Christmas & Cocos Islands - Nature & Wildlife Journey

Arrive on Christmas Island and settle in to your accommodation. No scheduled group activities today. Overnight: Christmas Island. Meals included: None.

After breakfast, a Christmas Island orientation tour covering Golf Course Road, Ma Chor Nui Nui Temple, The Grotto, Poon Saan, Drumsite, and the Territory Day Park Lookout and Nature Trail. Return to the hotel mid-afternoon before an orphaned bird feeding session hosted by Parks Australia – a chance to see endemic species up close and hear about the rehabilitation program. The evening closes with a guide-led talk on island ecology before dinner. Low-impact day. Overnight: Christmas Island. Meals: B/L/D.

A morning walking tour follows Dale No. 2, a freshwater spring that runs to the sea, ending at Hugh’s Dale Waterfall for morning tea. Watch for three of the island’s endemic crab species along the way. Picnic lunch at Martin Point followed by a short walk to the lookout, then a visit to the Lizard Lodge – the native reptile conservation program. Return to the township, with an optional snorkel at Flying Fish Cove. The day closes with a guide-led talk, 'The Feral Future,' before dinner. Overnight: Christmas Island. Meals: B/L/D.

Head to the Blowholes on the south coast for morning tea, then walk the shaded Boulder Track through the forest, with a stop at the ‘Grandfather’ Banyan and a look for red crabs on the forest floor. Picnic lunch at the historic South Point Temple with a talk on the history of this Chinese settlement, then a visit to the old railway station. In the afternoon, a two-hour boat tour departs from Flying Fish Cove, with optional snorkelling. Malay curry buffet dinner. Overnight: Christmas Island. Meals: B/L/D.

Start at the Dam (one of the few sites where magnificent frigatebirds can be seen at close range as they come to drink) with your guide, who will talk through their biology and kleptoparasitic feeding behaviour. Morning tea at Grants Well, then a picnic lunch at the shaded Lily Beach gazebos. Swim in the shallows and cross the boardwalk to Ethel Beach. Return to the hotel to rest, then afternoon drinks at Rumah Tinggi followed by dinner at a local restaurant. Overnight: Christmas Island. Meals: B/L/D.

A 4km return walk on a shaded track to Dolly Beach, where you can swim in the ocean pool, watch for robber crabs and follow green sea turtle tracks along the shore. On to Greta Beach to help collect ocean flotsam that threatens the turtle nesting habitat. Picnic lunch back at the hotel pool, with a free afternoon. The evening includes a guide-led conservation presentation. Overnight: Christmas Island. Meals: B/L/D.

An open day – either revisit sites missed earlier in the week or choose from a range of high- or low-impact options tailored to the group’s interests. A light morning tea is included, and a transfer to Flying Fish Cove can be arranged for those who want to swim. The week closes with a farewell dinner. Overnight: Christmas Island. Meals: B/D.

A final free morning on Christmas Island (the township is walkable for last-minute souvenirs or a quiet coffee) before collecting your luggage and transferring to the airport. On arrival at the Cocos (Keeling) Islands, transfer to your hotel on West Island. The evening begins with dinner at Salty’s Café. Overnight: Cocos (Keeling) Islands. Meals: B/L/D.

Board a motorised canoe for a safari through the southern lagoon, island-hopping at an unhurried pace. Stop at a small island where the rare Christmas Island blue-tailed skink survives in the wild, and take brunch on the sheltered shores of Pulau Belan. In the afternoon, visit Tropical Foods Farm to see how locals process the island’s coconut crop. Overnight: Cocos (Keeling) Islands. Meals: B/L/D.

Ferry across to Home Island for a guided cultural tour with the Cocos Malay community, including a look at the seagrass restoration project underway in the lagoon. Dinner is included at the local restaurant. Note: No alcohol is served or consumed on Home Island. Overnight: Cocos (Keeling) Islands. Meals: B/L/D.

An early ferry from West Island to Direction Island for breakfast with views over the lagoon. A walking tour covers the island’s marked trails and the Sydney–Emden display (commemorating the 1914 engagement between HMAS Sydney and SMS Emden, Australia's first naval battle), then free time to snorkel, swim or beachcomb along the ocean-facing shore. Ferry back to West Island in the afternoon, with the option of the local Scroungers Golf at The Donga or rest at the hotel. Two-course sunset dinner at Surfer Girl Brewery. Drinks not included. Overnight: Cocos (Keeling) Islands. Meals: B/L/D.

Check out of your hotel and leave your bags in a safe location, then take a final breakfast at Salty’s Café. A short West Island tour before the transfer to the airport for the return flight to Perth. Meals: B.