Heard, McDonald & Macquarie Islands : Profile

Facts

Heard, McDonald & Macquarie Islands in the Southern Ocean are owned by Australia. All three have uniquely unspoilt environments. Access is by permit only; applications may be made to: The Australian Antarctic Division, Channel Highway, Kingston 7050, Tasmania, Australia. Website: http://www.aad.gov.au Email: information@aad.gov.au
The environment is protected by various prohibitions: the import of live organisms or dead poultry; any interference with or collecting of native life; leaving any material or waste ashore; interfering with any buildings, scientific experiments, etc.
Heard Island (53°05'S 73°30'E) and McDonald Island (53°03'S 72°36'E) have only been visited by a few scientific expeditions and remain unspoilt. In 2002 the Heard Island and McDonald Islands (HIMI) Marine Reserve was declared.
Macquarie Island (54°38'S 158°54'E) is administered by Tasmania as a Nature Reserve and limited tourism is allowed. A permit for entry can be obtained from: Tasmanian Dept. of Parks, Wildlife & Heritage, PO Box 861J, Hobart 7001, Tasmania, Australia. A landing fee is charged per person. There is a permanent research station on the island. Visits may only be made with the permission of the Australian Antarctic Division.