Welcome to Heard Island and McDonald Islands

Unique Facts

• Heard Island and the McDonald Islands are in the southern Indian Ocean about 1,242 miles north of Australia’s Antarctica base at Davis Station.
• Heard Island is 142 square miles. It is an active volcano – Big Ben – covered in glaciers. McDonald Island is 27 miles west of Heard island is the principal island in the McDonald Islands archipelago. It is also an active volcano.
• The islands are UNESCO World Heritage Sites and located with an IUCN 1a Strict Nature Reserve. Visitors must obtain a permit from the Australian Antarctic Division in order to visit.
• British sailor Peter Kemp discovered the islands in 1833. They have been Australian territories since 1947.
• You can’t fly to Heard Island, so visitors must arrive by boat.

Language

Heard Island and the McDonald Islands do not have any official language as they are uninhabited. The researchers based there use their official home language. Australian English is used by the administration of the territory.

When To Go

The best time to go to Heard Island and the McDonald Islands is from January until December. The temperatures will be very cold, but there will be little rainfall.

Airports

No airport

Passport Validity

Passport must be valid at time of entry.

Visa Required By US Citizen?

Yes

Vaccinations

The CDC recommends the following vaccines for most travelers when visiting Heard Island the McDonald Islands: Hepatitis A and Typhoid. Depending on where you are traveling, you may also need Hepatitis B and Yellow Fever vaccines.

Electrical Outlets

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Currency

Official local currency: Australian Dollar

Getting Around

There are no permanent human settlements on Heard Island or the McDonald Islands. Visitors must obtain permission to land and either be mounting or joining an expedition for compelling scientific reasons.

Driver’s License

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US Embassy Info

U.S. Consulate General Sydney
MLC Centre
Level 10
19-29 Martin Place
Sydney, NSW 2000
Australia
Telephone: +(61) (2) 9373-9200
Emergency After-Hours Telephone: +(61) (2) 4422-2201
Fax: +(61) (2) 9373-9184
SydneyACS@state.gov

Local Visitor Info

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Local Emergency Phone Numbers

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Safety and Security

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