'Vanda Station' was a summer-only Antarctic research base in the western highlands (
Victoria Land) of the
Ross Dependency, specifically on the shore of
Lake Vanda, which is in the
Wright Valley. This was manned for the first time by a five man team from January to
October 19 1969. The station was administered by the
Department of Scientific and Industrial Research (DSIR), and was supported logistically by the permanent
New Zealand research base of
Scott Base on
Ross Island.
In 1995, environment concerns resulted in the base being closed. Various activities associated with the base's occupation, including excavations, the erection of buildings, disturbances caused by vehicle movements, the storage of consumables, waste disposal, and accidental spills, led to the effort to remove the station. Since removal, analysis of the lake water and algae was performed for a number of years to ensure the lake was not contaminated by
grey water and other wastes.
There is now a street named after this base in
Queenstown, New Zealand — the street is called Vanda Place and is located just a few hundred metres from Scott Place.