Davis Station, Antarctica: Coordinates and Context

Australia's Busiest Antarctic Base

Davis Station is one of three permanent Australian Antarctic Division research stations.

Geographic Coordinates

• Latitude: 68°35′ S (-68.58°)
• Longitude: 77°58′ E (77.97°)

Location Context

• Region: Princess Elizabeth Land, Ingrid Christensen Coast.
• Setting: Ice-free "Vestfold Hills" — a rare Antarctic oasis of rocky hills, >300 lakes (hypersaline to fresh), and abundant wildlife.
• Access: By ship (resupply vessel RSV Nuyina) or long-range aircraft (A319, C-17) landing on Wilkins Aerodrome (blue ice runway, 70 km inland) or ski-equipped planes on plateau.

Research Focus

• Climate/ice core science.
• Marine biology (nearby Davis Sea).
• Geology/geomorphology of Vestfold Hills.
• Atmospheric physics (lidar, radar).
• Human impacts/medicine (isolated crew).

Population

Summer: ~80–100. Winter: ~15–20 (isolated 6+ months).

Named for Captain John King Davis, master of the SY Aurora (Mawson's 1911–14 expedition). Established 1957.