The Australian Antarctic Program has completed two environmental management and research voyages to Heard Island and McDonald Islands – the first campaign of its kind in 20 years.

The islands are an Australian external territory, located in the Southern Ocean, about 4,000km south-west of Australia.

They are World Heritage-listed for their globally significant ecology and geo-heritage values and are home to large seabird and seal populations.

Australia’s icebreaker RSV Nuyina acted as a floating science laboratory and accommodation for the scientists and expeditioners who travelled to the region on the first voyage in October 2025 and the second in January 2026.

Thank you to all the scientists, crew and expeditioners who contributed photos and imagery for this compilation.