after it first opened.

A Heritage Site With a New Chapter

Lone Pine Koala Sanctuary opened in 1927 as a refuge for sick, injured and orphaned koalas at a time when the species was being killed for its fur, founded by conservationist Claude Reid with just two koalas named Jack and Jill. The sanctuary’s name comes from a solitary hoop pine planted by the Clarkson family on the original 4.6-hectare site, and the complex has grown through amalgamated land purchases to its current 18 hectares along the northern bank of the Brisbane River.

Cruise to Lone Pine Koala Sanctuary — Photo Credit: Koala and River Cruises

From its earliest days, the sanctuary was marketed as a river destination, promoted as “the most beautiful trip in Australia” at a time when Brisbane families were discovering the leisure possibilities of the motor car. That river connection has never been lost. The Mirimar river cruise has been ferrying passengers from South Bank to Lone Pine for more than 70 years, and the new corporate offering explicitly includes arrival by river as a premium option, connecting modern corporate guests to the same scenic journey that Brisbane families have taken across generations.

During the Second World War, Lone Pine gained international recognition when American servicemen stationed in Brisbane visited the sanctuary to see native Australian wildlife, including a famous visit from General Douglas MacArthur’s wife, Jean. Today it holds Guinness World Records recognition as the world’s first and largest koala sanctuary, housing over 100 koalas and more than 70 species of native Australian wildlife across its riverside bushland setting.

What the Twilight Koala Experience Offers Corporate Groups

The Twilight Koala Experience was developed in direct response to Brisbane’s growing corporate events sector and the increasing appetite for premium, after-hours experiences that feel uniquely Australian. The guided koala encounter is led by the sanctuary’s wildlife team, giving guests close contact with the animals alongside education about koala conservation and Lone Pine’s ongoing commitment to wildlife protection.

The corporate package is designed as a complete event solution, combining the wildlife encounter with dining at the Riverside Café, the option of a full after-dark tour of the nocturnal precinct where Tasmanian devils, wombats, echidnas and small macropods can be observed in their natural evening behaviours, and arrival by river cruise from South Bank’s Cultural Centre Wharf. The setting, just 12 kilometres from Brisbane’s CBD, makes Lone Pine accessible for conference delegates and incentive groups without the logistics of a long transfer.

Beyond the new twilight offering, Lone Pine is also expanding its daytime corporate and incentive programmes, enabling the sanctuary to host significantly larger groups within standard operating hours. General manager Lyndon Discombe noted that corporate groups are no longer seeking standard event venues but meaningful experiences that create purpose and connection, and that the daytime expansion provides flexibility for conference organisers seeking scale and accessibility in a single venue.

Plan Your Visit

Lone Pine Koala Sanctuary is located at 708 Jesmond Road, Fig Tree Pocket, approximately 12 kilometres from Brisbane’s CBD. The sanctuary is open every day from 9am to 5pm for general visitors. The Mirimar river cruise departs from Cultural Centre Wharf at South Bank at 10am daily, arriving at Lone Pine approximately 75 minutes later, with the return journey departing at 1.30pm.

Corporate event enquiries and bookings can be made through their website. General admission tickets and wildlife encounter bookings are available here. The sanctuary can also be reached directly on (07) 3378 1366.

Published 26-February-2026.

West Brisbane Sports Results Feb 20-22

Sat, February 21, 2026 (Allianz Stadium) – A-League – Men – Round 18
• Sydney FC 1 | Brisbane Roar FC 0

Sun, February 22, 2026 (Spencer Park) – A-League – Women – Round 18
• Brisbane Roar FC 0 | Adelaide United FC 2

Sat, February 21, 2026 (St Georges Park – St George Willawong FC – Field 1) – FQPL1 – Men – Round 1
• St George Willawong 1 | Broadbeach United 5

Fri, February 20, 2026 (Bulimba Memorial Park – Southside Eagles FC – Field 1) – Kappa Pro Series – Women – Regional Round 1
• Southside Eagles 0 | UQFC 0

Fri, February 20, 2026 (Walton Bridge Reserve – The Gap FC – Field 1) – Kappa Pro Series – Women – Regional Round 1
• The Gap FC 0 | Logan Lightning 2

Sat, February 21, 2026 (Goodwin Park – Olympic FC – Field 1) – NPL – Men – Round 1
• Olympic FC 2 | Lions FC 1

Sun, February 22, 2026 (Meakin Park – Field 1) – NPL – Men – Round 1
• Brisbane Roar B 1 | Brisbane City 3

Sat, February 21, 2026 (Heath Park – Eastern Suburbs FC – Field 1) – NPL – Women – Round 3
• Eastern Suburbs 4 | Brisbane City 2

Sat, February 21, 2026 (Goodwin Park – Olympic FC – Field 1) – NPL – Women – Round 3
• Olympic FC 0 | Lions FC 0

Fri, February 20, 2026 (Brisbane Entertainment Centre) – NBL – Men – Round 22
• Brisbane Bullets 77 | Sydney Kings 117

Sat, February 21, 2026 (The Gabba) – One Day Cup 2025-26 – Men – Match 6
• Queensland Bulls 260 | South Australia Men 135

Sat, February 14, 2026 & Sat, February 21, 2026 (2 Day – Wep Harris Oval) – Queensland Premier Cricket – Men 1st Grade – Round 14
• University of Queensland Mens 1st Grade 6-251 | Valley Mens 1st Grade 8-262

Sun, February 22, 2026 (Kerry Emery Oval – One Day) – Queensland Premier Cricket – Women 1st Grade – Round 21
• Sunshine Coast Womens 1st Grade 111 | Valley Womens 1st Grade 9-235

Sat, February 14, 2026 & Sat, February 21, 2026 (2 Day – Trevor Hohns Field) – Queensland Premier Cricket – Men 1st Grade – Round 14
• Sandgate-Redcliffe Mens 1st Grade 6-322 | Western Suburbs Mens 1st Grade 3-324

Kenmore Community Leader Michael Fitzgerald Takes on Antarctica’s Wild Frontier

Most people spend Christmas close to home. Michael Fitzgerald spent his at the bottom of the world.

When the former President of the Queensland Law Society, and a member of the Rotary Club of Kenmore, for many decades boarded an Antarctic expedition last December, it wasn’t simply another holiday booking. For the intrepid adventurer, it was a journey into one of the most remote and awe-inspiring places on Earth.

Now a senior leader with St Vincent de Paul Society Queensland, and a Rotarian for many decades, Michael has devoted much of his life to service — raising funds and volunteering across West Brisbane, Queensland, Australia and overseas. Service, for him, has never been a slogan. It has been a way of life.

Last year, just before Christmas, that life of contribution paused briefly for something altogether different: a voyage across the Southern Ocean to Antarctica.

A Southern Departure

On 11 December 2025, Michael travelled to Hobart where he joined around 120 fellow passengers boarding the Douglas Mawson, Aurora Expeditions’ purpose-built polar vessel.

The voyage — Mawson’s Antarctica — retraced elements of the historic Australasian Antarctic Expedition led by Sir Douglas Mawson between 1911 and 1914. It was not a cruise in the traditional sense. It was an immersion.

For several days after leaving Hobart, the ship pressed south across the Southern Ocean — a stretch of water famed for its power and unpredictability.

Passengers settled into the rhythm of expedition life: briefings, lectures from polar experts, wildlife spotting from observation decks, and the gradual mental shift from civilisation to wilderness.

The Douglas Mawson is designed specifically for these voyages. With a high ice-class rating, stabilisers for heavy seas, hydraulic viewing platforms and multiple Zodiac landing craft, the ship blends expedition capability with contemporary comfort.

Interiors by Swedish maritime designer Tomas Tillberg prioritise light-filled observation spaces — a reminder that on this journey, the outside world is the main event.

Entering East Antarctica

As the vessel crossed into Antarctic waters, the landscape transformed.

Icebergs the size of city blocks drifted silently through steel-grey seas. Pack ice thickened. The air sharpened.

Wildlife appeared — Adélie penguins porpoising through the water, Weddell seals resting on floes, and the exciting appearance of a whale on the horizon.

One of the voyage’s key objectives is reaching Cape Denison in Commonwealth Bay. Cape Denison is the site of Mawson’s original expedition huts and one of the windiest places on Earth.

Photo Credit: Wikimedia Commons/Frank Hurley

Every expedition that stops here. weather permitting, land to view the preserved structures that remain as testimony to early Antarctic exploration.

Another milestone of the trip is crossing the Antarctic Circle — a symbolic achievement marking entry into one of the planet’s most remote latitudes. It is less about ceremony and more about perspective: realising just how far from home one has gone.

*Campbell Island* / Motu Ihupuku is an uninhabited subantarctic island of New Zealand.

On the return leg, the expedition passed through New Zealand’s Subantarctic Islands before concluding in Dunedin a few days after the New Year — a gradual reintroduction to green hills and human settlement after weeks of white and blue.

Through Michael’s Lens

During his trip, the photographs that Michael took spoke volumes — sweeping icescapes stretching to the horizon; close encounters with wildlife; the camaraderie of people experiencing the same wonder and awe; and the remarkable glow of Antarctic light lingering at midnight.

The expedition’s historic and exploratory nature, the flexibility required by weather and ice conditions, and the contrast between the raw Southern Ocean crossing and the stillness of Antarctic coastlines all form part of the experience.

Crossing the Antarctic Circle brings with it a quiet sense of achievement. A reminder that few people on Earth get to experience the privilege of standing in that latitude.

Five Things You Probably Didn’t Know About Antarctica

Antarctica is far more complex than a continent of snow and ice.

1. Antarctica holds around 70% of the world’s fresh water.
Most of it is locked in ice sheets kilometres thick. Early explorers sometimes licked surface ice for moisture, unaware that the salt content and extreme cold could worsen dehydration.

2. It has active volcanoes.
Among them is Mount Erebus, one of the few volcanoes on Earth with a persistent lava lake beneath its icy slopes.

3. There is a blood-red waterfall.
At Blood Falls in the McMurdo Dry Valleys, iron-rich subglacial water emerges from beneath a glacier. When exposed to oxygen, it oxidises, turning deep red — as though the ice itself were bleeding.

4. The coldest temperature ever recorded on Earth — −98°C — was measured on the Antarctic Plateau.
At those extremes, exposed skin can freeze in minutes.

5. There are lakes hidden beneath kilometres of ice.
Lake Vostok lies under roughly four kilometres of ice and has been sealed off for millions of years. Scientists believe unique microbial life may have evolved there in complete darkness and immense pressure.

A Quiet Local Connection

For a complex expedition involving polar preparation, Southern Ocean crossings and remote logistics, experienced travel advisors can help ensure every detail is carefully managed behind the scenes. Michael’s booking was arranged through Travel Associates Kenmore Village, known locally as Yee & Turner Travel Associates.

For Michael, this trip was never just about another stamp in the passport.

It became a chapter — one that reflects the character of a Kenmore community leader who, after decades devoted to law, charity and Rotary service, chose to spend Christmas embracing adventure at the bottom of the world.

That choice speaks not of restlessness, but of curiosity.

Because even after a lifetime of contribution, there is still wonder to pursue — and horizons worth chasing.

Published 12 February 2026