The Australian Antarctic Data Centre (AADC) holds current and historic maps of Heard Island and McDonald Island (HIMI). Staff in the AADC Mapping Program manage additional collections of remote sensing imagery (including satellite, aerial and drone imagery), which include coverage of the HIMI region.

AADC staff can assist the Australian Antarctic Program in preparing for field campaigns to the Heard Island and McDonald Island region through the production of maps, sourcing of new satellite imagery and with the curation and storage/access of remote sensing imagery collected during these campaigns.

The following information provides details and links to existing HIMI map products, spatial data and imagery collections. It also provides additional guidance for people involved in projects through the AAP who have specific spatial data requirements.

Black and white image of early Heard Island map
Early map of Heard Island

Maps

Maps are available for downloading from the Map Catalogue in multiple formats. For best screen view and print quality, download PDF and open in Adobe Acrobat Reader. Go to Edit → Preferences → Page Display. In the Rendering box, uncheck “Enhance thin lines”.

Enquiries to mapping@antarctica.gov.au.

Location, boundary and overview maps

Detailed topographic maps

Environmental/science maps

2003 maps

Satellite imagery maps

Spatial information for people involved in Australian Antarctic Program (AAP) field campaigns to HIMI

GIS data

Spatial data can be accessed from our GeoServer site using server connections in QGIS or ArcGIS Pro. In GeoServer, right click on the desired service (eg WFS 2.0.0) to copy the URL and paste into the server connection dialogue box or the GIS platform you are using. Refer to QGIS instructions or ESRI instructions if you need further information on connecting to external servers. 

Survey control

For projects that include a surveying component, please contact the AAD surveyor via email surveying@aad.gov.au. The AAD also has a Survey Control database.

Heard Island Survey Control Marks
Station Code Location Datum Latitude (decimal degrees) Longitude (decimal degrees) MSL
NMOS85 Drygalski ITRF2000 −53.03679311 73.39741689 210
NMOS86 Dovers Initial Point ITRF2000 −53.01922825 73.39325747 1.35
NMOS87 Atlas Cove ITRF2000 −53.01909761 73.39338781 2.23
NMOS88 Red Island ITRF2000 −52.96492886 73.30375008 94
NMOS89 Dovers Crater ITRF2000 −53.00608453 73.40391253 97
NMY05 Doppler Hill ITRF2000 −53.13586972 73.72255397  
NMOS90 Corinth Head ITRF2000 −53.00803678 73.41562272 180
NMOS91 Saddle Point ITRF2000 −53.01277119 73.49846119 105.98
NMOS92 Aubert De La Rue ITRF2000 −53.02268936 73.37297375 124
NMOS93 Andrée ITRF2000 −53.03285219 73.36751492 141
NMOS94 Round Hill ITRF2000 −53.06991231 73.64683806 382
NMOS96 Cape Gazert ITRF2000 −53.07545756 73.37222697 95.3
NMOS97 Railway Station ITRF2000 −53.0190005 73.39205906 4.06
AUS093 Atlas Cove ITRF2000 −53.01861725 73.39340983 4.69
AUS094 Spit Bay ITRF2000 −53.10728189 73.72060608 10.87
AUS095   ITRF2000 −53.13778289 73.41269475 132.05
AUS096 Cape Arkona ITRF2000 −53.16362944 73.43889875 218.54
AUS097 Cape Labuan ITRF2000 −53.19067522 73.49105186 45.84
NMOS95 Scarlet Hill ITRF2000 −53.09579703 73.66650172 409.18
AUS331 Spit Bay ITRF2000@2000 −53.10742392 73.72042664 13.615
AUS346 Atlas Cove ITRF2000@2000 −53.01825783 73.39347583 4.453
AUS347 Atlas Cove ITRF2000@2000 −53.01888867 73.39205128 3.784
AUS348 Spit Bay ITRF2000@2000 −53.01945717 73.39256928 2.754

Aerial photography

AADC stores aerial photography film holdings (including the HIMI area) in Amazon S3 storage in the cloud. The imagery can be searched and browsed through a spatiotemporal asset catalog (STAC) which provides information on image collection and on individual images. Information includes flightline data, photo centres and a thumbnail for each scanned image.

To search, view and download the full-sized images you will need to search for the image(s) you want using the STAC and then access and download the imagery from Amazon S3 using an S3 client. This requires the following steps:

Install and configure an S3 client:

  • Request access to AADC Amazon S3 storage. This is an automatically generated request form - click the hyperlink and enter your email in the space provided and you will receive an email with your S3 credentials (access key and secret key) and links for instructions on how to access the data.
  • Follow the instructions in the email and in the S3 download guide to install an S3 client and configure with the access credentials provided.
  • This will provide you with access to the aadc-aerial-photography-film bucket from which you can navigate to the folder containing the image you want.
  • Access will be for a 2-week period and then expire. In the event you need access again after this time, simply use the above link again and new credentials will be provided to you.

Browse the STAC for imagery:

  • The aerial photography is organised by film number. Key HIMI coverage numbers are listed below. You can click directly on the hyperlinks provided below or use the filter function to search on specific film collections.
  • To locate the imagery in S3 you will need to click the "Copy URL for Amazon S3" button in an individual image entry page. This can be found by opening an individual image entry within a film collection (eg image "antc1068-r1-f1" within collection "ANTC1068") and locating the link for the "TIFF" file which is under "Assets". Copy and paste the URL into a word document or note pad.

Download your image:

  • You can paste the entire URL copied into your browser. It will ask to open your S3 client and prompt you to enter your S3 credentials - access key and secret key. It will then download your selected image.
  • Alternatively, open your S3 client and navigate to the aadc-aerial-photography-film bucket. Use trailing elements of the URL (after the bucket name) to navigate to the file you have requested and download from there.


Key film numbers for HIMI coverage include:

Drone / uncrewed aerial vehicles / UAV Imagery

All planned UAV activities should first be consulted on with the DCCEEW Deputy Chief Remote Pilot (AAD) on drones@aad.gov.au to discuss the project’s planned use of drones and for standard operating procedures.

Satellite imagery

Satellite imagery is purchased subject to licence agreements which stipulate use and distribution. Where multiple AAP projects are planned in overlapping areas the purchase of new satellite imagery can be coordinated and shared across projects and institutions and the educational discount can be applied. To do this, purchases need to be made through the AADC on behalf of each project. The AAD is able to sub-license satellite imagery from Maxar Technologies for the duration of individual projects to the associated users. Additionally, tasking of satellites can be arranged and the AADC is currently in the process of obtaining access to MGP Pro (Maxar imagery) and OneAtlas (Airbus imagery) to procure both recent and archive imagery.

Access to proprietary satellite imagery (currently only Maxar)

If you are not a listed investigator on an AAS project, please proceed with the below steps to engage with a Chief Investigator (CI) on an existing project.

  1. Discuss your project with a CI of an existing project.
    • To find an existing project, search the projects database and select 2025/26 from the Season drop down list. Select the project number from the left column to identify the CI’s name and affiliation, title and project aims. If the project has already had a previous season, project summary notes are provided further down the page along with a list of relevant publications.
    • If none of the projects are relevant, reach out to planning@aad.gov.au to discuss further
  2. If the CI agrees to add you to the project, an email directly from the CI must be sent to planning@aad.gov.au detailing the additional names (each person who will want access to the imagery – including students) to be added to the project and in what capacity.
  3. Upon review and acceptance from the Science Planning and Coordination team, the additional names will be added to the project.
  4. Once all names are added to the project, follow the below steps.

If you are a listed investigator on an AAS project, please proceed with the below steps:

  1. Request a sub-license agreement by emailing remotesensing@antarctica.gov.au
  2. Signed sub-license agreement per institution returned to above email*
  3. Request an image request form by above email
  4. Submit image request form detailing which images are being requested to above email
  5. Images are provided with both Maxar license and AADC sub-license terms

* Please note: If the Sub-licensee uses the Material without returning a signed copy of this letter, it will be taken to have accepted that it has understood and agreed to be legally bound by these terms.

Spatial extent of imagery (existing and requested)

A map is currently being produced. This map will be updated as imagery is purchased.

Exploring additional imagery

If considering additional imagery, utilise the Maxar Xpress website. Take note of the Image ID number for communication with the AADC and please include EACH individual area of interest (AOI) as either a KML or zipped shapefile folder.

Note that the AADC will soon have an MGP Pro account and will be able to search additional imagery that may not be visible on the MGP Xpress website.

Access to freely available satellite imagery

There is a wealth of freely available optical and radar imagery from a broad range of satellites. A great way to explore this imagery is through the EO Browser. Once you find an image of interest, use the link button to copy the S3 location and open in your GIS software of choice.

For help on importing S3 data using ArcGIS or QGIS, see the AADC help and resources page which will be updated to include step-by-step guides.

If having access difficulty with QGIS, please update to the most current version of QGIS.

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