Wilkes
The place
Wilkes Station, a former American scientific base built by the Navy in January 1957 on the Clark Peninsula (Wilkes Land, Australian Antarctic Territory), coordinates 66.26°S 110.54°E. Handed over to the Australian Antarctic Division on 7 February 1959. Abandoned in 1969 after relocation to Casey Station. Almost always frozen in ice, revealed during major thaws every 4-5 years. Named in honour of Charles Wilkes, the 19th-century American explorer who proved that Antarctica was a continent.
Getting there
Historic site closed to the public. Many objects remain trapped in the ice. Partial clean-up in 2025 (14 m³ of waste removed). Neighbouring Casey Station is operational, run by the Australian Antarctic Division.
The setting
Clark Peninsula, Wilkes Land, Australian Antarctic Territory, Budd Coast, Vincennes Bay.
