Christmas Island - 1 Week
Author Ian Usher under CC - 3.0 Unported license.
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Island Info
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Image by Gerd Altmann from Pixabay
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A lone island about 400 km south of Java with 80km of coastline ringed with cliffs and lush jungle
are a group of 27 islands of which 2 are inhabited with long pristine beaches and swaying palm trees
You don't need a visa if you're flying in from perth or Fiji and these are the only 2 places you can fly in from. Of courses you could need a visa to get in to them. As usual check the flights then check the Embassy. One way or the other you're probably going to need an Australian Visa.
Australians don't need to take their passport. Photo ID is enough
Most things have to be imported so costs are higher than usual. However with the weak Australian dollar most western travellers will find it balances out a bit. As will the Duty Free Booze
Accommodation is limited and not great value.
from Perth are around $1000. Flights from Jakarta and Kuala Lumpur are similar. Remember it is a remote and exotic destination. The outdoor cinema is a bargain at $5.
Another option would be to get an all inclusive package with flights, accommodation and car hire for about $2,000 PP. You can also get a combination Cocos Keeling and Christmas Islands package for around $2,700
1,900
AKA -
The Galapagos of the Indian Ocean
About -
Is a remote territory owned by Australia. Fly in and pick up a rental car (4WD is best) at the airport. Drive around and take in the stunning natural beauty at your leisure. If you wanted to save money you could get one for 2 or 3 days to see the sights.
A holiday destination like no other. If you're a nature lover this is the place for you. Check out package holidays to see if they will save you money. This is Australia's best kept secret. Even from Australians. It only gets 2,000 visitors a year and is pristine
October at the start of the wet season to see the crab migration. Although it can be as late as January. And there are crabs around all year.
November to April for the Whale Sharks
April to November for sunnier drier weather
June for low humidity
All year round it is a tropical paradise
How about Christmas at Christmas Island
Airport - hire a rental car at the airport to get around
You'll need to fly from Perth or Fiji to
Christmas Island Airport (XCH)
Also flights from Jakarta and Kuala Lumpur
(Since Covid the only flight that has resumed is from Perth)
Ferry -
P&O Cruises stop here / You might be able to crew on a yacht coming this way
Stay -
is where you will find accommodation and restaurants. Most are around the $200 an night mark.
At the western end of the island you will find the all inclusive Private Chef, Free Flow Bar, eco - luxury
Out near the airport is the Christmas Island Resort. It was originally going to be a casino. It doesn't have a website.
Features -
Ringed by 20 metre cliffs broken up by small bays. beaches and limestone caves
As it is on the edge of the Java trench as close as 20 metres off shore the bottom drops 5 km to the ocean floor which creates unique diving experiences found nowhere else on the planet / 575 species of tropical fish
An English Captain stumbled across the island on Christmas Day in 1643.
Chinese, Sikh and Malay labour was brought in to work the Phosphate mines in the 19th and 20th centuries.
The Japanese invaded and occupied in WWII and hundreds of islanders were sent to POW camps in Indonesia.
In 1946 it was placed under the jurisdiction of the Crown Colony of Singapore.
In 1958 Australia took ownership off of Singapore and paid £2,800,000compensation for lost Phosphate revenues.
Australia built a detention centre in 2003 for "Boat People" - refugees trying to reach Australia by boat. It was closed in 2018.
The Morrison government unpopularly opened it again in 2019 to house a family from Sri Lanka. Known as the Bileola Family after the small Queensland town they had built a life in and had become beloved members of the community
· See -
Saturday Nights and every second Wednesday
· Do -
on well marked trails
Great reefs and marine life for Diving
(60 Dive sites with species you can only see here in some of the clearest waters in the world) and Snorkelling (straight out from the beach at Flying Fish Cove)
November to April / Swimming Pool
in the rainforest with stunning views of the coast - just beware of Robber Crabs stealing your balls
Walking tour of the Settlement
· Highlights -
2/3's of the island is a National Park with 4WD tracks, walking trails, boardwalks, which go to waterfalls, cliff top look outs and beautiful beaches and blow holes
14 Species of Crabs / 80,000 Seabirds nest annually / Endemic Flora and Fauna / Abbott's Boobies
Wesrtern, Malay and Chinese cuisine is available / Rummah Tringgi Tavern - Fine dining with views of the Indian Ocean / Golden Bosun Tavern - Fusion / Long's bakery / Cafes and Pubs / DIY Picnics and BBQ's
Drink -
Not big on raging nightlife but there are some very pleasant places to enjoy a drink and look out over the Indian Ocean / the 2 afore mentioned restaurants & taverns / Tracks Tavern
Duty Free Booze
Sundowners -
South Point / The Golden Bosun / Bar Terraces
Specialties -
Tips -
There is a Visitor Centre which is very helpful
Get a free* stopover in the Cocos (Keeling) Islands
One leg of each return flight from Perth goes via the Cocos Islands (Another remote Australian Territory in the Indian Ocean). Stop over for a few days to enjoy the pristine beaches
Famous -
In October 50 million of them make their way from the jungle to the ocean. Sir David Attenborough has described it as one of the greatest natural wonders on the planet. You will see thousands of them at any time of the year especially in the forest.
It is also home to the world's largest crab, the robber or Coconut crab which lives for 100 years and grows to a metre wide
· Festivals -
Australia Day
Extra -
If you're flying in or out via Perth have a look at the # 127 Kalgoorlie Loop and the #139 Nullabor Links Golf Trip
