Arkaroola Geoscientist Stephen Hore Helps Trace Douglas Mawson’s Footsteps
“He would take his polar pyjamas and wear them in the outback – you know how cold it can get,”
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Mark Pharaoh, Australian Polar Collection, South Australian Museum
Douglas Mawson is best known as one of Australia’s great Antarctic explorers, but his deep connection to South Australia’s Flinders Ranges is a lesser-known part of his legacy.
That story is now being brought to life with the help of Arkaroola’s Chief Geoscientist, Stephen Hore.
Working alongside South Australian Museum volunteers, Stephen Hore has played a key role in highlighting the pioneering and geological relevance of the deciphered handwritten field diaries of Mawson, many of which document geological expeditions through the Flinders Ranges between 1906 and the 1950s.
Using the deciphered diaries, historic photographs, handwritten “mud maps” and his deep knowledge of the region, Steve has identified more than 100 geological locations visited by Mawson. These sites are now being mapped into a three-day walking route that allows visitors to follow Mawson’s journeys through the landscape.
Describing himself as a “rock detective”, Steve has helped pinpoint exact locations hidden within Mawson’s faded notes and photographs — sometimes narrowing down a single rock face within kilometres of rugged terrain. His work has revealed sites where Mawson searched for uranium and explored ancient geological formations that continue to define the Flinders Ranges today.
This research also highlights the strong historical link between Mawson and Arkaroola. One of Mawson’s students, Reg Sprigg, later went on to protect and establish what is now the Arkaroola Wilderness Sanctuary — a legacy that continues through conservation, research and education.
Stephen Hore’s contribution ensures that Mawson’s South Australian work is not only preserved, but made accessible to future generations through immersive, on-country experiences.
This blog is based on reporting originally published by The Guardian on 28 December 2025. Written by Tory Shepherd.
Read the original article in The Guardian
HERE
