University of Tasmania's Antarctic and marine science programs give the state global research standing

The University of Tasmania's Institute for Marine and Antarctic Studies, co-located with the Australian Antarctic Division at the Channel Court precinct in Hobart, has made Tasmania one of the world's most significant centres for polar and southern ocean science. The combination of UTAS research programs and the AAD's operational science mission creates a concentration of polar expertise in Hobart that is internationally unique outside of the major polar nations' specialist institutes.

The Aurora Australis's replacement, RSV Nuyina, operates from Hobart as Australia's new Antarctic icebreaker, conducting resupply missions to Australia's Antarctic stations and supporting science programs across the Southern Ocean. The vessel's home port in Hobart provides the city with a permanent connection to Australia's Antarctic program and generates economic activity through provisioning, maintenance and the crew and science party spending that accompanies each voyage preparation period.

UTAS research programs in marine ecology, fisheries science, climate science and oceanography attract international students and researchers to Hobart, adding to the academic community that contributes to the city's intellectual character and to the visitor numbers that temporarily resident researchers and their families generate. International collaborative research programs bring visiting scientists from across the world's ocean science institutions to Hobart for extended research visits.

The Antarctic and marine science precinct is also a tourism asset, with the Mawson's Huts Replica Museum, the Discovery Centre adjacent to the Australian Antarctic Division and the vessel visits that allow public access to RSV Nuyina on selected occasions all providing visitor experiences that connect the public to Antarctica's history and science. The gateway city status that Hobart holds for Antarctic tourism — the departure point for commercial Antarctic tourism operators and for national program participants — adds further Antarctic connection to the city's visitor economy.

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