Taking it to the edge: South Australia's polar pioneers

While the exploration of the world's polar regions cannot be considered part of the exploration of South Australia, three notable explorers of the Arctic and Antarctic were South Australians either by birth or long residence. One, Sir Douglas Mawson, worked only in the Antarctic and its adjacent seas, and later actively encouraged the Australian government to make a claim for a portion of the Antarctic continent, and to continue scientific work there. This led to the establishment of ANARE, the Australian National Antarctic Research Expeditions.

The other two men, Sir Hubert Wilkins and John Rymill, both born in South Australia, explored in the Arctic and Antarctic regions. In Antarctica moreover they both worked in the area that would later be known as the Antarctic Peninsula, although at slightly different periods. Both men also pioneered the use of aircraft in the polar regions.

• Sir Douglas Mawson
• Sir Hubert Wilkins
• John Rymill