Antarctica
The polar vortex bringing icy temperatures across southern Australia
A destabilised weather pattern has pushed the polar vortex high above Antarctica off course, pushing freezing winds into southern Australia. When will it end?
- by Bianca Hall
Latest
Black swans in ‘significant peril’ from bird flu
Australia’s poultry industry is grappling with an outbreak of H7 bird flu, but the H5N1 strain, which has spread to every other continent, could wipe out native species.
- by Mike Foley
The dirty history of ‘Nukey Poo’, the reactor that soiled the Antarctic
At an American base on NZ-claimed Antarctic territory, a small nuclear reactor was once installed to provide energy and save money. The after-effects are still being felt.
- by Nick O'Malley
Shackleton saved his men from the ice, and now Tim Jarvis wants to save the ice from us
A virtual reality film opening at the Australian Museum on Saturday brings to life Shackleton’s tale of endurance, and highlights the changes to the ice since his trip more than 100 years ago.
- by Julie Power
Short on time? This Australian ship can do Antarctica at express speed
I’m doing what is surely the shortest journey you can have while cruising this remote corner of the world. But there’s still time to be overwhelmed.
- by Ben Groundwater
How the ultra-rich cruise: On board the world’s most-travelled superyacht
Last year the Hanse Explorer clocked up a staggering 65,555 kilometres, many of which were racked up during charters for the rich and famous.
- by Rachel Ingram
The bird flu virus has adapted to sea mammals. Scientists are puzzled
And the new research findings hold a warning: H5N1 may similarly transform to cause large-scale infections in other mammalian species, including people.
- by Apoorva Mandavilli
I thought my seventh trip to Antarctica would be my last. But then ...
Where else on Earth could you kayak up close to curious penguins as well as whales – and see the world’s largest iceberg?
- by Jennifer Byrne
Five of the world’s most thrilling places to see wildlife
One of the thrills of a visit to the world’s wild places is seeing how the (non-human) locals live.
- by Sue Williams
Victorian child confirmed to have rare and dangerous H5N1 bird flu
A critically ill child who returned from India in March was infected with the disease, which has killed millions of animals worldwide.
- by Angus Dalton and Bianca Hall