www.christmas.net.au Contents 3 Welcome 4 Planning your visit 6 Kingdom of the crab 8 Snap happy 9 Birds in paradise 10 An ocean lover’s playground 14 Join the culture club 15 Beachcombers welcome 16 Land of opportunity @christmasisland Contributing Lisa Preston CONTACT US Photographers Lynn Gail ChristmasIslandTourism PO Box 63 Christmas Island Adrian Yates Paul McFarlane Indian Ocean Australia 6798 Christmas Island Tourism Chris Bray Scott Portelli Craig Grant Swell Lodge Phone +61 8 9164 8382 #christmasIsland Faulkner Photography Tobias Freidrich Email [email protected] www.christmas.net.au Guru Productions Yvonne McKenzie 2 CHRISTMAS ISLAND • A Natural Wonder Australia’s Indian Ocean Island • Christmas Island is an Australian Territory, and has been since 1958. • It was named by Captain William Mynors when sighted on Christmas Day 1643. • It was annexed by Britain in 1888 after phosphate deposits were found. • An imported workforce, including Chinese, Malay and Sikhs laid the foundations for today’s thriving and culturally rich community. • Japanese troops invaded Christmas Island during World War II. • Post WWII, the island was administered as part of A place like no other the Straits Settlement, Christmas Island is like nowhere else on earth - and before the UK transferred sovereignty to Australia. rewards the curious traveller with its incredible vistas. ising majestically from Warm, crystal-clear waters invite Overhead, birds soar and drift the tropical depths of the you to swim or snorkel at idyllic – birds you’ll not see anywhere vast Indian Ocean and beaches among playful fish, or else in the world. Whether they’re R surrounded by azure scuba dive and discover a colour wheeling across tropical skies or waters of Asia’s southern fringe explosion in the coral reef, and be nesting in their craggy homes, lies a stunning natural wonder. mesmerised by the gentle, close-up you can tick off sightings, marvel Christmas Island - its name beauty of the majestic whale shark. at their elegance and rarity and alone is intriguing and stirs Your sense of wonder will grow listen carefully for new calls. interest. Yet this tiny speck of as you are captivated by the world- Every step you take on land in the Indian Ocean is a truly famous spectacle of the annual red Christmas Island is a sensory fascinating paradise, inviting crab migration – a glorious, visual journey. From the inspiring you to uncover its remarkable feast of colour sweeping across the natural world to the discovery surprises of nature in a one-of-a- landscape from forest to ocean in a of new sounds, sights, tastes kind environment. rare, unstoppable natural ritual. and experiences that blend in a Venture to this awe-inspiring Meander through the dappled unique harmony. It’s a place like island for an unforgettable light of a lofty rainforest teeming no other. getaway. Experience a rich with abundant life in its lush Set your sights on Australia’s biodiversity and a welcoming ecosystem, from tall, shady jewel of the Indian Ocean. Along culture as you take time to canopies above to delicate native with your camera, pack your escape the everyday, relax and orchids and ferns across the capacity for endless amazement, immerse yourself in a breathtaking forest floor, and on to freshwater your willingness to be inspired and natural world. cascades. your infinite sense of wonder. 3 Planningyour visit hristmas Island is a nature lover’s dream and you’ll be spoilt for choice when it comes to the huge range of nature-based activities available. So whether you’re visiting to witness the magic of the red crab migration, discover the rainforest’s huge robber crabs, dive with the whale sharks, relax on deserted beaches, or photograph a golden bosun in it’s regal flight, knowing what to expect ensures you get the best out of your escape. 4 CHRISTMAS ISLAND • A Natural Wonder Location Getting Around Visa Requirements Christmas Island is an external Hiring a vehicle (4WD/AWD Australian visa regulations apply. territory of Australia. The island lies recommended) is a great way to Australian citizens should bring in the tropical waters of the Indian see the island. Guided tours are their passport or other photo ID Ocean, 2,600kms northwest of available and can be arranged as Christmas Island is considered Perth and 500kms south of Jakarta. through the Visitor Centre. an international destination for Australian Customs and Quarantine Climate Connections purposes. It’s warm all year around, with an A Telstra 2G mobile phone average temperature of 27 degrees service operates on the island. Travel Insurance Celsius. The wet season runs from All short-term accommodation To enjoy complete peace of mind December to April. providers offer wireless internet it’s highly recommended that you access and there are hotspots obtain travel insurance that covers One Community around the island. your Christmas Island adventure. The 1,500 people that make up the vibrant multi-cultural community include people of Chinese, Malay & European decent. Language English is the official language INDONESIA and Bahasa Malay, Mandarin CHRISTMAS ISLAND and other Chinese dialects are Cocos (Keeling) Islands widely spoken. Currency The Australian Dollar is the local AUSTRALIA currency. Major credit cards are accepted, and EFTPOS facilities are available. There is no ATM on the island so bring some cash for smaller purchases. Getting There Virgin Australia flies from Perth to Christmas Island several times a week. Visit christmas.net.au for the latest flight information. Accommodation Choose from boutique hotels, self-contained apartments and bungalows and an exclusive, all inclusive eco-lodge experience. Many accommodations have ocean views and service is personalised. Food Eat out at a range of Chinese, Malay and western restaurants and cafes. Groceries can be purchased at small family-owned and operated grocery stores. 5 Kingdom of the Every year, Christmascrab Island’s red crab population begin their unstoppable march towards the ocean to spawn - but they’re not the only creatures which create a stir for visitors. hristmas Island is a migration begins. Marching en- you may even see female crabs natural paradise offering masse from rainforest burrows to releasing their eggs into the ocean fascinating creatures the ocean to breed, their journey in a unique dance in the early Cand stunning plant life. is a wave of colour and a truly morning hours. With an accessible national park unique thrill to observe. Marvel at the ingenious methods, covering two thirds of the island, You’re bound to encounter the including purpose-built crab grids you’re surrounded by diversity on Christmas Island red crab no and bridges, that local rangers a grand scale. Find yourself among matter where or when you venture have installed on the island’s roads abundant flora and amazing land out on the island. They provide in order to protect the crabs from crabs. From endemic red and great photographic opportunities, cars during the mass migration. blue crabs, to huge robber crabs, and are a vital part of the It is important to note some see these extraordinary island ecosystem. roads may be closed to vehicles inhabitants and witness a migration Visit for the migration and during peak migration time like no other. It’s nature as nature witness this unstoppable and intended, and it’s waiting for you. dramatic sight. It’s possible to Pincer movement walk carefully among a moving The island’s gentle giants, robber The march begins sea of red crabs, allowing you to crabs, are the biggest land Be prepared for a breathtaking experience this incredible natural crustaceans on earth. They can vision when the annual red crab phenomenon. If you’re really lucky, grow larger than a football and 6 CHRISTMAS ISLAND • A Natural Wonder When do red crabs migrate? Plan your visit around October to December to see the migration whicht begins with the wet season and is synchronised with lunar tidal phases. Likely spawning dates each year are provided on the Christmas Island Tourism Association and Parks Australia websites. may live for 50 to 70 years. Have endemic plants and animals in their your camera ready, as you’re just natural habitat. as likely to find these impressive Follow marked walking trails that crabs on the island’s boardwalks as take you deep within the rainforest, anywhere else. and find tall evergreens with a Keep shiny objects out of their closed uneven canopy around 40 way as they earn their name from metres high. Some trees emerge obsessively picking up and carting above the canopy and it’s here off silvery items like pots or cutlery. the endangered Abbott’s Booby Christmas Island is a major robber chooses to nest. crab sanctuary, so be mindful of You’ll be enchanted by the trees them on the roads. bursting with ferns and orchids, The best way to explore this and the fecund forest floor with extraordinary environment is by From treetops to forest floor stands of young palms, ferns and following the 4WD roads to many Explore a fantastic ecosystem lilies. Across the island’s sloped well laid out walking trails that that evolved over millions of years and terraced terrain, you can see criss-cross the island. Most places and in isolation. Christmas Island a fascinating mix of growth from are easily accessible, and you you’ll National Park offers amazing deciduous trees to scrambling be able to come face-to-face with opportunities to see native and scrub and vines. nature at its most verdant. 7 Bring your camera and set your lens to thrill as Christmas Island creates a perfect photo opp at every turn. Snap happy t’s hard to imagine a more operators show you the ideal island place for your unique shot.