Australian scientists will set sail on a wet, wild and windy expedition to research whether bird flu has reached World Heritage-listed islands in Antarctica.

A group of experts will voyage to Heard and McDonald islands, 4000 kms southwest of Western Australia, as part of the nation's biggest campaign to the area in two decades.

Environment Minister Murray Watt, who joined the scientists in Hobart on Friday, said Australia was the only continent remaining free of the h5 strain of bird flu, despite it having spread globally.

"There are other Antarctic islands where we have seen bird flu and it's important for us to understand whether that may have occurred at Heard and McDonald islands as well," Senator Watt said.

Agriculture Minister Julie Collins said the 10-day mission would improve A

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