Macquarie Island, Sub Antarctic Island

Macquarie Island lies in the southwest corner of the Pacific Ocean, about half-way between New Zealand and Antarctica. Politically, it has formed part of the Australian state of Tasmania since 1900 and became a Tasmanian State Reserve in 1978. In 1997 it became a world heritage site. Ecologically, it is part of the Antipodes Subantarctic Islands tundra ecoregion.

The Australian Antarctic Division (AAD) maintains a permanent base, the Macquarie Island Station, on the isthmus at the northern end of the island at the foot of Wireless Hill. The base's residents, the island's only inhabitants, range in numbers from 20 to 40 people throughout the year.

Fauna found on the island include: Subantarctic Fur Seals, Antarctic Fur Seals, New Zealand Fur Seals and Southern Elephant Seals - over 80,000 individuals of this species. Royal Penguins and Macquarie Shags are endemic breeders, while King Penguins, Southern Rockhopper Penguins and Gentoo Penguins also breed here in large numbers.

Things to see and do

* King, Rockhopper and Gentoo Penguins
* Sea birds
* Fur Seals
* Albatross

General Information

Cruise Season - Nov - April
Currency - Australian Dollar (AUD)
Language - English
Population - 20 - 40 approx
Land Area - 128 km²
Time - GMT plus eight hours
Electricity - 2 angled pins and 1 flat pin centered below Australian style
International Country Telephone Code - 61

Port Location - The ports of Hobart (Australia), Auckland and Lyttelton-Christchurch (New Zealand) would commonly be used for access to Macquarie Island.