Wilkes station was established on 16 January 1957, by the United States Navy - Operation Deep Freeze (1), as part of the United States programme for the International Geophysical Year 1957-1958 (2). (There had been two previous similar exercises called "Polar Years" in 1982-83 and 1932-33(3).

Under US control the station was equipped to collect meteorological information as well as for auroral, ionospheric and magnetic studies (1).  The United States and Australian Governments agreed in 1958 to co-operate to maintain the facility at Wilkes without interruption at the end of the IGY. The United States contributed all the buildings and facilities of the station and all of the supplies, fuel and food remaining at the station at the end of the IGY.  Australia contributed logistic and administrative services for the continued operation of the station. Both nations provided staff (4).

On 4 February 1959 the Australian Government accepted from the United States Government custody of Wilkes Station. The station continued in operation until 19 February 1969 when activities were transferred to the new Australian Antartic station "Casey" (CA 2960) (2).  The station provided meteorological and general scientific information including, interalia, geological and cartographic surveys,
meteorological and biological studies, geophysical research and observation of aurorae, sea ice phenomena and tides.  [Subject to further investigation]

The Geophysical observatory at Wilkes, staffed by the Bureau of Mineral Resources (CA 218), commenced operations in January 1959 [Magnetograms] and ceased in December 1966 [Seismograms and
magnetograms].  The main functions of the observatory were:  the collection and distribution of basic data in the disciplines of geomagnetism and seismology; and the appliclation of the data to investigations of local and regional phenomena.
 

Historical agency address
Vincennes Bay, Australian Antartic Territory

Superior agency unregistered

United States component: 
Jan 1957-Feb 1959: Secretary responsible:  Secretary of the Navy
Jan 1957-Feb 1959: Supervisor Agency:  United States Navy - Operation
                   Deep Freeze [II]