Country Profile: Heard Island and McDonald Islands

Heard Island and McDonald Islands are remote Australian territories located in the Indian Ocean, characterized by their rugged terrain and uninhabited status. The islands serve primarily for scientific research, with a surrounding area rich in marine biodiversity but limited fishing activities. Governed by Australia, they are administered as part of the Australian Antarctic Division and have earned recognition as a UNESCO World Heritage site due to their unique environmental features.

Geography

Heard Island and McDonald Islands are situated about two-thirds of the way from Madagascar to Antarctica, with a total area of 412 square kilometers, predominantly covered in ice and mountainous terrain. The highest point, Mawson Peak, reaches 2,745 meters, making it the tallest mountain in Australian territory. The region is characterized by an antarctic climate and experiences natural hazards due to the presence of active volcanism.

412 sq km: Total area of the islands.
2,745 m: Height of Mawson Peak on Heard Island.
101.9 km: Length of the coastline.
0%: Agricultural land use, highlighting its uninhabited status.
200 nm: Exclusive fishing zone surrounding the islands.

People and Society

Heard Island and McDonald Islands are uninhabited territories primarily utilized for scientific research and expeditions. Due to their remoteness and harsh climatic conditions, permanent human settlement is not feasible.

Uninhabited: The islands have no permanent population.

Government

Heard Island and McDonald Islands are a territory of Australia, administered from Canberra by the Department of Agriculture, Water, and the Environment. The legal framework reflects that of Australia, and the Australian flag represents the territory. They are known for being designated as a World Heritage site for their natural landscape.

Territory of Australia: Administered by the Australian Antarctic Division.
1: Number of World Heritage Sites in the territory.
Flag of Australia: Used as the national flag.

Military and Security

The defense of Heard Island and McDonald Islands is under the responsibility of Australia, as they are not self-governing entities. There is no military presence on the islands given their uninhabited nature.

Defense responsibility: Managed by Australia.

Transportation

There are two heliports on the islands, facilitating scientific research and expeditions to and from the remote locations.

2: Number of heliports available as of 2025.

Communications

Heard Island and McDonald Islands utilize the Internet country code of .hm, indicating their status as a distinct territory within Australia's digital landscape.

Key Metrics

Metric	Value	Note
Area	412 sq km	Total land area
Population	Uninhabited	No permanent population
Highest Point	2,745 m	Mawson Peak on Heard Island
Coastline	101.9 km	Length of the coastal perimeter
Exclusive Fishing Zone	200 nm	Surrounding maritime claims
Heliports	2	Number of heliports (2025)
National Heritage Sites	1	UNESCO designation