(PJ) Christmas and Cocos Islands – 30 April 24

Meet your group at Perth airport, check in and relax with some duty free shopping. You will be met when you arrive at Christmas Island airport and taken to your accommodation by your guide/escort for the week. Once you have settled in there will be an Island Briefing on the back deck of VQ3 Lodge. For dinner enjoy a Beach BBQ at Flying Fish Cove. BBQ included – BYO alcohol (will stop at mini-market for people to purchase drinks and other snacks you might like for the week). Then return to the hotel.

The morning will start with a Continental Breakfast at the Hotel. We will then take our Christmas Island Orientation Tour where you will discover the local history, and culture and be taken to places of interest. We will then stop for lunch at the Local Café. After a nice lunch break, we will then take in some breathtaking views as we trek into Golf Course Lookout. You will need good mobility for this. It is a short walk but there is a steep descent/ascension. This will be a fantastic opportunity for seabird spotting as red-footed boobies, frigate birds and golden bosuns glide overhead the picturesque cliff tops. You will then return to the hotel and get ready for dinner at the local restaurant.

Enjoy the start of a new day with a Continental breakfast at Hotel. We are heading off to Lily & Ethel beaches this morning. Take a swim or a walk along the boardwalk between the 2 beaches to view the birds nesting on the cliffs overlooking the ocean. Lunch will be a picnic at Lily Beach before returning to town for some rest and relaxation time. Dinner will be at a local restaurant

Start the relaxing day with a Cooked breakfast at VQ3 Lodge. Take your time as you have all morning to laze around your hotel and do things at your leisure. We will all meet up and head to a local café for lunch. Then it is off to visit Lizard Lodge where you will learn all about the reptile conservation program. From there we will visit the Orphaned Bird feeding program where you will have a rare chance to watch volunteers feed rescued Christmas Island birds and learn about the rehabilitation project. Return to the hotel for a rest before dinner at a local restaurant.

Enjoy a Continental breakfast at Hotel before we set off for a walking tour into Hugh’s Dale Waterfall. One of the only places on the island with flowing water all year round, these rainforested wetlands are home to mighty Tahitian chestnut trees, blue crabs, and an array of rare and endemic species. The Hughs Dale track is a raised boardwalk that leads to a permanent waterfall in the rainforest. (good mobility and some endurance required). We will stop for morning tea along the way. Further, into the day we will have a picnic lunch before returning to the hotel for some rest and relaxation. Dinner will be at a local restaurant.

Start the day with a Continental breakfast at the hotel. We are off to the Blowholes today where you can walk through the towering rainforest and watch seawater rocketing high into the air. Lunch will be a delicious fish lunch served at Flying Fish Cove. With coral reefs surrounding the Island, and an abundance of fish and coral to see, just a few meters from the shore, you will have the time of your life on the 2-hour snorkeling boat trip. Return to the hotel for relaxation before dinner at a local restaurant. You can then enjoy the Outdoor Cinema for a $5 donation (subject to being open)

Rise and Shine for your Continental breakfast at Hotel. After breakfast heads off to Dolly & Greta Beaches. Dolly is one of the prettiest and most secluded beaches on the island. Walk through the rainforest along a boardwalk for approx. 2 km. You will come to a sandy beach surrounded by overhanging coconut palms and shallow rock pools. Marine turtles nest at both Dolly & Greta beaches so you are bound to come across some on your visit. Morning tea will be provided. You will return to the township for a picnic lunch before heading back to the hotel for relaxation or whatever you decide to do. Being the last night we will all come back together for a farewell dinner.

Last morning for a Cooked breakfast at Hotel. Have a relaxing morning before packing and checking out of the hotel. Time for any last-minute shopping or souvenir hunting. Lunch

will be provided at a local café before returning to the airport for your flight onto Cocos

Islands. Upon arrival in Cocos Islands, you will be met at the airport and taken to your hotel. Dinner on your first night will be at Salty’s.

This morning we have a 2nd chance to visit the Big Barge Art Centre. Then it is off to catch the ferry to Home Island where we will do a Cultural tour of the Island which includes lunch and a visit to historic Oceania House. The afternoon ferry will take us back to West Island for a short rest before dinner at Tropica Restaurant.

A 7.30am ferry departure to Direction Island where we will have both breakfast and lunch. This is an opportunity to relax, swim and snorkel. Explore the Island on some short trail walks and read the history of Direction Island as you trek around it. In the afternoon, try your luck at Golf Scrounges Ambrose (own expense). The only golf course in the world crossing an airport runway. Dinner will be at Saltmakers restaurant

Check out of your hotel and have a full breakfast at Tropicas. A short tour around the Island including Trannies Beach. Some last minute shopping before checking in for your flight home