Saddle Point and Downes Glacier. Photo by J. Hughes

The spectacular landscape at Heard Island and McDonald Islands (HIMI) is quite unlike anywhere else in Australia and has few, if any, parallels elsewhere in the world.

Distinctive physical features such as permanent glaciers, an active volcano and coastal lagoons dominate the landscape. However interesting and important geographical features can be found at all scales, ranging down from Big Ben, the 2745 metre high volcano towering over Heard Island, to coastal wetlands, lava tubes, rocky beaches and even the ever-present glassy volcanic grit.

The pages in this section provide an introduction to the Geology, Geomorphology and Glaciology and Wetlands of HIMI. Check out the Landscape Images page in the Image Gallery for some pictures of the landscape described here.