Discover the Cultural and Natural Diversity of Christmas and Cocos Islands with Australia Uncovered!

Today, we will embark on a three-hour flight from Perth, the capital of Western Australia, to Christmas Island, where you will experience nature at its finest! Australia Uncovered will introduce you to our welcoming hosts upon your arrival. You can relax in our comfortable, air-conditioned vehicles as we take you to your accommodation.                            

On the way, we will make a brief stop at the local mini-mart, allowing you to pick up any forgotten items or personal necessities you may need for your stay on the island. Our team will assist you in settling in and will arrange your dinner transfer for this evening.

After a buffet breakfast, we will embark on a 2.5-hour tour to explore the history and cultural heritage of the island, with stops at various locations. Lunch will be provided at a local café before you return to your room for some well-deserved rest. 

Mid-afternoon, departing for the Orphaned Bird Rehabilitation center for bird feeding.           

After heading back to the hotel for relaxation before dinner at the Noodle House. where dinner and drinks will be provided. 

Following dinner, you will be transferred back to the hotel for a relaxing evening and to take it your day. 

After breakfast, we will begin our tour of the Dales, including a visit to Hugh's Dale Waterfall. The Dales consist of a series of freshwater springs that flow into the ocean. This morning, we will walk along Dale No. 2, which will lead us to Hugh's Dale Waterfall. During this tour, we will observe three species of crabs.                                  

Here we learn about the area's unique ecology. A light morning tea will be provided at the waterfall.

Please note that this walk is a 1.8 km round trip and includes some hills and stairs. After our visit, we will enjoy a well-deserved picnic lunch at Martin Point. Please be aware that there are no toilet facilities available. Bush toilets only.

Following lunch, we will explore Merrial Beach. For those who are feeling adventurous, there will be an optional short walk that requires a small climb down to the hidden Merrial Beach. Good mobility and flexibility are required for this climb.

After our activities, we will return to the hotel for some rest and relaxation before dinner at the Golden Bosun Tavern. Drinks included.

After enjoying a continental buffet breakfast this morning, we will head to the Blowholes to witness the waves crashing against the rocky cliffs of Christmas Island. A light morning tea will be served at this location.  We will take a shaded walk along the Boulder Track, which winds through a beautiful forest.                                  

This is typically filled with numerous red crabs. Our first stop will be at the impressive Grandfather Banyan tree, where we can take photos. This flat terrain walk spans approximately 3 kilometers and is mostly shaded. 

Next, we will move on to South Point Temple, where a picnic lunch will be provided. The South Point area served as the island's main residential hub for many years and was the primary source of phosphate from 1914 to 1974. However, the settlement was demolished in 1977, leaving only a few landmarks behind. 

After lunch, we will visit the Old Railway Station, which was built to support a standard gauge railway that was opened in stages between 1914 and 1920. This railway connected Flying Fish Cove and South Point, covering a distance of about 20 kilometers. Please note that there are no toilet facilities available at this location. 

Following this visit, we will return to our hotel for some rest. Later in the afternoon, we will embark on a 15-minute steep walk to Golf Course Lookout. This part of the journey requires good stability, as we will be rewarded with eye-level views of seabirds before heading back to our hotel for relaxation.

After breakfast, we will head out to explore Lily and Ethel Beaches. Our first stop is Lily Beach, a narrow opening to the ocean where, conditions permitting, you can take a refreshing dip. From there, you will be guided along the boardwalk from Lily Beach to Ethel Beach to view nesting Brown Boobies and other roosting seabirds.                                       

You’ll have the opportunity to do some beachcombing at Ethel Beach or scour the tidal rock pools in search of interesting sea creatures. Morning tea will be served at Lily Beach, followed by a picnic lunch at the same location.

After lunch, we will return to our hotel for some rest and relaxation. In the mid-afternoon, we will be collected for transfer to The Grotto for a swim. Afterward, we’ll return to the hotel for a short break before heading to the Rumah Tinggi Tavern, where a full bar service will be available for pre-dinner drinks. Dinner will be at a local Chinese restaurant.

After enjoying a buffet breakfast, we will head to the remote beaches on the eastern side of the island. Dolly Beach is a 4 km round-trip walk from the car park. This distance may increase significantly during the red crab migration season, as extra care is needed to avoid injuring any crabs on their journey. These are moderate walks.                                     

The walk follows a shaded trail with sections of boardwalk, leading you through the jungle for about 40 minutes until you reach the island's only white sandy beach. Here, you’ll have time to relax in the shade of the fringing palm trees, enjoy the company of the wild Robber Crabs, or take a dip in the natural 'spa pool.

There are no changing or toilet facilities at Dolly Beach.

On our return trip, we will visit Greta Beach. A steep staircase will take you down to a large rock, from which you can carefully step onto the beach. This area serves as a significant nesting ground for turtles. Unfortunately, it is sometimes affected by plastic debris that washes ashore, so we make it a point to collect some of this rubbish and dispose of it appropriately.

A continental buffet breakfast will be served on the rear deck at Vq3 Lodge. On this day, we have an open itinerary, allowing us to catch up on any missed activities. This may include options for fishing, high-impact touring, or low-impact touring based on the group’s abilities and interests. Morning tea will be provided.                                     

A picnic lunch will be served at a location that will be advised on the day. The afternoon is yours to enjoy at your leisure—whether you choose to relax by the pool or take a walk.

For sunset, we can offer a transfer to Flying Fish Cove for snorkeling (please note that this activity is at your own risk). Following this, dinner will be at a location to be advised, after which we will return to the hotel.

Today we leave Christmas Island and fly to Cocos Keeling Islands. Here you will be met at the airport and assisted to your accommodation before dinner from Saltys Cafe served with one of their fresh tasty pizzas. Your Tour Leader will take and order for drinks from the nearby Cocos Club and deliever them to you. TBA

Breakfast will be served at one of the selected remote island accommodations before you are collected for the Turtle Tour. During this tour, you will experience canoeing and learn about the fascinating turtle life on Cocos. Ensure you bring reef shoes, a hat, sunscreen, a water bottle, snorkeling gear.                                                                                                                    

We will supply you you with a waterproof bag to protect your personal items.

West Island Tour (Part 1) - Explore the southern part of West Island, where you will learn about its rich history and enjoy stunning vistas. After the tour, you will be transferred back to your accommodation for a quick shower to refresh.

West Island Tour (Part 2) - Discover the northern end of the West Island, including the Big Barge Art Centre. The Big Barge Art Gallery is one of the most unique galleries you will encounter in your travels. It is housed entirely within the hull of a beautifully restored rustic timber barge that has been refurbished over the past decade. This art centre offers visitors the opportunity to view, purchase, or create artworks that truly capture the beauty of these magnificent islands. Lunch Special at Tropika Restaurant

In the afternoon, you can choose to return to your accommodation or take an optional swim.

This morning, you will be collected from your accommodation for a canoe safari and breakfast. You'll spend the morning exploring the southern part of the lagoon, island hopping, snorkeling, and light touring. Breakfast will be served on one of the remote islands. Please ensure you bring reef shoes, a hat, sunscreen, a water bottle.                  

Snorkeling gear, and a waterproof bag to protect your personal items will be supplied.

Morning tea will be served at Salty's Cafe before returning to your accommodation to shower and freshen up. 

Afterwards, you will be collected for your West Island Tour Part 2 (North End) to Trannies. The calm lagoons around the southern end of West Island are ideal for swimming and snorkeling, especially for kids and inexperienced swimmers. You’ll also visit the waters on Home Island’s foreshores and Direction Island, where you can spot amazing wildlife, including vivid fish, corals, reef sharks, and large wrasses of parrot fish.

Later that afternoon, enjoy a round of golf at Scroungers Golf with the locals—no previous golfing experience is necessary. If you are an experienced player, this is a great opportunity to teach our tour leaders.

Dinner tonight will be at Saltmakers Restaurant, where you can enjoy the sunset over the Indian Ocean.

Today is a day or optional touring prior to departing Cocos tomorrow. 

Options available are

Fishing and TBA 

Consult with Lisa depending on flight times. It may have to be the final day. 

This morning, breakfast will be served at Tropika, offering a choice between continental and cooked meals, before we check out of our accommodation. 

Afterward, you can enjoy shopping at the Visitors Centre or Sandy Feet, catch up with new friends, or revisit a favorite location on West Island. At 10:30 AM, we will check in at the.......    

....airport for our return flight to Perth. Lunch options will be available at Salty's Cafe in the airport.

At Australia Uncovered, we hope you have enjoyed your experience on Christmas Island. Thank you for trusting us with your visit to these island gems in the Indian Ocean. We hope you had a wonderful time!