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Christmas Island

 

While Cocos is flat and displays the typical island look, Christmas Island stands over 350 metres above sea level and plunges steeply to a depth of 5000 metres, all with in 5km of the islands shore. The island has several plateaus all of different altitudes with five small villages located on each distinctive level. The lower section consists of the Settlement and Kampong areas, joined by the steep Murray Road towards Poon Saan, Silver City and Drumsite areas.

The National Park takes up to sixty three percent of the 135 km square island, leaving plenty of room to explore the many natural wonders. The most obvious and popular being the Red Crab migration. After the onset of the first rains, usually some time from late October to November, male crabs lead the migration and are joined by the females as they head towards the closest shore. The sight is a sprawling sea of moving red carpet. Some roads are closed temporarily in the National Park during this time to allow the crabs the best possible chance of survival.

 

 

Tours, Car Hire, Diving and Fishing Charters can all be pre booked in advance to provide a "Total Holiday Cost" before arrival. Christmas Island offers limited shopping facilites and being duty free, many items such as liquor, cigarettes and other duty free items are normally lower in price than other destinations.

 

Things to Do

There are many isolated beaches and look outs to choose from. More information can be obtained on arrival from the Visitor Information centre. A selection of our favorites include:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Is a cavern between the jungle floor and the impending ocean. The current can be unpredictable and the climb out is steep and over sharp rocks. We recommend viewing only.

 

 

Is covered in tiny shells instead of sand and is easily accessible in a two wheel drive car. Permanente gazebos have been built and a water tank is on hand for your convenience. There is also a board walk through the jungle to Ethel beach, where swimming is also accessible.

Extremely popular due to the drop off and isolation in the Indian Ocean. Whale Shark season is annually from late November to January. The islands design offers divers extraordinary views of the cliff face, underwater caves and enormous species of fish and sharks.

       

 

 

 

 

 

There are 23 breeding or resident species of birds on Christmas Island. This includes nine specites of seabird and 14 land birds. Owing to its proximity to Southeast Asia, Christmas Island attracts a lot of vagrant species never or rarely recorded in other parts of Australia and its Territories. A handful of migrants and vagrants also arrive from Australia. Many of these have only been recorded once or twice but some are recorded regularly. A number of rarities recorded on Christmas Island have never been recorded elsewhere in Australia. These include such cripplers as Cinnamon and Schrenck's Bitterns, Malayan Night Heron, Watercock, Asian Koel, Savannah Nightjar, Common Kingfisher and Brown Shrike, amongst others.

 

 

 

Bird watching/Sunset Cruise

Enjoy the experience of viewing birds from the water as they soar above the water, or you can experience a Christmas Island sunset over the water with champagne and chocolates to perfect the experience!

 

 

 

Bike Hire and Snorkel hire

Enjoy the island from a different perspective and hire a bike!

Our Island Explorer office on Christmas Island now has bikes and snorkelling equipment available to hire to explore the beauty of Christmas Island. Bikes are $15 per day or $70 for the whole week and the snorkelling equipment including fins and mask is $10 per day. Feel free to visit our friendly staff at our Island Explorer office to make a booking!

 

Shopping

Gold n Things Duty Free has a shop both at the airport and Barracks shopping centre. Pleasantly air-conditioned, offering a wide range of Duty Free perfumes, cameras, leather goods, jewellery, watches, sunglasses, alcohol, quality souvenirs and exceptional gift ware at very attractive prices.

Red Crab Surf Shop is located in the Barracks shopping centre and sells a wide range of current surf gear for men, women and children, including bathers, t-shirts, shorts, skirts, bags, watches and sunglasses. It is also the only place to purchase CDs on island.

Lintex Trading is opposite the pharmacy and sells t-shirts, shorts, shoes, fitness clothing and under garments. Tropicana Boutique is located in the Poon Saan shopping complex and sells are variety of clothes, shoes and gifts. Lucky Lukes is located in the Barracks shopping centre and offers Balinese type clothing, souvenirs, jewellery and gift ware.

Shorefire will supply you with all your fishing needs, from rods and lures to simple hand lines. Including additional extras like snorkelling masks, booties and bikes. They also have an ice machine on hand, perfect for chilling your duty free purchases!

Are located in several different places on island. The largest is in Settlement opposite the Gaseng petrol station, it has a walk in cool room for fruit and vegetables. Kampong has a Malay market shop and Poon Saan and Drumsite have Chinese market shops. All are open daily. The busiest time is just after any planes have arrived. Please note all fresh food is brought in by airfreight, so prices are more expensive than the mainland.

Christmas Island Facilities

Christmas Island Tourism Association is located opposite the supermarket in Settlement. Selling a range of souvenirs, informative books and cds about Christmas Island. They also have an internet and computer facilities for hire as well as bikes and golf clubs.

 

Christmas and Cocos Island Travel office is located in the Barracks shopping centre. Staff are on hand for enquiries, new bookings or changes to your existing bookings. Open from Monday to Friday 9am to 5pm and Saturday mornings 9am to 12 noon.

Christmas Island Pharmacy and Newsagency sells skin care, gifts, general medicines, magazines, newspapers and stationery items. Located in the settlement area between the supermarket and barracks shopping centre.

Christmas Island National parks office is located in Drumsite and apart from duties with in the park, they look after sick and orphaned birds.

Christmas Island taxis can collect you from the airport and take you to your hotel, to avoid a long wait pre-booking is essential prior to arrival. They can ferry you any where around town from Settlement to Drum Site.

Offering a range of waxing and nail services.

Center Casual memberships are available for tourists. Facilities include a 25m pool and full gym. Courts also are available for hire. Located next to the oval, on the road from the airport before Poon Saan.

The West Pac Bank is open usual mainland opening hours. There is no ATM or banking machine on island however most places accept bank and credit cards for sales, purchases and cash out.

Sells Australian souvenirs and the popular Christmas Island stamps. We recommend Express Posting all items as normal post can be delivered via the ship, which can take 2-3 months. Cash out facilities are also available to most Australian and some International banks for Efptos, Visa and Master cards only. Or money transfers can be arranged through Western Union from any Australian or International bank.

 

Open Monday-Friday 8am-3.30pm

This modern hospital is staffed 24 hours a day by experienced medical staff. Australian Medicare cards can be used and in the event of an emergency, a Medivac service to Australia is available if required.

Food and Beverage

The tavern and restaurant is located in the Barracks, Settlement and displays a tropical open air environment, overlooking the Indian Ocean. Specialising in European food with an Asian flavour and offering a darts competition once a week. Relax with cold beer or wine and gaze over the ocean under coconut palms.

The Tavern and Restaurant in a delightful tropical setting was built in the early 1950s and is located in the Settlement area. With a large grassed area, shaded by coconut trees over looking the Indian Ocean, they serve dinner 6 nights a week, offering a selection of beverages and al la carte meals of fish, meat and pasta with a wide range of wines and beers, specializing in cocktails.

Tavern and Restaurant is popular with local western workers as it has a pool table and weekly dart competition. Offering large home style cooked meals and duty free priced alcohol. Bring the mosquito repellent, as the tavern is located near the edge of the jungle. Open daily although meals are only available six nights a week.

Sells traditional Chinese noodles, rice and soup dishes. Open for lunches only and is closed during Chinese public holidays. Some foods can be hot so be careful to ask for mild if you have an aversion to hot and spicy dishes.

Is located upstairs above the Poon Saan shops. With a bar selling duty free priced alcohol and pool tables available for use of patrons. Is commonly the night club for the islands residents, however there is no loud speakers or flashing lights.

Is a Chinese restaurant located next to the Pool Hall, also above the Poon Saan shops. Offering traditional Chinese cuisine and occasional Karaoke in air-conditioned comfort. It is open 6 nights a week and provides a limited range of wines and beer and other beverages.

Is a Chinese restaurant located opposite the out door movie theatre in Poon Saan, with traditional Christmas Island style and open air under-covered atmosphere. Offering a wide range of ethnic Chinese food and a limited range of wines, beer and other beverages.

Is located at the Recreation Centre on the road from the airport to Poon Saan. Serving coffee, cakes, sandwiches and hot food. Open daily for lunches, in a clean air-conditioned environment, providing quick dine in or take away service.

Cafe is located in settlement opposite the Island Pharmacy. Specialising in cooked breakfasts, sandwiches and burgers. Open for breakfast and lunch only.

Special Events & Festivals

Enjoy a family day with friends.

Witness spectacular displays of culture and colour.

Experience the sensational cuisine of the local Malay community.

A week's ong event celebrating the islands heritage. Including Cove day (boat race), Sports day, Market night and many other celebrations.

Scientists and Expert Birders are flown in to teach participants in classes, in the field and hands on capturing and banding of seabirds, orphaned birds and endemic species.

© Island Explorer Holidays 2007