Christmas Island

Christmas Island, Australia

Rising majestically from the tropical depths of the vast Indian Ocean, and surrounded by the azure waters of Asia's southern fringe lies a stunning natural wonder - Christmas Island ...

Its name alone is intriguing and stirs interest. This tiny island in the Indian Ocean is a truly fascinating paradise, inviting you to uncover its remarkable surprises of nature in a one-of-a-kind environment.

Venture to this awe-inspring island for an unforgettable getaway.

Population:

Christmas Island is home to a vibrant and warm community with a cultural mix that colours island life with many traditions, celebrations and festivals. The 1500 islanders that make up the vibrant community include people of Chinese, Malay and European heritage with a blend of Buddhist, Christian, Taoist and Muslim cultures celebrated openly.

From it's early days of phosphate discovery in 1881, when settlers and workers arriving brought their cultural and religious traditions, the island community grew to become a fascinating melting pot of cultures.

Today, visitors are welcomed and encouraged to join in, learn more and experience the thriving, contemporary Christmas Island "feel" in the many amazing foods, festivals and places.

Currency:

Christmas Island operates with Australian Dollars and is duty free. Credit cards are widely accepted, and most businesses have EFTPOS facilities. There are no ATM's on Christmas Island and international visitors are encouraged to bring cash.

Emergency Numbers:

Police, Fire, Ambulance 000 (Triple Zero)

Opening Hours:

08:00-16:00

Newspapers:

A Multicultural Heritage

Christmas Island

The capital of Christmas Island is known as "The Settlement". For many island residents, life centres around Flying Fish Cove, its port, jetty and the towering presence of the loading dock and buildings owned by Christmas Island Phosphates.

Christmas Island is very much an Australasian nation. It may be governed by Australia, but it's roots lie in the short but eventful years of colonial rule. To really see each of the town and their inherent cultural differences and similarities, take time to explore. If you can, walking tours will give the best opportunities to see all the sites of historical importance.

Christmas Island is made up of a cluster of small communities, influenced equally by the past and the potential future.

Despite a background typical of European discovery and colonisation, this tiny island is possibly one of the worlds' most multicultural. People have come from Singapore, China, Malaysia, Indonesia, Japan and India. Indigenous Cocos Malays cover over in the early days of colonisation and in recent years, people have come from England, Wales, Italy and Switzerland. There's even a few Australians thrown in for good measure. This is a very thorough melting pot.

For visitors, its both a surprise and an absolute pleasure to see so many ethnic groups co-existing peacefully. There is a level of tolerance and co-operation between these groups that you see rarely, if at all, in the world.

The mixture also makes for an interesting holiday. Although the ethnic groups tend to cluster into one town or another, this is more of a habitual stance than a political one. You can see this on festival days when all the island's residents are happy to share an enjoy each others cultures. Whenever a holiday comes around - and there is virtually one every month - almost everyone takes part. Chinese New Year, Hari Raya and Christmas Day are events that give equal cause for celebration.

Top 10

Christmas Island

Christmas Island is a nature-lover's dream and you'll be spoilt for choice when it comes to the huge range of nature based-based activities available. Perhaps you'll need more than one trip !!

So whether you are visiting to witness the magic of the red crab migration, discover the rainforests' huge robber crabs, dive with whalesharks, relax on deserted beaches, or photograph a Golden Bosun in its regal flight, knowing what to expect ensures you get the best out of your escape.

Here are our Top 10 Christmas Island Experiences:

Scuba Diving

Christmas Island’s narrow fringing reef supports bountiful marine life, including 88 coral species and more than 600 species of fish. It’s an underwater wonderland for divers, with clear warm waters, coral reefs and spectacular wall dives. Soft corals, feather stars and gorgonian corals grow along vast walls which plunge into a seemingly bottomless abyss.

The fish community is distinctive because the island is a meeting place for Indian and Pacific Ocean fish species – it’s one of the few locations in the world where you’ll see Indian and Pacific Ocean fish swimming side by side. Some of these species interbreed to produce hybrids. Christmas Island has more hybrid fish than anywhere else in the world, making it a marine hybridisation zone of
international significance.

In addition to the hundreds of species of tropical fish, dolphins inhabit the island’s waters and whale sharks regularly visit during the wet season. Whale sharks generally first appear when the red crabs are spawning at the start of the wet season — they converge to supplement their plankton diet with crab larvae. Locations such as Flying Fish Cove, Ethel Beach, Dolly Beach, West White Beach, and Winifred Beach offer scuba divers and snorkellers a rewarding marine experience. At Flying Fish Cove and Ethel Beach shore diving is possible depending on the time of the year. There is excellent fishing, with sailfish, tuna and wahoo among some of the fish to be caught. You’ll find boat ramps at Flying Fish Cove and Ethel Beach.

Dining

Tastes of the Tropics - Christmas Island's Restaurants showcase its rich cultural mix. From spicy Asian fare to modern western cuisine often crafted to highlight fresh, local produce, you will find something delicious to suit your taste buds.

Restaurants, cafes and pubs offer a variety of styles, from traditional grills to colonial settings to laid back, casual pub options. Many offer the chance to relax over your meal while appreciating stunning outlooks.

Take advantage of the island's many picnic and barbecue venues, and pack your own hamper from fresh, tasty supplies available at local shops.