‘Very special place’: The Australian island you’ve probably never heard of

A marine geophysicist says the little known Heard Island is a “very special place” that should be protected from any federal government legislation.

The island – which is an Australian overseas territory – lies 4,000 km south west of the mainland and is only accessible by sea.

Emeritus Professor Mike Coffin from the Institute for Marine and Antarctic Studies told Heidi Murphy the area was unlike any other place in mainland Australia.

Click PLAY to hear the full interview with Mike Coffin on 3AW

“It’s a very special place,” Mr Coffin told 3AW.

“It has glaciers and has an active volcano and has things that are nowhere else in Australia.”

Image: Getty