Christmas

Even though the vast dimensions of Australia may challenge its status as an isle, the Australian continent does include some beautiful islands. I haven?t visited Tasmania yet but I?ve heard its praises sung so often that I certainly will soon. The islands of the Great Barrier Reef, a favourite for tourists these days, especially Whitsunday for example. The islands on the north and north-west coasts where you have to watch out for... salt water crocodiles! And two very famous tiny islands: Christmas Island (not to be confused with its namesake in Cook?s Line Islands in the Pacific), and the miniature atoll of Cocos (Keeling) in the Indian Ocean off the Australian coast (not to be confused with the Isla del Coco in the Pacific, off Costa Rica).

Christmas Island was a ?company island? for years: an island entirely consecrated to the company excavating phosphate there. The company ruled, importing the labour they needed from Asia. Now that phosphate is less profitable, the island has become a nature reserve and is trying to attract tourists. I?ve put in there twice, at a twenty year interval, and my goodness, time doesn?t seem to have left much of a mark on the island.

1. Christmas Island

Agrandir le plan

Tourist information office : www.christmas.net.au
For sailors : www.noonsite.com