Davis is home for more than 100 expeditioners over summer and about 20 over winter. Expeditioners may expect to have their own room in winter but may be required to share over the busy summer months.

As with all stations, the local ‘supermarket’ is substituted by a walk-in cupboard called “Woolies”, where expeditioners can browse the shelves for basic toiletries provided for their use.

The station has a large dining room (or mess), several communal sitting areas and a range of amenities including medical and laundry facilities, a theatrette where movies are shown, a library, a small spa and sauna and a climbing wall.

Volleyball, badminton and table tennis can be played in the ambient area of the Green Store, providing the area is not required by the storesperson or for other work activities. There are also rudimentary facilities for some outdoor sports activities in summer, such as cricket, soccer and golf. A good range of cross-country ski boots and skis is located in the field store.

Communal life is the norm and expeditioners are expected to contribute to the day-to-day running of the station. Rosters are set up for Saturday duties that may include vacuuming the living area, shovelling snow, cleaning the cold porches etc. Expeditioners are rostered on ‘slushy duty’ to help the chef out in the kitchen.

Davis has a limited water supply and in summer, showers are restricted, often to one every three days and for a maximum duration of three minutes.