Follow footsteps of renowned Antarctic explorer Sir Ernest Shackleton

by Jude Timms on 3 Mar 2015 It’s one of the greatest survival stories of all time and now, nearly 100 years later, a new exhibition invites visitors to walk in the footsteps of famous Antarctic explorer Sir Ernest Shackleton and discover his epic voyage of survival for themselves.

Shackleton: Escape from Antarctica brings together 100 year-old-artefacts, first-hand accounts and dramatic images by official expedition photographer Australian Frank Hurley to tell the compelling story of Shackleton’s Imperial Trans-Antarctic Expedition of 1914-17 and his bid to stay alive.

Shackleton set out in August 1914 with a bold plan to be the first to cross Antarctica’s vast interior. His strategy was to have two parties working from opposite sides of the continent. He would lead the Weddell Sea crossing party while a second Ross Sea supply party would lay critical rations ahead of him.

Both ships were ultimately lost to their crews (one crushed and the other wrenched away by the ice), Shackleton’s party would never even touch the continent they hoped to cross, and the other would be marooned on it, desperately sledging across hundreds of kilometres of ice to lay depots for the party which would never come.

Through the eyes of modern-day adventurer Tim Jarvis AM, who recently re-enacted parts of Shackleton’s journey, and biologist and Shackleton fellow Mel Mackenzie, the exhibition follows the harrowing experiences of both parties and asks visitors to think about their reaction and decisions.

Visitors will also see real artefacts from the voyage including clothing worn by expedition scientist Australian Andrew Keith Jack (of the Ross Sea party), diaries of photographer Frank Hurley and other expeditioners, hand-drawn maps and sketches of the terrain, specimens from the Weddell Sea and equipment used by the various expeditioners including a vital medical kit.

The century-old artefacts are contrasted with models and dioramas enhanced by augmented reality programs which bring key events on the expedition to life. Replica equipment used by Tim Jarvis in his re-enactment of Shackleton’s incredible 1500km dash for help aboard the small lifeboat James Caird and the 40 km trek across South Georgia takes visitors into Shackleton’s world as seen by a modern day adventurer. Jarvis’ replica of the James Caird, named Alexandra Shackleton, will also be on display – dramatically suspended in the museum’s foyer.

Still life: Inside the Antarctic Huts of Scott and Shackleton.

Visitors will also be able to relive this extraordinary period of polar exploration and step inside the historic huts of Antarctic explorers Captain Robert Falcon Scott and Sir Ernest Shackleton in the companion exhibition Still Life: Inside the Antarctic Huts of Scott and Shackleton.

Created by New Zealand photographer Jane Ussher and the New Zealand Antarctic Heritage Trust, this unique audiovisual work lets visitors become immersed in the landscape, isolation and lives left behind by these heroic early explorers. Visitors can then discover what is happening to conserve this heritage on the ice today. On display until 1 September 2015.

Shackleton: Escape from Antarctica opens at the Australian National Maritime Museum on 2 April and will be on show until 22 November 2015. The exhibition is sponsored by APT and Antarctica Flights and supported by the Australian Antarctic Division. Entry (including entry to Still Life) is included in the museum’s Big Ticket - $27 adults, $16 child/concession or $70 families.

The Australian National Maritime Museum, in Sydney’s Darling Harbour, is open daily from 9.30am to 5.00 pm. For more information, click here or call 02 9298 3777.