Christmas Island is not only a place for relaxing but there are also non-stop activities and a range of exciting places to explore. We are the perfect destination if you are planning an adventure with a difference.
Here are just a few activities available on the island:
Golf ~
Golf is one of the favourite pastimes of Islanders and the Golf Course
is well worth a try for professional golfers or first timers. The 9-hole
golf course is situated amongst palm trees and tropical rainforest with
a magnificent view of the Indian Ocean. Green Fees of $10 per round are
payable for non-members. Clubs are available for hire from the Christmas
Island Visitor's Centre and visitors are most welcome. Christmas Island
Frigates nest inland from the course and land crabs can be a local hazard.
Click here for more information
about the Christmas Island Golf Course
Snorkelling ~
| With the coral reefs surrounding the Island, snorkelling is a must on every visit to Christmas Island as the abundance of fish and coral to see is breathtaking, just a few metres from the shore. Popular and accessible Flying Fish Cove is great for snorkelling and swimming. |  |
Scuba Diving ~
The Scuba Diving possibilities around Christmas Island are superb. Indian
Ocean Dive and Wet'n'Dry Adventures have fully surveyed boats to take divers
out to some of the best diving locations on the planet. Due to limited space
on the boats, bookings for scuba diving should be made prior to arrival
on the island.
Click here for more information on diving
Nature Walks ~
With 63% of Christmas Island being National Park, a walk through the rainforest
can be both enjoyable and can range from easy to difficult walks. Nature
walks will help you discover first hand the Christmas Island endemic flora
and fauna. For further information on Nature Walks, contact the Christmas
Island Visitors Centre or Parks Australia North.
Click here for more information on the National
Park
Tours ~
Tours can help tourists really experience the wonders of Christmas Island. With a Christmas Island tour you can stand under Hugh’s Waterfall, see the magnificent views from Margaret Knoll or watch the Blowholes as they constantly amaze. There is information about the Island at all tourist sites and most take a short walk to get to, so make sure you pack good walking shoes.
Car Rental ~
There are various car rental businesses on the Island to let you explore the island by yourself - It is highly recommended pre-booking a vehicle prior to your arrival, due to the limited number of rental vehicles available. Contact the Christmas Island Tourism Association for further details or to make a booking:
Kiats Car Rental
Telephone : +61 439215678
Full Moon International
Telephone: + 61 8 9164 8811 or fax
Fax : + 61 8 9 64 8822
Email: fmi@pulau.cx
Soongs Car Rental
Telephone: + 61 8 9164 8191
Fax: + 61 8 9164 819
CHRISTMAS ISLAND PLACES TO SEE
Christmas Island has many natural attractions that will suit visitors of all ages and levels of fitness. Here are just a sample of some of the beautiful places to visit on your Christmas Island Adventure:
Flying Fish Cove
Adjacent to the port area and the main mooring sites, the Flying Fish Cove
is located at the base of the Settlement area and is home to the Kampong
(Malay for village) and the Mosque. The Cove is suitable for both swimming
and snorkelling, although it is advisable to wear reef shoes at all times
to protect feet from sharp coral and stone fish. It offers many great shore
dive s and has some of the best diversity and abundance of tropical fish
anywhere. The Cove also provides some of the most protected ocean swimming
on the island. There are picnic facilities, BBQ's (Halal and non-Halal),
public toilets and showers. The island's main boat launching facility
is also located here.
The "Cove" is also a great location slow down to Christmas Island
pace and join the locals watching the sun setting.
Tai Jin House
Located just up the hill beyond Flying Fish Cove, this is the original home
of the Administrator of the Island - affectionately known locally as "Buck
House". The expansive gardens are used for community events and provide
excellent views overlooking Flying Fish Cove.
A little way past Tai Jin House there is an old gun and buildings that were
used to defend the Cove during the second World War.
The Grotto
Track – suitable for 2WD
Approximately 5 minutes drive from Settlement located just before the golf course. A mini cave with mix of sea and fresh water pool that is refreshing on hot days or a romantic spot with candles at night. The wave motion through narrow openings provides interesting sound effects.
Lily Beach
Track – suitable for 2WD
Lily Beach is a keyhole beach with cuts into sheer cliff on either side. There are large trees providing shade and it has a large sandy bottomed rock pool, particularly suited to young children at low tide when it is calm, although big waves can crash through anytime and caution is required. When the seas are up Lily Beach is a spectacular place to watch the waves crashing into the cliffs. A boardwalk along the cliff edge between Lilly Beach and Ethel Beach provides a look at a variety of birds including Brown Boobys and Red Footed Boobys nesting on the cliffs overlooking the ocean. A few blow-holes will add interest to your walk
Ethel Beach
Track – rough, but suitable for 2WD
A left turn along a rocky track at the bend just prior to Lily Beach.
There is a sandy channel at the eastern end of the beach that is a good
entry point for snorkelling when the water is calm. This part of the coast
tends to be calmer during the wet season (October to April).
Greta Beach
Track – 4WD needed
Approximately 30 minutes drive from Settlement and then a short three minute walk into the beach through rainforest. This beach is a collection point for interesting flotsam and jetsam washed ashore and is home to thousands of tiny hermit crabs. There is a secluded rock pool at the end of the beach suitable for children when it is calm. This is a major site for crab spawning and Turtles nest all year round on this beach.
Dolly Beach
Track – 4WD needed
Dolly Beach is one of the prettiest and most secluded beaches on the island and is deserted much of the time. It is a popular spot for camping amongst locals, as it has fresh water and a flat area behind the beach. The car park is approximately a 30 minute drive from Settlement and walking time into the beach through the rainforest is approximately 45 minutes on a boardwalk. There are shallow rock pools and a sandy beach surrounded by overhanging coconut palms. Dolly Beach is the larger of the two beaches where marine turtles nest, the other being Greta Beach. Tracks of nesting adults and of emerging hatchlings can be seen amongst the drifted logs, coconuts and other debris.
Margaret Knoll
Track – suitable for 2WD
Located approximately 20 minutes drive from Settlement, on the plateau beyond the airport. There are great views along the east coast of the island from the look out where you can watch the Frigatebirds, tropicbirds and pigeons gliding through the air or Brown Boobies. Also good for seeing fruit bats (flying foxes) at dusk.
The Dales
Track – 4WD needed
On the west coast and one of the few areas on the island having permanent flowing water and permanent wet areas. Permanent water provides a habitat for Blue crabs and there are populations readily observable. There are two marked trails one leading to Hugh Waterfall and the other to Anderson's Dale where access maybe made to the shoreline.
Hugh’s Waterfall
Track - 4WD needed
A medium walk (some uphill) with a boardwalk for most of the way, with interpretive signage offering information on the flora and fauna of the Island. It is well worth it to be greeted by the cool waters of Hugh’s waterfall at the end.
Martin Point
Track – 4WD needed
Approximately 30 minutes drive from Settlement, Martin Point is reached by a short walk from the carpark at the end of the track. A viewing platform on the edge of the Seacliff provides opportunity to photograph and view the extend on the western coast. A popular site to watch the sun set over the coast and waves breaking over the fringing reef and shore platforms. There is a shady gazebo with a picnic table on site. Robber Crabs are attracted by the smell of food and come out to investigate but don't worry they will not bite.
Blowholes
Track – 4WD needed
Approximately 45 minutes drive from Settlement, located on the western side of the island. A spectacular display of nature - the Blowholes are a series of rock formations that hiss and spurt water when it is forced through from the ocean swell. There is a viewing platform for your safety, however we cannot guarantee that you will not get wet!!!
South Point
Track – suitable for 2WD
Approximately 30 minute drive along straight mine haulage roads, South Point is the site of the major early settlement at the peak of the phosphate mining days. Little evidence remains of this, except for two Chinese temples and a derelict, overgrown railway station. The larger temple has impressive ocean views and is the focus of annual firewalking ceremonies, pictured on the walls.
Territory Day Park
Track – suitable for 2WD
An excellent picnic spot, with BBQ and playground equipment. The Nursery lookout, located in the park, is a great place from which to view Flying Fish Cove, the Kampong and Settlement and to watch boating and shipping operations in the port below. It is also an excellent site to watch seabirds flying past on air currents. A Nature Trail offers the opportunity to explore and learn about the unique Christmas Island rainforest. This short circuit walk has signs to inform you about the rainforest environment. Parks Australia's nursery, where plants for the Rainforest Rehabilitation Program are grown, is situated adjacent to the Park.
The Pink House
Track – suitable for 2WD
An Education and Research Station located in the middle of the plateau rainforest and serves as a base for scientific researches and education programs. Visitors are welcome to use the grounds for picnics. The building was at one time housing for railway workers during the period the South Point railway was in operation. There are BBQ facilitates, a Nature Trial with interpretive signs and planting's of representative island plant species in the grounds.
LB4 Lookout
Track – suitable for 2WD
A panoramic view over the north coast towards Settlement form on on-site gazebo. Surrounded by recent planting's in the Rainforest Rehabilitation Program. Abbott's Boobies may be sighted flying to and from nearby nest sites.
West White Beach
Track – suitable for 2WD
Approximately 30 minutes drive from Settlement then a 45 min – 1 hour walk into the beach. This is a strenuous walk, with a short cliff descent (rope provided). Definitely not for small children and requires reasonable fitness. A secluded, long beach edged by a series of rockpools with a view across to the Settlement.
Winifred Beach
Track – 4WD needed
Approximately 45 minutes drive through rainforest and then 30 minute walk into the beach. Advisable to go at low tide (details available from the Visitors Centre). A beautiful beach suitable for snorkelling or just relaxing with a cool drink and some lunch.