National ParkPatrimonio Mundial UNESCO

Heard and McDonald Islands

Australia · Subantarctic (southern Indian Ocean)
Subantarctic (southern Indian Ocean)Declared in 19973,688 km²

The only active volcano in all of Australian territory; one of the least disturbed areas on the planet

Area

3,688 km²

Declared in

1997

Region

Subantarctic (southern Indian Ocean)

Climate

Tropical, Árido / desértico, Templado, Mediterráneo

Best time

March to May

Plan your visit

Best time
March to May
Area
3,688 km²

Highlight

The only active volcano in all of Australian territory; one of the least disturbed areas on the planet

Made an Australian national park in 1997 and a UNESCO World Heritage Site the same year, Heard and McDonald Islands hold the only active volcano in all of Australian territory, Big Ben, whose summit stays capped by Australia's only active volcanic glacier. Having historically never had introduced species — unlike almost every other subantarctic island, colonised in their day by rats or cats brought by whalers — it is reckoned one of the island ecosystems least disturbed by direct human activity anywhere on the planet, with no eradication programme needed because there is nothing to eradicate.

Loading map…

18 species documented in Heard and McDonald Islands

5 Mammals11 Birds1 Cartilaginous fish1 Malacostraca

At conservation risk:Elefante marino del sur,Lobo fino antártico,Orca,Pingüino macaroni,Albatros de cabeza gris,Marrajo sardinero,Pingüino saltarrocas,Rorcual boreal

See all 18 species of this place

Flora and ecosystems

Ecosystems found in Australia, where Heard and McDonald Islands lies.

Selva tropicalSabanaDesiertoMarino / costero

Experiences in this park

Observación de aves

Similar parks

Which other parks are like this one?

Keep exploring

Based on what we already know about Heard and McDonald Islands.

Your rating

How many stars would you give Heard and McDonald Islands?

Log in to rate

Comments

Share your experience visiting Heard and McDonald Islands, or a tip for other travellers.

Be the first to comment.