Australian External Territories

Australia's external territories are among the most remote and extraordinary destinations on earth — isolated island worlds that sit far beyond the continent's coastline yet remain intrinsically Australian in character.

Christmas Island and the Cocos (Keeling) Islands lie in the eastern Indian Ocean, while Norfolk Island sits in the South Pacific between Australia, New Zealand and New Caledonia. Each territory is defined by its remarkable natural environment, unique cultural heritage, and the rare sense of discovery that comes with travelling somewhere genuinely off the beaten path.

Christmas Island is celebrated for its extraordinary biodiversity, including endemic wildlife found nowhere else on earth. The Cocos (Keeling) Islands offer some of the most pristine and unspoiled coral lagoon environments in the world. Norfolk Island captivates with its deeply layered colonial history, lush landscapes, and a tight-knit community descended from the Bounty mutineers.

Together, these three territories represent some of Australia's most compelling and least visited natural and cultural treasures.

Top Things to See

Christmas Island's Endemic Wildlife: A living laboratory of evolution, Christmas Island is home to species found nowhere else — from the iconic red crab to rare seabirds, native reptiles, and dense tropical rainforest teeming with life.
Cocos (Keeling) Islands Lagoon: One of the most pristine coral lagoon environments in the world, with crystal-clear turquoise waters, vibrant reef systems, and an extraordinary diversity of marine life in a setting of breathtaking natural beauty.
Norfolk Island's Historic Convict Settlement: A UNESCO World Heritage-listed convict settlement that tells one of Australia's most compelling colonial stories, set against lush green hills and dramatic Pacific coastline.

Highlights

Red Crab Migration: Witness one of nature's most spectacular mass movements as tens of millions of red crabs make their annual journey from Christmas Island's forest to the sea — a truly once-in-a-lifetime wildlife event.
World-Class Snorkelling & Diving: The Cocos (Keeling) Islands and Christmas Island offer exceptional underwater encounters, from vibrant coral gardens and reef fish to pelagic species in waters of remarkable clarity.
Endemic Birdlife: Christmas Island supports an extraordinary community of seabirds and endemic land birds, with expert-guided birding sessions offering rare close encounters with species found nowhere else on earth.
Island Hopping by Canoe: Explore the Cocos (Keeling) atoll by motorised canoe, visiting remote islands, encountering rare skinks, and discovering the unique culture and seagrass restoration projects of Home Island.
Norfolk Island's Bounty Heritage: Explore the living legacy of the Bounty mutineers through the island's unique Pitcairn-descended community, historic Kingston settlement, and the stories that have shaped this remarkable Pacific outpost.

Activities

Wildlife & Birdwatching: Christmas Island's endemic seabirds, land crabs, and native reptiles make it one of the most rewarding wildlife destinations in the Asia-Pacific region, with expert-guided experiences bringing the island's remarkable biodiversity to life.
Snorkelling & Diving: Pristine coral reefs surrounding both Christmas Island and the Cocos (Keeling) Islands deliver world-class underwater encounters in some of the least disturbed marine environments in the Indian Ocean.
Lagoon Kayaking & Island Hopping: Paddle across the stunning Cocos (Keeling) lagoon, exploring remote coral islands, encountering rare wildlife, and experiencing a pace of life found nowhere else in Australia.
Conservation Participation: Engage directly with conservation efforts across the territories — from beach clean-ups protecting nesting turtles on Christmas Island to seagrass restoration projects in the Cocos (Keeling) lagoon.
Cultural & Heritage Exploration: Discover the layered histories of all three territories — from Christmas Island's diverse Asian-Australian community and the Cocos Malay culture of the Keeling Islands, to the convict ruins and Bounty descendant heritage of Norfolk Island.
Hiking & Coastal Walking: Explore Christmas Island's rainforest trails, Norfolk Island's dramatic cliff-top paths, and the remote shorelines of the Cocos (Keeling) Islands on foot, with extraordinary natural and historical encounters at every turn.