Heard & McDonald Islands
Travel tips for Heard & McDonald Islands: safety advisories, currency and cash vs. card, tap water, plugs, local phrases, food, and advice from travelers.
Cash and cards
Cash is essential. Heard and McDonald Islands are an uninhabited, strictly regulated Australian nature reserve with no shops, commercial facilities, or economy, meaning visitors on permitted expeditions will not need to use cash or cards.
Try the food
- Expedition Rations: High-calorie, freeze-dried meals prepared with boiling water for field scientists and explorers.
- Anzac Biscuits: Sweet, hard biscuits made with rolled oats, golden syrup, and desiccated coconut, often brought on Australian expeditions.
- Shipboard Stew: A hearty, warming meat and vegetable stew served in the galley of visiting expedition vessels.
Essentials
- Voltage
- 230V, 50Hz
- Driving
- Left side
- SIM tip
- There is no cellular network on the islands; all communication must be done via satellite phones arranged through your expedition operator.
Etiquette
Strict biosecurity rules apply; visitors must thoroughly decontaminate all clothing and gear to prevent introducing alien species to this pristine, uninhabited environment.