Heard Island and McDonald Islands are an external territory of Australia located in the southern Indian Ocean, approximately 4,100 kilometers southwest of Perth. The islands are uninhabited and are among the most remote territories on Earth. The group consists of Heard Island, the much smaller McDonald Islands, and numerous small offshore rocks and shoals. Heard Island is dominated by Mawson Peak, an active volcano which is the highest mountain in any Australian territory, rising to 2,745 meters above sea level. The islands are home to the only two active volcanoes on Australian territory. The entire territory was inscribed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1997 for its outstanding natural universal values, recognized as a pristine ecosystem and a vital refuge for wildlife. The islands feature significant glaciers, including the massive Gotley Glacier, and provide critical breeding grounds for vast populations of seabirds and marine mammals, such as penguins, albatrosses, and seals. The surrounding marine environment is protected as a marine reserve. Due to the extreme isolation and harsh weather conditions, access to the islands is strictly controlled and limited to scientific expeditions with specific permits. The territory has no permanent human population and has never been commercially exploited, allowing its natural processes to continue largely undisturbed.