From Wikitravel

This article is about the Indian Ocean territory of Australia named Christmas Island. For the island of the same name also known as Kiritimati in the Line Islands of the Pacific Ocean, see Kiribati.

Christmas Island [1] is one of the islands of the Indian Ocean, south of Indonesia and some distance northwest of Australia, of which is it a territory.

[edit] Regions

Christmas Island rises to a central plateau of stands of rainforest. Its 80km coastline is an almost continuous sea cliff up to 20 metres high, with a few shallow bays of small sand and coral shingle beaches. The largest of these forms the island's only port, Flying Fish Cove.

[edit] Settled Areas on Christmas Island

• Settlement
• Kampong
• Silver City
• Poon Saan
• Drumsite

[edit] Other destinations

[edit] Understand

Named in 1643 for the day of its discovery, the island was annexed and settlement was begun by the UK in 1888. Phosphate mining began in the 1890s. The UK transferred sovereignty to Australia in 1958. Almost two-thirds of the island has been declared a national park.

The Australian Government in 2001 agreed to support the creation of a commercial space-launching site on the island, which now looks unlikely to proceed after funding was withdrawn.

[edit] Climate

Tropical; heat and humidity moderated by trade winds.

[edit] Landscape

Steep cliffs along coast rise abruptly to central plateau. Rain forest covers the majority of the island, with small areas of the island under rehabilitation from mining. Sandy to Rocky beaches scattered along to coastline of the island separated by steep limestone cliffs.

• Christmas Island Tourism, PO Box 63, Christmas Island, Western Australia 6798, ☎ +61 8 9164 8080 (cita@christmas.net.au), [2].  edit

[edit] Get in

[edit] By plane

Twice weekly flights from Perth, Australia with National Jet Systems, who also offer a connecting flight to the Cocos Islands. Oneway/return is A$840/$1680, with advance purchase returns available for $1098.

Australian Indian Ocean Territories Airlines[3] offers the only international flight on a chartered Malaysia Airlines aircraft from Kuala Lumpur and Singapore every Saturday.

[edit] By boat

The harbor is Flying Fish Cove.

[edit][add listing] See

• Dales
• Blowholes
• Dolly Beach
• Margaret Knoll
• Nursery Lookout
• Lily Beach
• Flying Fish Cove
• Administrators House known locally as "Buck House"
• Historical World War 2 Artillery Bunker past the Buck House
• South Point
• Greta Beach
• Freshwater Caves
• Grotto
• West White Beaches
• Ethel Beach
• Waterfall/Casino

[edit][add listing] Do

• View the spectacular world famous Christmas Island Red Crab Migration during the December - February months.
• Diving or Snorkeling off the 'Drop Off' at Flying Fish Cove
• Whale Shark Watching
• Game Fishing on chartered boat
• Rock Fishing
• Caving (Warning - Seek local advice before setting out to any caves)
• 4- Wheel Driving, known locally as 'Bush bashing'
• Mountain Biking
• Relax by the beach or on the patio with a cold beer
• Duty Free cheap drinks at numerous bars and taverns on the island
• Historical Trail Self Tours
• Hiking

[edit] Get around

Walk, ride, or hire of cars/4WD/SUV. You can hike around the settled areas of island, as most locals are happy to give a ride to visitors.

[edit] Talk

As a territory of Australia, English is the most common language spoken on Christmas Island, but is not universal. Many residents speak dialects of Chinese and Malay as a first language.

[edit][add listing] Buy

The Island has "duty free" status, and shop prices for alcohol are very low.

[edit][add listing] Eat

There are several restaurants on Christmas Island serving Western and Asian cuisine.

• Lucky Ho Restaurant, Lot 236 Poon Saan Rd, ☎ (08) 9164 8813. excellent value  edit

[edit][add listing] Drink

As Christmas Island is duty free, alcohol is usually lower priced than the Australian mainland. Some of the bars and taverns are:

• Tracks at Drumsite
• Golden Bosun and Rumah Tinngi at Settlement
• Pool Hall at Poon Saan

[edit][add listing] Sleep

Seven possibilities for accommodation exist on the island, five of which are in the main settlement. Of the other two, one is located next to the island's waterfall whilst the other is further out in an area called Poon Saan.

[edit] Learn

Christmas Island District High School is the main school on the island, Year 1 to Year 10 is taught based on the Western Australian Curriculum.

[edit] Work

[edit] Stay safe

The island is safe all times of the day in the populated areas, locals usually leave their houses and car unlocked. There is no poisonous or dangerous animals/insects on the island.

The most likely danger is large waves at cliffs and coastal waters during the monsoon(October - February).

There are occasional sighting of reef and hammerhead sharks off the coast near the 'drop offs' (underwater coastal shelf which drops off into the ocean depths, usually 5 - 30 meters offshore) , however there have been no reported sharks attacks on Christmas Island in recorded history.

Some 4 Wheel Drive tracks are steep and slippery during the wet season, caution is advised when driving in national parks areas. Many tracks are 4 Wheel Drive only, in particular Dolly beach track and National Park areas.

It is recommended that you bring a local or get local advice before heading off to any unpopulated or national parks areas.

[edit] Stay healthy

Wear loose fitting clothing suitable to humid tropical conditions. A hat and suncream is recommended if you're intending to be under the sun at the beach or fishing.

Bring water with you, as in a humid environment you will tend to perspire more than normal.

No instances of Malaria have been reported. There are rare occurrences of Hepatitis C. However there is no particular vaccination required when visiting the island.

[edit] Respect

Nudity is not permitted at beaches, normal beachwear applies.

It's good manners to wave back if waved by locals when driving.

[edit] Contact

[edit] Get out

Cocos Island is the closest land to Christmas island, there are weekly connecting flight between the two island. Cocos Island is approximately 1 hours flight from Christmas Island.

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