Walkabout was distributed internationally and had overseas subscribers (see Chapter 1). Some international readers were forwarded copies from friends in Australia, and readers from various countries wrote in expressing how much they enjoyed the magazine. Given ANTA's extensive promotional activities and the appeal of an accessible geographic magazine with high production qualities, it is no surprise Walkabout received laudatory comments from afar. More of a surprise, perhaps, is Walkabout 's role in a minor incident concerning the proclamation of Australian territory. In late 1938 the Australian climatologist, naturalist, war correspondent and polar explorer Sir Hubert Wilkins joined the American explorer Lincoln Ellsworth on the Wyatt Earp on a voyage to Antarctica. Over a period of eight days, Wilkins landed at various sites, including the Vestfold Hills and on Svenner and Rauer Islands. (The Australian Antarctic base Davis Station was later established in this region on 13 January 1957.) At the time of Ellsworth's expedition Australia was already claiming this territory, but the United States did not necessarily acknowledge the legitimacy of claims in Antarctica and Ellsworth was under advice to claim unexplored land. Aware of this, Wilkins claimed territory for Australia where he landed ‘by deposition of a proclamation and an Australian flag’. On 11 January 1939, in the Vestfold Hills, he ‘wrapped his handwritten proclamation in a copy of Walkabout magazine, further protected by two enamel coffee jugs placed endto- end to form a cylinder’. Affectionately known as ‘Walkabout Rocks’, this prominent rocky outcrop now also furnishes a visitors’ book.

In their intimation of convivial yarning over a hot drink, the enamel coffee jugs befit a warmth one can find in various sections of Walkabout itself. Even so, while enamel coffee jugs today evoke nostalgia, in 1939 they were an everyday part of the traveller's and drover's kit. It is also apt that Walkabout would be used in such a proclamation. The issue that Wilkins deposited – October 1938 – was not a dated back issue, but what would have been the latest issue prior to his boarding the Wyatt Earp in Cape Town. It is possible he collected his copy in South Africa on his way to the ship, for ANTA material was distributed to South Africa.