This thesis analyses the significance of and factors influencing recreational activities that occur at Scott Base, New Zealand’s Antarctic research station in the Ross Sea region. Recreation has played a crucial role in Antarctica throughout history. Early 20th-century explorers such as Scott and Shackleton recognised the importance of recreation and entertainment on Antarctic expeditions. It provided much-needed distraction and relief from living in close quarters, harsh climatic conditions, and isolation from the rest of the world. Recreation eased tensions, enhanced camaraderie and team cohesion, and promoted a positive culture whereby different ranks and roles enjoyed activities together (Ferrar, 2017; Scott, 1905). The importance of recreation in remote work environments remains equally significant today. It benefits an individual’s mental, physical and social health (McArdle, 2013; Scully et al., 1998; Street et al., 2007; Vella et al., 2023), and fosters positive relationships and cohesion across different roles (Iverson, R & Maguire, C., 2000; Perring et al., 2014) and visitor groups at research facilities such as New Zealand’s Scott Base in Antarctica. This thesis aims to answer the following research question: What recreational activities take place at Scott Base and why? To fully address this question, three subsidiary topics are explored, 1) the range of recreational opportunities in Antarctica, 2) the recreational activities undertaken at Scott Base, and 3) the factors that influence recreation at Scott Base. The most frequently undertaken recreational activities at Scott Base include walking, indoor individual sports, gym activities, socialising at the bar, familiarisation trips (tours to points of interest in the area), reading, snow and ice sports, and indoor games and movies. The primary reason for recreational engagement was social motivation, which sometimes manifested as a desire for solitude within Scott Base's busy environment. The main constraint to recreational engagement was limited time, exacerbated by the long working week. A lack of induction, training, or guidance, as well as the prohibition of specific activities, ranked as the second and third constraints, respectively. A conceptual model for recreational supply and demand in remote work environments was developed, incorporating the factors and constraints that impact recreational engagement. This model contextualises recreational demand and supply, visitor needs and expectations, organisational supply resources, and recreational supply and demand constraints within organisational, strategic, and natural environments. Unlike general recreational models, it accounts for the unique characteristics of a population that is largely selected by an organisation which also facilitates almost all recreational activities. This model raises awareness of how different components interact, enabling improved management to enhance employee health and wellbeing. National Antarctic Programmes are encouraged to commission further research into their recreational programmes to assess how well their provisions meet the needs and expectations of visitors. Researchers are invited to critique and further develop this conceptual model, refining it for the health and wellbeing of workers and organisations operating in remote environments.