Australia's Ultimate Natural Island Getaways

Sunrise Crabs on Ethel beach

Some islands offer secluded palm-lined beaches, others boast unparalleled wildlife experiences, while some are a magnet for adventure-seekers.

Then there are Australia's Indian Ocean islands, located off the north Western Australian coast (an easy flight from Perth), which tick all three boxes and more.

Lapped by tropical waters, Christmas Island is one of nature's most impressive feats. The Jurassic Park-like peak of an ancient volcano is bursting at the seams with natural wonders — from its breathtaking blowhole coast to a catacomb of caves hidden beneath a jungle teeming with an astounding array of extraordinary creatures including the world's last population of the Abbott's boobies.

While the boobies nest high in the rainforest canopy, each wet season, in synchronisation with the moon, the forest floor comes alive with millions of scarlet-coloured crabs. Naturalist, Sir David Attenborough describes their annual scuttle down to the sea to mate as one of the most spectacular animal migrations on the planet.

A short flight to the south-west of Christmas Island are the Cocos Keeling Islands. Kissed by the sun and caressed by fragrant trade winds, this necklace of 27 small islands, each with tropical sandy beaches are ready-made for that Robinson Crusoe style escape. Here, you can paddle to uninhabited islands by canoe, or catch the ferry to Home Island and discover the culture and traditions of the Cocos Malay people.

Although surfers have long made the pilgrimage to the Cocos Keeling Islands to surf Australia's most remote break, adrenalin junkies from other sports have only recently discovered this remote coral atoll. Now, every year, from July - September, kite and wind surfers and stand–up paddle boarders flock here to take advantage of the consistent trade winds, warm temperatures and the shallow protected lagoon of its central atoll.

Of course, if you just want to relax, pack a picnic, pick a deserted island and lie under a palm tree. Divine!

High on the bucket list for snorkelers and divers after a world-class underwater experience, no visit to either island is complete without venturing underwater. On Cocos, dive in the crystal clear waters of its coral atoll or eyeball the underwater Garden of Eden from a glass bottom boat while Christmas Island is the only place in Australia where you can scuba dive with whalesharks —wow!

Discover Australia's Indian Ocean Islands before the rest of the world does.


Website:  www.australiasindianoceanislands.com.au