Messaging & Calling Apps
The most common way for expeditioners to maintain contact with Family & Friends is through Instant Messaging & Calling Apps. These include popular apps such as WhatsApp, Facebook Messenger, iMessage and Signal. Messaging, Audio calling and sharing images through these apps is reliable. Video calling is possible but the quality will vary depending on current station internet use.
Expeditioners will have access to their personal email accounts while on station.
Additionally, expeditioners will be provided an AAD email address. The format of the email address is: Firstname.lastname@aad.gov.au (for example, an expeditioner called Martin Swabble will have the email address martin.swabble@aad.gov.au)
Telephoning the stations
An AAD-owned satellite network, known as ANARESAT, provides telephone access between the stations, and from stations to the rest of the world.
Telephones are located in all workplaces. They are also located in the bedrooms of all main accommodation areas, except for one accommodation block on Macquarie Island. This block is served by one phone room.
The set up of our stations, particularly in the accommodation areas, doesn't always allow for a private conversation when connecting by phone. Each of our stations and RSV Nuyina have dedicated quiet rooms that expeditioners can use for a private conversation.
Please note that calling a station from a mobile or landline in Australia will incur costly overseas calling fees - it is recommended that if you are connecting via phone that the call is initiated by your expeditioner on station.
To call a station from Australia:
- If required, dial the access code for the carrier of your choice.
- Dial 0011 (international access code).
- Dial 672 (country code for Australian Antarctic Territories and Macquarie Island).
- Dial the access code for the station:
- 10 for Davis
- 11 for Mawson
- 12 for Casey
- 13 for Macquarie Island
- Dial the four digit extension number at the station.
Extension numbers for the station will be provided by the expeditioner. Callers from outside Australia should substitute 0011 in the above example with the international access code required by their local carrier.