Macquarie Island – condition of sites – scientific pre and post World War II structures, sites etc.
Sources:
Carmichael N, 2004, Macquarie Island Historic Heritage Sites Audit, Tasmanian Parks and Wildlife Service, Hobart.
Nash M, 2000 (draft), Conserving Macquarie Island’s public historic heritage: conservation planning guidance, Tasmanian Department of
Primary Industries, Water and Environment, Hobart.
Title
Description
Condition
Key threatening processes
Cultural
significance
Wireless Hill
Encompasses the sites of the radio
masts, and the radio and engine
huts established by the Australasian
Antarctic Expedition in 1911.
From 1997 Nash survey: A cutting defines the position of
the former operating hut. Dressed stone foundations mark
the front of the hut and there are remnants of timber
flooring and collapsed structural beams. Another cutting
marks the position of the former engine hut. There are
remnants of weathered timber flooring and structural beams
in the cutting. Remains of the wireless mast and aerials that
consist of timber stumps with some iron fittings and
fragments of wire cable.
Corrosion and wood
deterioration. The site is
exposed to constant strong
winds.
National:
considerable
The wireless station comprised two
huts, one being a small engine
house and the other an operating
hut
A flying fox was also constructed
by an oiling gang.
The wireless station facilitated the
first radio communication between
Antarctic and Australia during the
1911-13 Australasian Antarctic
Expedition and was the first
wireless station established in the
Antarctic sub-Antarctic region. The
station was also associated with the
first long-term meteorological
stations established in the region.
From 2004 Carmichael survey: There are few visible
remains of the radio masts from two small sections of
wooden mast with iron brackets, odd sections of wire, and
some wooden posts to which the mast guy wires had been
attached. The excavated areas where the radio and engine
huts were located are still discernable, along with some
timber and wiring. The dressed stone foundations of the
wireless hut seen by Nash in 1997 (2000:12) are no longer
apparent under the vegetation. All the surviving pieces of
Mawson’s mast are now lying on the ground, whereas a
photograph taken in early 2001 shows one section still
State (Tas):
Considerable
Title
Description
Condition
Key threatening processes
Cultural
significance
Artefact corral: corrosion
and wood deterioration. The
site is directly exposed to
the prevailing southwesterly to north-westerly
salt and sand laden winds.
In addition, the site is
unfenced on its eastern side
allowing access by seals and
people.
National: unknown
upright at that time (Parks & Wildlife Service 2001). Only a
few short sections of wire are evident where a flying fox
once was.
ANARE Station
Artefact corral and main store only
From 1997 Nash survey:
Nil
From 2004 Carmichael survey:
Artefact corral: ex situ artefacts in the station compound
artefact corral have deteriorated noticeably (wooden
artefacts in particular) since the author’s last visit in 1998.
Surface level material has been further overgrown by
vegetation since Nash (2000: 43) photographed the site in
1997.
Main store: several boxes of small artefacts such as bottles,
barrel staves, pulleys, etc are currently being stored on the
upper level of the main store. Some of these artefacts are
numbered indicating they are part of the collection
catalogued by Townrow in 1990-1992 (Clark 2003).
Old Sandy Bay
ANARE hut
The hut (which is a modified
Walrus aircraft engine packing
crate) was established in 1950 and
was last used on a regular basis in
1996.
From 1997 Nash survey: the hut rests on a foundation of
large timber bearers that are somewhat weather worn but
appear to be solid. The exterior coat of paint is in poor
condition. Some fittings are still in place – a timber bunk
and some benches and shelves remain.
The hut was assembled in sections
and was completed in 1950. The
From 2004 Carmichael survey: There has been noticeable
deterioration since the assessment by Nash in 1997 (2000:
State (Tas):
unknown
Main store: corrosion, wood
deterioration and human
interference. Although out of
the weather, the environment
of the main store is damp and
not suitable for long-term
storage. The artefacts do not
have any protective
packaging around them and
are highly vulnerable to
damage by people using the
area.
Corrosion, wood
deterioration and vegetation
encroachment. The likely
continued expansion of the
King penguin colony around
the hut will make future
access and maintenance of
National: some
State (Tas):
considerable
Title
Old Lusitania Bay
ANARE hut
Description
Condition
Key threatening processes
hut was badly damaged by a storm
in 1978 but was subsequently
repaired and had had small
modifications and improvements
added at regular intervals. The
Sandy Bay hut is no longer in
active use and most fittings and all
portable equipment has been
removed.
25). The hut is still weather-proof although some of the
cladding on the cold porch has been damaged and is
scheduled for replacement this winter. Vegetation was
removed from on and around the structure in 2003.
the structure more difficult.
ANARE field hut.
From 1997 Nash survey: the exterior paintwork is
extremely weatherworn. On the exterior of the hut are the
remains of a small timber verandah as well as a timber
ladder attached to the wall. While most fittings have been
stripped from the interior of the hut, a timber bunk and a
small bench remain. In general, the structure appears to be
more dilapidated than its twin at Sandy Bay as it has had no
maintenance works carried out since its abandonment and is
situated in a more exposed location. The timber foundations
rest on solid rock and appear to be reasonably sound. Some
tussock grass remains on the seaward side of the hut and
has also established itself on the exterior walls. Various
building materials and other modern material lies scattered
in the general vicinity of the hut. On the beach the remains
of an amphibious vehicle that was wrecked in 1951 can
sometimes be seen.
Corrosion, wood
deterioration, vegetation and
wildlife disturbance.
The hut (which is a modified
Walrus aircraft engine packing
crate) was established in 1950 and
was last used on a regular basis in
1994.
The hut was built to accommodate
ANARE fieldwork parties. It was in
continual use until 1993 and is still
in its original configuration with
some minor additions.
From 2004 Carmichael survey: There has been substantial
deterioration since the assessment by Nash (2000:34) in
1997. The roof capping as blown away at the northern end
resulting in the floor being permanently wet. There are also
holes and gaps in many of the wall panel joins. Vegetation
was removed from on and around the structure in 2003.
Cultural
significance
National: some
State (Tas):
considerable