Flag of Heard Island and McDonald Islands
This is the flag of Australia, used for the territory: a Blue Ensign with a large seven-pointed white star below the Union Flag and the white stars of the Southern Cross in the fly.
What the flag means
The Union Flag acknowledges British settlement. Under the Flags Act 1953 the seven points of the Commonwealth Star stand for the six states and the territories. Ivor Evans, one of the designers, linked the Southern Cross's four main stars to justice, prudence, temperance and fortitude.
History
Heard Island and McDonald Islands have no flag of their own. A party from ANARE led by Stuart Campbell landed at Atlas Cove on 11 December 1947 and raised the Australian flag during its stay. Britain transferred the islands to Australia on 19 December 1950, backdated to December 1947. The islands are uninhabited.
The Australian flag was first flown on 3 September 1901, now Australian National Flag Day. Its Commonwealth Star has had seven points since 8 December 1908.
Sources
- Wikipedia: Flag of Australia
- Wikipedia: Heard Island and McDonald Islands
Last reviewed 24 October 2026. Read how we research flags in our editorial policy, or report a mistake.
