Located on as isolated outcrop of rock on the coast of Mac Robert land, at the edge of Antarctic plateau, at position 67° 36′ 10″ S, 62° 52′ 26″ E and is 50km north north of the Antarctic circle. Established in 1954, it was the first Australian research base and has been the longest continuously operated station south of the Arctic circle. The station is named after Sir Douglas Mawson, Australia's most famous Antarctic explorer. The small community is protected by a large horse-shoe shaped harbour, which helps to prevent the harsh winds from hitting the main buildings.
Mawson is a particularly favourable location for a station, with excellent access to the hinterland and surrounding coastal waters, together with a harbour sheltered from ocean swells and with a depth reaching 90m. During the ice-free period usually experienced in February, a ship may anchor within 100 metres of the station. Barges carrying the cargo take only a few minutes to travel from the ship to shore.