Event
Novara Expedition (1857 - 1859)
- From
- April 1857
- To
- 30 August 1859
- Functions
- Maritime exploration
Summary
The Novara Expedition was the first scientific expedition of the Austrian Navy to circumnavigate the world. Members of the scientific contingent included geologist Ferdinand von Hochstetter and zoologist Georg von Frauenfeld. In November 1858 the expedition spent some time in Sydney and later in New Zealand. Major results of the expedition were oceanographic studies in the South Pacific, Hochstetter's geological survey in New Zealand, and the first scientific study of the coca plant. In addition over 26,000 biological and cultural specimens were collected and lodged in Austrian museums. The reports of the expedition were published in 21 volumes between 1861 and 1875.
Related entries
Published resources
Journal Articles
- Barker, Robyn, 'Botanical collections from the Novara expedition', Australasian Systematic Botany Society newsletter, 178 (2019), 32-3. Details
- Braund, James and Miskelly, Colin M., 'Birds observed and collected by the Austrian Novara Expedition when in New Zealand, 1858 - 1859', Notornis, 72 (2) (2025), 107-216, https://doi.org/10.63172/065535fcugrw. Details
- Cunningham, Heather, 'Echidna overboard: Georg Ritter von Frauenfeld, scientist on the 1857-59 world expedition of the Novara', Australasian Systematic Botany Society newsletter, 178 (2019), 30-1. Details
- Nolden, Sascha, 'Ferdinand Hochstetter's Novara expedition autograph album', Journal of the Historical Studies Group, Geoscience Society of New Zealand, 73 (2023), 49-95. Details
- Nolden, Sascha; and Darragh, Thomas, 'Ferdinand Hochstetter's Australian 'Novara' expedition diary and voyage to New Zealand, 6 November ‒ 22 December 1858', Journal of the Historical Studies Group, Geoscience Society of New Zealand, 73 (2023), 7-48. Details
Helen Cohn
Created: 6 August 2019, Last modified: 28 August 2025