Year: 2026

These really are five star! Today we had the pleasure of listening to JP. A marine biologist who joined us on Direction Island, an uninhabited island in the lagoon to talk to us about the formation of the islands, the reefs, the threats and the projects. He even brought along a toddlers bathing pool as…

The Cocos (Keeling) Islands are a territory of Australia located in the Indian Ocean southwest of Christmas Islands roughly halfway between Sri Lanka and Australia. Cocos consists of two atolls (a ring-shaped reef) and 27 coral islands. Two of the 27 are inhabited – West Island and Home Island, with a population of approximately 620…

For all its fairly turbulent history Christmas Island seems to have come out stronger. For many years the populations on this island came from very different roots and yet they have survived on this island with respect for one another’s cultures, a celebration of each and a unity within all. It’s not a small achievement.…

It’s closer to Indonesia than Australia. It has had a very chequered history of colonialism and exploitation, economic struggles and workers rights movements.It has moved into the 21st Century with many challenges. It has been an absolute pleasure to visit this far off island. I was able to watch scores of birds flying across me…

No longer ! An interesting bush walk to two beaches. Greta Beach full of rubbish. We took bags down to the beach to make a dent in it. It’s horrifying to see so much plastic and rubbish in this ocean. Nearby trees full of birds and a fledgling trying its wings and playing with a…

This is our new deck for the week. As we sit and look out we see frigate birds, white tailed tropic birds, brown boobies, Red footed boobies shooting past, dipping, diving, swooping and soaring. They sweep past us so fast it is hard to capture them. I can however share closeups thanks to a fantastic…

I ask the tour leader why Christmas Island is so renowned for its crabs. How did they get here ? I went looking for an explanation. It’s possible that millions of years ago, ancestral marine or intertidal crab species arrived on the isolated volcanic island via ocean currents. Over time, these ancestors adapted to life…

I have always wanted to see the wildflowers of Western Australia. With Qantas cancelling our Christmas Island flights on Monday this gave me the perfect window to finally see them. I chose Lesueur National Park. Lesueur National Park is a botanic oasis. It’s a haven to over 900 plant species. The park is home to 122…

A dubious name, evidence of indentured labour, colonialists passing its governance from one to another. A mix of cultures and out at the arse end of nowhere. I mentioned this to my niece’s six year old Ismini. She very rationally asked – “But is it Christmas everyday ? Do they have lots of presents there…

We head off to Western Australia soon to explore some remote islands.More on them soon. Some weeks ago now we heard the news that H5N1 Bird Flu reached those western shores and is spreading eastwards. It is affecting many shore birds, penguins and water birds and now there is some evidence it is getting into…