The Australian Territory of Heard Island and McDonald Islands (HIMI) is one of the wildest places on earth - a smoking volcano under snow and glacial ice that rises above the world's stormiest waters.

HIMI is the only sub-Antarctic island group that has an intact ecosystem, to which no known species has been introduced directly by humans, and where the ongoing evolution of plants and animals occurs in a natural state. The vast numbers of penguins and seals that occupy the beaches are considered one of the great wildlife sights of the world.

Australian Territory of Heard Island and McDonald Islands was inscribed on the World Heritage List in 1997. Australian Territory of Heard Island and McDonald Islands was one of 15 World Heritage places included in the National Heritage List on 21 May 2007.