Melbourne Rare Book Week

Prior to the 18th and 19th centuries, Antarctica was the great unknown: how could nature survive in temperatures averaging -57 C? And just how large was the continent? Join reference librarian and Antarctic history buff Andrew McConville for this special tour, to discover how Antarctic exploration was recorded, and Melbourne’s role in reviving voyages in the later part of the 19th century. There will be the chance to see documents chronicling the first recorded landing and exploratory expedition on the Antarctic continent.