Bird & Nature Week Christmas Island

Bird & Nature Week Activities

Please note that the numbers for the event are capped to keep the group manageable and the experience intimate for guests. The group is broken down into smaller groups and rotated through a different activity each day. The flow below is an indicative itinerary.

Join the dedicate researchers and natural history experts for a week long immersion with the following activities.

Day 1: 
Guest Arrival & Welcome Dinner

Day 2:
Day Tour - Bosuns and Boobies
Evening Talk - The ecology of Christmas Island
Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner included

Day 3: 
Day Tour - Naturalist Tour
Evening Talk - Threatened species
Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner included

Day 4:
Day Tour - Goshawk banding
Evening Talk - Cat control and eradication
Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner included

Day 5:
Day Tour - Tracking Abbott's Boobies at sea
Evening Talk - Tracking Boobies and Frigatebands
Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner included

Day 6:
Day Tour - Dolly Beach and Hosnie Springs (RAMSAR Wetland) walking tour
Evening Talk - National Park research and conservation
Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner included

Day 7:
Free Time: Relax, shop, enjoy the township
Breakfast included

About Christmas Island's Birdlife

Optional Extension - Cocos (Keeling Islands)

Cocos Islands add-on starts from $1,200 AUD

Why not extend your Bird and Nature Week adventures to include the Cocos (Keeling) Islands! The Cocos (Keeling) Islands play an important role in the routes that shorebirds take during their annual migration, with 39 breeding or resident species of birds on the atolls.

The Cocos Islands have one endemic sub-species, the Cocos Buff-banded Rail, and due to a successful translocation program, is now able to be seen foraging on the edge of the vegetation around the picnic area on Direction Island. 

North Keeling National Park supports many of the vagrant species as it is remote to the other 26 islands. Cocos (Keeling) has boasted several new sightings for Australia in the last few years, including Mugimaki Flycatcher and Common Teal. 

Expand Full Itinerary:

Tour details

Accommodation: VQ3 Lodge. Other accommodation options available on request.
Fitness Requirements: Good mobility and stability essential as walking is required.
Flights: Virgin Australia operates flights to Christmas Island and the Cocos Keeling Islands twice per week ex Perth. Return flights are included as part of this package.

How you'll be making a positive impact

Citizen Science with Indian Ocean Experiences

Guests are able to contribute to a reptile census and hands-on conservation activities for the endemic Blue-tailed Skink and Lister’s Gecko during Citizen Science Week. During Bird & Nature Week, guests work alongside scientists banding birds, collecting data on various endemic species and participating in nightly presentations about restoring the ecology of the island.

 

Cleaning Up and Making Art from Christmas Island Debris

Due to surrounding currents and winds, the beaches of Christmas Island are often awash with masses of marine debris. Unfortunately, across locations such as Greta Beach, it is not uncommon to see turtle nesting habitat covered in marine debris. As part of Indian Ocean Experiences’ Dolly Beach Tour, guests are encouraged to grab a bag and search for unusual treasures that the tide has bought in including flotsam carried by ocean currents from regions far away.

Once educated on the type of marine debris deposited and harmful effect on marine species, almost 100% of guests are eager and keen to pick up bags of rubbish.

Indian Ocean Experiences’ staff often volunteer during community organised beach clean-ups, with the organisation providing equipment such as bags, gloves and vehicles to ferry volunteers. The team works closely with Tangaroa Blue when on island for Christmas Island Marine Debris Week, promoting the event alongside the Christmas Island Tourism Association. It is estimated that Indian Ocean Experiences removes over one tonne of marine debris every year.

Guests are actively encouraged to purchase local art made by organisations such as Eco-Crab Industries, which turns plastic and debris into things such as building blocks, bowls, coasters, and other artisan items.

Developing Partnerships To Meet Sustainability Goals

Indian Ocean Experiences have developed a number of partnerships with key environmental organisations on Christmas Island, including Christmas Island National Park, Tangaroa Blue and Clean Up Australia. Activites include the removal of marine debris from beaches and tree planting as part of Christmas Island Citizen Science Week.