Macquarie Island World Heritage Area
Please Note: Rabbits and rats are posing a severe threat to World Heritage values on Macquarie Island, as research reveals widespread damage to terrestrial ecosystems. These impacts include devastating effects upon native fauna, flora, geomorphology, natural landscape values and nutrient recycling systems.
A Draft Plan for the Eradication of Rabbits and Rodents on Subantarctic Macquarie Island has been developed to achieve the restoration of Macquarie Island’s biodiversity and natural systems as much as possible. See our web pages for further details.
On 3 December, 1997 Macquarie Island was listed as a World Heritage Area - the second Tasmanian World Heritage Area. Macquarie Island is a site of outstanding geological and natural significance on a world scale.
The island is one of only a very few in the Pacific sector of the Southern Ocean where fauna in the region can breed. Around 3.5 million seabirds and 80,000 elephant seals arrive on Macquarie Island each year to breed and moult. Fur seals are beginning to re-establish populations on the island after nearly being exterminated in the early 19th century.
More information about Macquarie Island can be found on the Australian Antarctic Division's web site, at
www.aad.gov.au/default.asp?casid=7151
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Where is Macquarie Island?
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Learn about the remarkable geology of the island which led to World Heritage listing
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Despite its remote location Macquarie Island has a rich history
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Visitors must have an Access Authority, or must be accompanied by an authorised person, in order to enter or remain in the Reserve
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A detailed document covering all aspects of Macquarie island and its management
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Special Management Areas are declared from year to year to further protect vulnerable species, vegetation communities or sites extremely vulnerable to human disturbance.
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The unique natural values of this remote sub-antarctic island are being threatened by introduced rabbits and rodents. The eradication of these animals is now the highest conservation priority for the reserve.
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Discover the unique wildlife and vegetation of Macquarie Island