In RAN service, the landing ship was primarily used in support of the Australian National Antarctic Research Expedition (ANARE).

[1] The LCTs had a ship's company of 104, and a maximum load of 168 troops, 18 40-ton tanks, 27 trucks, and 7 Landing Craft Mechanized.

[1] In RAN service, LST 3501 was armed with ten 20 mm Oerlikons: four twin and two single mounts.

[1][2] The vessel was repainted yellow to assist with visual identification in Antarctic waters, and modified slightly to carry a Supermarine Walrus seaplane, which was launched by derrick.

[1] The ship returned to Melbourne, where more stores and a second group of 13 ANARE personnel were loaded before LST 3501 sailed to Macquarie Island on 28 February 1948, arriving seven days later.

[2] After unloading for the second time, the landing ship waited for the arrival of the research vessel HMAS Wyatt Earp in late March before returning to Australia.