They feel like they are overseas but still, a part of WA, Christmas Island and Cocos Keeling Islands, sometimes called Cocos Islands, are the must-visit destination. Situated between the North West Coast of WA and Indonesia, these two island destinations are truly magical.

With a holiday at Christmas Island and Cocos Keeling Islands, you'll feel a million miles away without going very far at all!

Virgin flies to the islands each Tuesday and Friday, first landing at Cocos Keeling Islands then Christmas Island and then returning to Perth. Extend your stay with a visit to both locations!

WA Visitor Centre’s Traveller’s tips:

• Hiring a car will help you explore the islands to their full as transport is very limited.
• Booking tours before you arrive is a must as places fill quickly.
• The islands rely on food from the mainland so menus can change without notice and it is not uncommon for only 1 restaurant to be open at a time. Contact the visitor centre for more information when you arrive.
• You are welcome to bring your own food to the islands. Chat to us for more information.

 

Christmas Island is in the Indian Ocean, located 2600km north-west of Perth, Western Australia. In 1881 there was phosphate discovered, this drew settlers and workers from many backgrounds and religions creating the foundation of the fascinating cultural melting pot that the community is so proud of today.

The Island is the summit of a submarine mountain, the central plateau is dominated by stands of rainforest where over half of the island is a national park. It has 80 kilometres of coastline made predominantly of volcanic cliffs, there are a few bays of sand, the largest being the Island's only port at Flying Fish Cove. The Island is encircled with a coral reef.

A nature lovers dream, where you can experience wildlife in abundance on land and in the sea. Christmas Island is known for its crabs, the annual red crab migration, which usually happens in October or November depending on the first rains, sees millions of crabs move from their forest homes to the coast to breed. It is such a significant event that roads are closed to allow for migration to happen.

The island is also known for it’s whale sharks, marine diversity and bird life.

Things to do on the Island

• Bird Watching
• The Dales Walking Trails
• Scuba diving, free diving or snorkelling
• Fishing 
• Photography
• Golf
• Hiking and Adventure
• History & Culture
• Swimming
• Christmas Island National Park
• Rock Pools and Natural Spas
• Bike hire

 

The Cocos Keeling Islands are located approximately 2700km north west of Perth, Western Australia. The isolated archipelago provides some of the only unspoilt tropical islands in Australia as it consists of two atolls and 27 coral islands, only the two main islands (Home Island and West Island) are inhabited.

The first group of settlers were brought to the islands in 1826, they were mostly of Malay decent with a number of people of Chinese, Papuan and Indian heritage. The people are now referred to as Cocos Malay.

The breath-taking coral islands that form 'Cocos' create an almost perfect circle. The Islands have forests of tall palm trees that are bordered by clear immaculate sandy beaches with reefs just offshore that are host to an incredible array of marine life. They are your quintessential tropical island paradise, and it is less touristy than other destinations like Bali, Fiji or The Maldives. So, if you are looking for an untouched island paradise with warm weather and azure oceans, Cocos Keeling Islands are for you.

While on the island we recommend visiting the traditional Malay village on Home island (accessible by ferry) and exploring the remote and uninhabited islands on a motorised canoe safari.

Things to do on the Island

• Birdwatching
• West Island Orientation & Coconut Tours
• Kiting
• Bike hire
• Glass-bottom boat tours
• Scuba diving or snorkelling
• Motorised outrigger canoes and kayaking
• Fishing – shore-based, in the lagoon, or for the more adventurous, deep sea fishing
• Golf
• Reef walking
• Surfing
• Swimming
• North Keeling National Park
• Hari Raya Puasa (end of Ramadan) cultural celebration