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Territory of Australia

Antarctic

Heard Island and McDonald IslandsTravel guide

Explore Heard Island and McDonald Islands visa rules

Heard Island and McDonald Islands are uninhabited islands in the Southern Ocean, administered by Australia. They are remote, largely barren and protected as a nature reserve and World Heritage site. Travel to Heard Island is banned, and landings on the McDonald Islands are allowed only for compelling scientific reasons.

Why go

  1. Heard Island is largely covered in ice and has a mountainous landscape.

  2. Big Ben and the active volcano Mawson Peak dominate Heard Island.

  3. The islands contain Australia's highest peak, excluding its Antarctic claim.

  4. Large numbers of seals and birds live here, including four types of penguin on Heard Island.

Getting there

By air

  • There are no airports, airstrips or helicopter landing facilities on the islands.

By sea

  • Vessels operate from Fremantle to Heard Island, but travel to Heard Island is banned.
  • There are no ports or harbours on either island group.

Customs

  • Permission to land is required from the Australian Antarctic Division because the islands are a nature reserve.
  • Landings on the McDonald Islands are allowed only for compelling scientific reasons.
  • Travel to Heard Island is banned.

What to see and do

  • Big Ben and Mawson Peak

    Heard Island is dominated by the large mountain mass of Big Ben and the active volcano Mawson Peak. Travel to Heard Island is banned.

  • McDonald Islands

    These small, rocky islands are actively volcanic. Landings are allowed only for compelling scientific reasons.

  • Seals and birds

    The islands support large numbers of seals and birds. Four types of penguin live on Heard Island.

Money

  • There is no economic activity on Heard Island or the McDonald Islands.

Staying safe

  • Be prepared for extreme weather that can arrive at short notice.
  • The islands are very far from any possibility of assistance or rescue.
  • There are no permanent human inhabitants, so any expedition requires careful planning and preparation.

Local customs

Do

  • Obtain permission from the Australian Antarctic Division for any permitted landing.

Don't

  • Do not travel to Heard Island; travel there is banned.
  • Do not land on the McDonald Islands unless there are compelling scientific reasons and permission has been granted.
  • Do not sleep on Heard Island; it is illegal.

Where to stay

  • Sleeping on Heard Island is illegal.
  • A ruined sealer's hut stands near Oil Barrel Point on Heard Island.
  • An apple hut stands at the northern end of Atlas Cove on Heard Island, but its condition is unknown.

Outdoor adventures in Heard Island and McDonald Islands

Heard Island and McDonald Islands are remote, uninhabited islands with ice-covered mountains, active volcanoes, seals and birds. Extreme weather can arrive suddenly, and help or rescue is a very long way away.

  • Heard Island wildlife watching

    WildlifeHeard Island

    Heard Island is about 4,000 km southwest of Perth. Visitor transport and tour arrangements are not specified.

    • Be prepared for extreme weather at short notice.
    • Help or rescue is a very long way away.

Questions

Is Heard Island and McDonald Islands part of Australia?

Heard Island and McDonald Islands is a territory linked to Australia, with its own entry rules. Check them separately even if you can visit Australia.

Does a Australia visa let me visit Heard Island and McDonald Islands?

Not automatically. Many territories set their own entry rules, so a visa or visa-free entry for Australia may not cover Heard Island and McDonald Islands. Check the Heard Island and McDonald Islands visa page for your passport.

Can I visit the islands as a tourist?

Travel to Heard Island is banned. Landings on the McDonald Islands require permission and are allowed only for compelling scientific reasons.

Where are the islands?

They are in the Southern Ocean, far south of India and roughly 400 km southeast of Kerguelen. They are approximately 4,000 km southwest of Perth.

Can I fly there?

There are no airports, airstrips or helicopter landing facilities on the islands.

Do boats go to the islands?

Vessels operate from Fremantle to Heard Island, but travel to Heard Island is banned. There are no ports or harbours.

Is there somewhere to stay?

Sleeping on Heard Island is illegal. Its two structures are a ruined sealer's hut and an apple hut whose condition is unknown.

Can I buy food and drink there?

There is no economic activity on either island group.

What weather should I expect?

Extreme weather can arrive at short notice. Assistance or rescue is a very long way away.

What wildlife lives there?

Large numbers of seals and birds live on the islands. Heard Island has four types of penguin.

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