Macquarie Island: a true wildlife hotspot
Macquarie Island is about halfway between Hobart and the Antarctic, so it has about the same latitude as London give or take, but it doesn’t have the Gulf Stream to keep it warm.
In the winter time, it can get quite bleak down there.
It’s a World Heritage property now. It was recognised as a UN Biosphere Reserve even back in the 1970s and 1980s. So even in the early days it was recognised as a very unique location, particularly for wildlife.
Douglas Mawson was responsible for having declared a nature reserve early in the 20th century, to try to stop the sealing and the harvesting of animals on the island. So the island was, and still is covered in wildlife. It’s an oceanic island. These things are wildlife hotspots.
Every time, it’s like the first time. You’re just like a kid in the candy store when you see that much wildlife.
I’m very privileged. I’ve been to Macquarie Island 10 more times now, on different occasions for different reasons.
And the wildlife haven’t learned to fear humans. We’re just part of the landscape.
Sure, if you go chasing one that’s something, but otherwise if you sit down and become part of the landscape the wildlife comes to you. And to have something like that happen is a very special and a very remarkable experience.
Dr Eric Woehler
Macquarie Island is about halfway between Hobart and the Antarctic, so it has about the same latitude as London give or take, but it doesn’t have the Gulf Stream to keep it warm.
In the winter time, it can get quite bleak down there.
It’s a World Heritage property now. It was recognised as a UN Biosphere Reserve even back in the 1970s and 1980s. So even in the early days it was recognised as a very unique location, particularly for wildlife.
Douglas Mawson was responsible for having declared a nature reserve early in the 20th century, to try to stop the sealing and the harvesting of animals on the island. So the island was, and still is covered in wildlife. It’s an oceanic island. These things are wildlife hotspots.
Every time, it’s like the first time. You’re just like a kid in the candy store when you see that much wildlife.
I’m very privileged. I’ve been to Macquarie Island 10 more times now, on different occasions for different reasons.
And the wildlife haven’t learned to fear humans. We’re just part of the landscape.
Sure, if you go chasing one that’s something, but otherwise if you sit down and become part of the landscape the wildlife comes to you. And to have something like that happen is a very special and a very remarkable experience.
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