Mawson After Dark | Australian Antarctic Festival 2026

Kick off the Australian Antarctic Festival with an evening of storytelling, trivia and discovery.

Mawson After Dark brings together Antarctic enthusiasts, history lovers, festival guests and the curious for a relaxed and entertaining night inspired by the Heroic Age of Antarctic exploration.

Test your knowledge with Antarctic-themed trivia, uncover fascinating stories from Douglas Mawson's expeditions, and celebrate the people, places and adventures that have shaped Australia's enduring connection to the south.

To mark the occasion, Hadley's Orient Hotel will unveil the official Australian Antarctic Festival Cocktail, crafted exclusively for the Festival. Inspired by Antarctica and the Southern Ocean, the signature cocktail offers visitors a unique taste of Tasmania's Antarctic gateway city.

Whether you're attending the Festival for the first time or returning for another year, Mawson After Dark is the perfect way to kick off the celebrations with trivia, storytelling, friendly competition and a uniquely Antarctic atmosphere.

Event Details

📅 Wednesday 19 August 2026

🕕 6:00 pm

📍 Hadley's Orient Hotel, Hobart

Your Ticket Includes

• One official Australian Antarctic Festival cocktail on arrival

• Antarctic-themed trivia

• A relaxed and social Festival opening event

Team Information

• Teams can have up to 4 people

• Groups of 2 or 3 are welcome and can book individual tickets under the same team name

• Coming on your own? We'll help you join a team on the night

*Additional beverages and nibbles available for purchase.

All proceeds support the Mawson's Huts Foundation.