Heard Island is about 4100 kilometres south west of Perth in Western Australia. The McDonald Islands are about 43 km further west.
The French Territory Îles Kerguelen is the closest land and is about 450 kilometres to the north west. It takes around 10 days, depending on the weather, to get to Heard Island by ship from the port of Fremantle, near Perth in Western Australia.
Heard Island and the McDonald Islands (HIMI) and the surrounding waters are certainly unlike anywhere else in Australia, having Australia’s only active volcanoes, it’s highest mountain, and it’s only glaciers. That’s not to mention the teeming penguin, seal and flying bird colonies, which include several species with conservation status at a national and international level.
You can visit Heard Island if you apply to the Australian Antarctic Division for a permit to enter and undertake activities in the Territory of Heard Island and McDonald Islands (HIMI). The catch is that Heard Island is a long way from anywhere (approximately two weeks sail from Australia) and you have to pass through some of the roughest seas on the planet to get there, and back home again. Such voyages are very costly require considerable planning and logistical support.
HEALTH INFORMATION
We make every effort to ensure that the information posted on our website is up to date and accurate according to the latest public health recommendations; however, it is impossible for us to make changes on a daily basis.
For the most current travel health recommendations, please call our clinic as make an appointment with one of our travel health professionals.
HEARD ISLAND AND MCDONALD ISLANDS – RECOMMENDED VACCINES
| Hepatitis A | Recommended for all travelers. |
| Tetanus – Diphteria – Pertussis Vaccine | Tetanus: In exceptional circumstances (eg, stay in a region where access to health care is limited), for a person aged 18 years or older, 1 dose of DT may be given if 5 years or more has elapsed since the last dose. Otherwise, one booster dose at the age of 50*. Pertussis (Whooping Cough): 1 dose is recommended for pregnant women, for every pregnancy, regardless of immunization history and the interval since the last dose (betwen week 26 and 32). *Only applicable for Quebec. |
| Measles – Rubella – Mumps | Two doses recommended for all travelers born after 1970, if not previously given. |
| Rabies | For travelers at high risk of animal bites or being involved in activities with bats. Clients who plan to visit remote areas may consider receiving this vaccine. Important to note the pre-exposure rabies vaccine is administered in 2 doses with one week interval between doses. Post-exposure vaccination is always recommended, even for those previously vaccinated. |
| Flu – Influenza | Seasonal influenza occurs worldwide. The flu season usually runs from November to April in the northern hemisphere, between April and October in the southern hemisphere and year round in the tropics. Influenza (flu) is caused by a virus spread from person to person through coughing and sneezing or by touching infected surfaces. Everyone 6 months and older should get a flu vaccine yearly. Vaccine is recommended 14 days prior to departure. |
RECOMMENDED MEDICATIONS
| Antibiotics Traveler’s Diarrhea | Ciprofloxacin, Azithromycin or Suprax. |
SECURITY ABROAD
