The Christmas Island Tourism Association (CITA) operates a Visitor Information Centre opposite the supermarket in Gaze Road in Settlement. Make this your first stop for information on activities, facilities and social events. Here you’ll find a gift shop, internet cafe, a booking service, and friendly staff who will do whatever it takes to ensure you have a great holiday. For other useful information for visitors to Christmas Island, please click on the tabs below for further details.
We recommend that ALL travellers have a travel insurance policy in place that covers them for the Indian Ocean Territories.
VITAL TRAVEL INFORMATION FOR VISITORS TO CHRISTMAS ISLAND
- Car hire is highly recommended/ essential to be booked well in advance when visiting Christmas Island, as no public transport is available.
- Please ensure you pack your essential items into your CARRY ON luggage. Occasionally, due to the remote location of Christmas Island, luggage can be offloaded flights for weight management restrictions. This can result in priority and additional baggage not arriving on your flight. We highly suggest the items that you most value on your Christmas Island holiday be packed into your carry on just in case baggage is offloaded. (Eg. medications, change of clothes, swimwear, cameras).
- We strongly recommend travel insurance that covers flight disruptions. Due to the remote location of Christmas Island, weather can change quickly and can impact flight schedules.
- Please familiarise yourself with your accommodation cancellation policy.
Airport Transfers
Airport Transfers may be arranged direct with Indian Ocean Experiences on +61 (0) 439 215 667
$25 one way
$35 return
Minimum 2 people
Book here
Taxis For bookings, please call +61 (0)439 215 644
Communications
Internet
The internet service on Christmas Island is provided through a satellite system and at times the service may be slower than you may be used to and may drop out during rainy periods. WIFI hotspots are available at various locations around the settled areas and your accommodation may offer WIFI. No data (internet) is available through the mobile phone system (Telstra 2G).
Postal
The Christmas Island Post Office provides a range of unique Christmas Island postage stamps. The Post Office provides a full range of postal services and philatelic items, some banking services, mobile phones, SIM cards and a range of stationary and other items. Contact the Christmas Island Post Office on Ph: +61 (0)8 9164 8495 or Fax: +61 (0)8 9164 8494 E-mail: cipost@cipost.cx
Telephone
There is full phone access to and from the Australian mainland and internationally. A Telstra 2G GSM Mobile Telephone Service (no data services) operates on the Island. Telstra SIM cards are available at various shops including the Christmas Island Post Office. Christmas Island numbers are listed in the “Great Northern WA” phone book and in the Australian directories on the internet. Public phones are located at various locations. Contact the Christmas Island Post Office on Ph: +61 (0)8 9164 8495 or Fax: +61 (0)8 9164 8494 E-mail: cipost@cipost.cx
TV/Radio
Christmas Island receives Australian Digital Television Stations. As stations are broadcast through a satellite service, interference may occur due to rainfall. Radio 6RCI is the local radio station staffed by volunteers and transmits on 105.3FM from Rocky Point and 102.1FM from Drumsite. The schedule is advertised in the local paper, The Islander, and includes English, Malay and Chinese programs. Other radio stations are broadcast on the FM frequency including Red FM – a commercial station based in West Australia as well as ABC Radio National, ABC NorthWest WA and JJJ.
Island Crabbie Transport is available:
Tue-Thur: 5.30pm – 9.30pm
Fri & Sat: 12 noon – 12 midnight
(Closed Sunday & Monday)
For bookings, please call +61 (0)439 215 644
Airport Transfers available upon request.
Health
Travel insurance to cover medical needs is strongly recommended. Routine medical services are provided free to Australian citizens & permanent residents. International travellers may be covered under reciprocal arrangements or through travel insurance. If you have specialist health needs it is recommended to check with the Indian Ocean Territories Health Service prior to arranging your visit and to bring a supply of any medication you may use. This should be carried in your cabin luggage with a copy of any prescriptions.
Health care is available at the Christmas Island Hospital through the Indian Ocean Territories Health Service. The facilities are modern and well equipped and includes GP and dental services and an accident and emergency department. Patients requiring specialist care are assisted in their travel to the mainland, and emergency cases are evacuated to Perth through the Royal Flying Doctor Service. It is important that all visitors to the Island have appropriate travel insurance to cover their health needs and emergency evacuation from Christmas Island.
A pharmacy operates on Christmas Island and supplies a large range of medicines and other health supplies.
Christmas Island is a tropical environment. It is recommended to drink plenty of water, wear a hat and use sunscreen. Tap water is safe to drink.
Contact the Indian Ocean Territories Health Services on Ph: +61 (0)8 9164 8333 or Fax: +61 (0)8 9164 8338
Contact the Christmas Island Pharmacy on Ph: +61 (0)8 9164 8337 or Fax: +61 (0)8 9164 8432
On Arrival
Customs
ABF House (formerly Customs House) Christmas Island – 3 Tong Chee Road – The Australian Border Force protects the Australian border and manages the movement of people and goods across it. ABF House at Christmas Island undertakes the functions associated with the arrival and departure of commercial vessels, small craft, aircraft, crew, passengers, air and sea cargo. It also deals with the import or export of motor vehicles, vessels and aircraft for the residents of Christmas Island. Operators and owners/masters of arriving and departing craft are required to report certain information to ABF, within specified time periods, prior to the actual arrival or departure occurring. Residents can report suspicious activity to the ABF. ABF House Christmas Island does not deal with visa or citizenship inquiries, and for most over the counter transactions and payments, you should contact ABF House (formerly Customs House) at Perth Airport. ABF Christmas Island can be contacted via email on dmwaci@border.gov.au, Telephone +61 (0) 8 9164 7228 or Fax +61 (0) 8 9164 7205.
Police
The Australian Federal Police are responsible for providing police services to the community of Christmas Island. A team of sworn police officers and locally engaged ‘special constables’ provide the full range of community policing services, including land and marine search and rescue coordination, within a small, diverse and multicultural community. No firearms are allowed on Christmas Island. Further information about the Australian Federal Police can be found by visiting www.afp.gov.au.
Contact the Christmas Island Police (AFP) on:
Phone +61 (0)8 9164 8444 or Fax: +61 (0)8 9164 8440
Quarantine
Christmas Island is an island with some unique endemic species of wildlife. It is also free of many pests and diseases that are found in other parts of the world. Quarantine is the border agency charged with the task of protecting the environment and human health from pest or disease incursions. The department’s objective is to facilitate the movement of passengers, cargo, aircraft and vessels in a way that minimises any inconvenience to the people involved while maintaining the quarantine integrity of the island. This is achieved through various reporting, screening, inspection and treatment mechanisms. Certain products are prohibited on the island while other items may require some form of treatment before they may be released.Any persons wishing to know more about the quarantine requirements on Christmas Island should contact the Christmas Island Quarantine Service on Tel: +61 (0)8 9164 7456 or Fax: + 61 (0)8 9164 7468 or via E-mail on Christmas.Island@aqis.gov.au
Banking
Westpac Banking have a branch located at Canberra Place, Settlement offering banking services including foreign currency exchange.
Contact Westpac-Christmas Island on Ph: +61 (0)8 9164 8221
Please note that there is no ATM on the island.
Many shops and restaurants accept credit cards and electronic payments. Some may offer you to take out cash when purchasing items. However, it is recommended that you travel with some Australian cash.
INTERNATIONAL TRAVELLERS ARE ADVISED TO BRING CASH as the Post Office can not do cash out on foreign cards. In some circumstances the Westpac Bank can dispense cash to foreigners but this process is lengthy and involves a comprehensive identification procedure.
Education
The Christmas Island District High School provides education from pre-school level through to Year 12 secondary level. For further information on the education services provided on Christmas Island, please see www.cidhs.cx Contact the Christmas Island District High School on:Ph: +61 (0)8 9164 8546 or Fax: +61 (0)8 9164 8544
Indian Ocean Group Training Association
Indian Ocean Group Training Association (IOGTA) is the main employment provider on Island. IOGTA also runs many training courses for more information on current training course please contact: Phone: +61 (0)8 9164 7220 or Fax: +61 (0)8 9164 7129
Other Services
ElectricityThe island electricity (consumer voltage 240V, 50 cycles) is generated by diesel plants in the power station located on the island.
Australian plugs are in use – international visitors may need to bring an adapter.
Water
Water is pumped from several springs and underground streams. The water is treated and supplied in accordance with West Australian standards and is tested periodically. The water is safe to drink.Note: Personal Locator Beacons (PLBs) are now available for hire from the Christmas Island Police Station (Tel : +61 8 9164 8444). PLBs are designed to be carried by bushwalkers or solo adventurers and are actviated in the event of an emergency when immediate search and rescue assistance is required. It is recommended that any person exploring Christmas Island in the National Park, or in areas where there is no mobile phone reception, that a PLB is carried to alert authorities in the event of a serious emergency.
Driving
Driving on Christmas Island
Some tips for those visitors planning to drive whilst on Christmas Island
– drive on the left side of the road
– bring a valid drivers licence. If you are an international visitor, you are able to drive with your foreign licence for three months. If your licence is not in English, you will need an International Drivers Permit (IDP) from your home country
– wear a seatbelt
– follow the speed limits and traffic signs
– do not drive while under the influence of alcohol
– do not use a mobile (cell) phone while driving
– wear a helmet when riding a motorbike or bicycle
– road conditions vary, particularly after heavy rains and you should check conditions first and then proceed with caution on some of the tracks
– slow down and go around crabs on the road when safe to do so
– some roads will be closed during the red crab migration.
