Guidelines for Tourist Operations and Visits
Tourist Guidelines
Macquarie Island is part of the Australian State of Tasmania. The Macquarie Island Nature Reserve covers the main island, surrounding islands, and includes all of the ocean surrounding the island out to a distance of 3 nautical miles. Macquarie Island is also an UNESCO Biosphere Reserve and is listed on the Register of the National Estate. The Macquarie Island World Heritage Area includes the Island and surrounding waters out to a distance of 12 nautical miles. A Commonwealth Marine Park covers most of the waters on the eastern side of the Island, out to the 200-nautical-mile limit. Macquarie Island is subject to both State and Commonwealth legislation aimed at protecting its special values. A scientific station on the Island is operated by the Australian Government Antarctic Division (AGAD) on behalf of the Commonwealth Government.
Access to and management of the Reserve is the responsibility of the Parks & Wildlife Service, a Division of the Tasmanian Department of Tourism, Arts and the Environment. Macquarie Island Nature Reserve is a restricted area under Regulation 11 of the National Parks and Reserved Land Regulations 1999 and all visitors must have an Access Authority, or must be accompanied by an authorised person, in order to enter or remain in the Reserve. Prior approval must be obtained from the Department before any visits are allowed.
Guidelines for Tourist Operations and Visits Macquarie Island Nature Reserve World Heritage Area
These are available for download as a PDF (3400 Kb)
To All Those Interested in Tourist Visits to Macquarie Island
The Tasmanian Parks and Wildlife Service has called for expressions of interest from tourist operators seeking permits to visit Macquarie Island for the summer of 2009-2010.
As part of the selection process we are seeking a written response from operators (by email, fax. or letter) by 29 May 2009. Selection criteria for tourist operators can be accessed in the tourist vessel criteria document.
For those proposing to visit for the first time in 2009-2010, and for others who have not already done so, it will be to your advantage to read and respond to the attached selection criteria document. In the event that there are more applicants than places, we will use your response to help us choose who is given first offers.
If you have any trouble accessing the attachment, please contact us (see below) and we will fax you a copy.
Contact the Parks and Wildlife Service - Southern Region
PO 126 Moonah
Tasmania 7009
Phone:03 6233 7876
Criteria for Selection of Macquarie Island Tourist Vessels
This document is available for download as a PDF (68 KB)