If you think you’ve seen winter, you haven’t seen anything yet. The Australasian Antarctic Expedition was a team of Australasian scientists that ventured to Antarctica in 1911, exploring the land until their return in 1914. Colossal pointed us towards this breathtaking gallery of photographs from their journey, recently collected and released online by the National Library of Australia Commons. Click through to see the most beautiful, strange and incredible photographs from the expedition to Antarctica between 1911 and 1914, and then head to the National Library of Australia Commons’ Flickr page for even more.
Probably the face of the team meteorologist, C.T. Madigan.
Photo by Frank Hurley, via the National Library of Australia Commons.
Frozen spray built up by the blizzards along the shore, Adelie Land.
Photo by Frank Hurley, via the National Library of Australia Commons
Three lonely strays find a lost brother after a blizzard.
Photo by Frank Hurley, via the National Library of Australia Commons
An incident in March soon after completion of the hut, Hodgeman, the night watchman returning from his rounds outside pushes his way into the veranda through the rapidly accumulating drift snow, Adelie Land.
Photo by Frank Hurley, via the National Library of Australia Commons
The Aurora lying at anchor, Commonwealth Bay.
Photo by Frank Hurley, via the National Library of Australia Commons
The meteorologist, C.T. Madigan, with an ice mask.
Photo by Frank Hurley, via the National Library of Australia Commons
On the frozen sea in a cavern eaten out by the waves under the coastal ice-cliffs, Adelie Land.
Photo by Frank Hurley, via the National Library of Australia Commons
We scanned every yard of the mighty barrier in the hope of finding a possible landing place but not so much as a foothold offered for over one hundred miles.
Photo by Frank Hurley, via the National Library of Australia Commons
Sastrugi sculptured by the incessant blizzards, Adelie Land.
Photo by Frank Hurley, via the National Library of Australia Commons
A wonderful canopy of ice, Adelie Land.
Photo by Frank Hurley, via the National Library of Australia Commons
Mertz in an icy ravine, Adelie Land.
Photo by Frank Hurley, via the National Library of Australia Commons
Finner whales of the south.
Photo by Frank Hurley, via the National Library of Australia Commons
The fo’c’stle head of the “Aurora” sheathed with ice after a blizzard in Commonwealth Bay.
Photo by Frank Hurley, via the National Library of Australia Commons
The boat harbour, Hasselborough Bay, Macquarie Island.
Photo by Frank Hurley, via the National Library of Australia Commons
The rare Ross seal.
Photo by Frank Hurley, via the National Library of Australia Commons
Adelie Land, a grotto of “mysteries.”
Photo by Frank Hurley, via the National Library of Australia Commons
Silver-grey petrel or southern fulmar on nest.
Photo by Frank Hurley, via the National Library of Australia Commons
A turreted berg.
Photo by Frank Hurley, via the National Library of Australia Commons
Young sea elephants asleep amongst royal penguins, South End rookery, Macquarie Island.
Photo by Frank Hurley, via the National Library of Australia Commons
The Aurora anchored to the floe off the Western Base, Queen Mary Land.
Photo by Frank Hurley, via the National Library of Australia Commons