What is Christmas like on Christmas Island?

What is Christmas like on Christmas Island? Christmas – the island was named on 25 December 1643, making Christmas an extra-special event around town. Expect light displays, carols by candlelight, plenty of parties and a visit from Santa himself.

Can you drink tap water on Christmas Island?

Carry plenty of drinking water. Local tap water is safe to use. Always follow directions from park rangers – their directions are for your safety.

Can you walk around Christmas Island?

Walking is the best way to explore Christmas Island's extraordinary forests, wetlands and beaches. There are walking trails for all preferences and abilities, ranging from relaxing rainforest boardwalks to rugged hikes into deserted beaches. Many walks have lookouts offering spectacular views of the coastline.

What is interesting about Christmas Island?

Christmas Island is the peak of a steep basalt volcanic seamount that rose 5000 metres from the ocean floor about 60 million years ago. The highest point of the island is Murray Hill, at 361 metres above sea level.

How cold does Christmas Island get?

The island has a tropical climate in which heat and humidity are moderated by trade winds. Temperatures vary little throughout the year. The highest temperature is usually around 29 °C (84 °F) in March and April, while the lowest temperature is 23 °C (73 °F) and occurs in August.

Can you work on Christmas Island?

Working at Christmas Island is a challenging but immensely rewarding experience for anyone who wants to make a difference in a unique and highly fragile wilderness environment. Our current job vacancies are advertised on the Department of Climate Change, Energy, the Environment and Water website.

What animals are found on Christmas Island?

Does Christmas Island have electricity?

Electricity on Christmas Island On Christmas Island the power plug sockets are of type I. The standard voltage is 230 V and the frequency is 50 Hz.

Are Christmas Islanders Australian citizens?

In 1958, the island was excised from Singapore and sovereignty was transferred to Australia. As part of the transfer, Australia paid Singapore £2,800,000 as compensation for lost phosphate revenue. Christmas Island became an Australian territory on 1 October 1958 – a day still celebrated on the island as Territory Day.

Can you drink alcohol on Christmas Island?

That means you can score a great deal on popular duty-free items such as fragrances, leather goods, electronics, jewellery, watches and sunglasses. It also means Christmas Island has some of the cheapest alcohol in Australia – perfect for treating yourself to a beer or a gin and tonic as the sun goes down.

Can people live on Christmas Island?

Today Christmas Island has around 2000 residents. The most common ancestries reported by residents are: Chinese (the largest ethnic group) Australian.

Is it expensive to live on Christmas Island?

Since the detention centre was built on the island in 2006, the island population of about 1,500 locals has jumped dramatically. Mr McDonald says the cost of living is now estimated at about 180 per cent above that on the mainland. An iceberg lettuce at the local store can cost as much as $12.

What is Christmas Island culture?

Christmas Island has a rich mix of cultures. A population of some 2000 people includes many Chinese and Malay Australians as well as people from mainland Australia. National park staff reflect this cultural mix. English is the official language but many people also speak Bahasa Malay or one or more Chinese dialects.

What to buy in Christmas Island?

As well as general groceries and healthcare items, you'll find plenty of souvenirs, crafts, clothes, and handy holiday accessories such as fishing and snorkelling gear. Christmas Island has a little-known shopping secret: the whole island is duty free!

Are there shops on Christmas Island?

Christmas Island is serviced by small shopping areas located at the Barracks and Temple Court in Settlement, Poon Saan, the Kampong, Drumsite and the airport.

Is it safe to swim on Christmas Island?

Use common sense when swimming or wading at any beach – they can be subject to large waves and swell, strong rips and undertows. None of the beaches on the island are patrolled by lifesavers. Swimming at beaches is only recommended at Flying Fish Cove under calm sea conditions.

What do people eat on Christmas Island?

The cuisine of Christmas Island can best be described as an eclectic combination of traditional Australian cuisine and Asian cuisine, particularly meals from Malaysia and Indonesia.