About Heard Island
Heard Island is a remote, uninhabited subantarctic island in the southern Indian Ocean administered by Australia and designated a nature reserve and UNESCO World Heritage Site. It is dominated by an active volcanic massif and extensive glaciation.
The island’s main visible feature is an active volcanic summit, Mawson Peak on Big Ben, which rises to about 2,745 metres and is the highest point on Australian territory outside the Australian continent. The landscape is largely glacier-covered with coastal cliffs and shorelines that support seabird and marine mammal colonies.
There is no permanent human habitation and no infrastructure for visitors; access is by expedition vessel only and landings are restricted and rare. Scientific teams periodically visit to study volcanology, glaciology and subantarctic ecosystems.
Heard Island lies in the southern Indian Ocean and is administered from Australia as an external territory. Its remoteness places it far from major continental centres and it is routinely reached only by long sea voyages.
- Protection and access: The island is uninhabited, largely covered by glaciers and is protected as an Australian nature reserve and UNESCO World Heritage Site, with visits limited to authorised scientific or carefully managed expeditions.
- Size and environment: Total land area is roughly 368 square kilometres, and the island is home to extensive glacial systems and subantarctic wildlife populations.
What to See#
- Mawson Peak / Big Ben: Mawson Peak, also known as Big Ben on Heard Island, is the island’s active volcanic summit rising to about 2,745 metres and dominates the island’s topography.
Best Time to Visit Heard Island
Heard Island is accessible only in the austral summer and only with strict permits; weather and sea state dictate actual opportunities.
Weather & Climate near Heard Island
Heard Island's climate is classified as Ice Cap - Ice Cap climate with freezing summers (peaking in February) and freezing winters (coldest in August). Temperatures range from -15°C to -5°C. Moderate rainfall (851 mm/year).
| Month | Comfort | Temp | Feels | Rain | Sky | Humidity | Wind | UV | Daylight |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| January | - | -11° - -5° | -15° | 104 mm | - | - | 5.1 m/s | - | - |
| February | - | -10° - -5° | -14° | 83 mm | - | - | 4.6 m/s | - | - |
| March | - | -11° - -6° | -16° | 60 mm | - | - | 7.0 m/s | - | - |
| April | - | -12° - -8° | -20° | 56 mm | - | - | 9.1 m/s | - | - |
| May | - | -13° - -11° | -22° | 40 mm | - | - | 8.9 m/s | - | - |
| June | - | -14° - -12° | -25° | 66 mm | - | - | 11.4 m/s | - | - |
| July | - | -15° - -13° | -26° | 76 mm | - | - | 10.2 m/s | - | - |
| August | - | -15° - -14° | -26° | 74 mm | - | - | 9.4 m/s | - | - |
| September | - | -15° - -13° | -24° | 51 mm | - | - | 8.3 m/s | - | - |
| October | - | -14° - -11° | -22° | 65 mm | - | - | 8.0 m/s | - | - |
| November | - | -13° - -8° | -19° | 82 mm | - | - | 5.8 m/s | - | - |
| December | - | -12° - -6° | -16° | 94 mm | - | - | 4.2 m/s | - | - |
How to Get to Heard Island
There are no scheduled passenger services. Access is usually via multi-week expedition vessels from Australia (often departing from Fremantle) during the austral summer. All visits require prior permission from the Australian Antarctic Division and compliance with strict biosecurity measures.
Tips for Visiting Heard Island
- Visits require a permit from the Australian government-contact the Australian Antarctic Division well in advance.
- Only travel on licensed scientific or expedition vessels during the austral summer (Dec-Mar).
- Prepare for ash, cold weather and rapidly changing conditions; the island's only summit, Mawson Peak, is an active volcano.