Experiences in Cocos Keeling Islands

GOLF
Whether you are a golf novice or an experienced golfer, do not miss out on a game of Scroungers at the local golf course. This is not just any golf course – The Cocos Keeling Islands golf course is the only course that plays across an international runway. Experience watching a plane taking-off or landing while you hit some balls across the nine-hole course. If the flight traffic is slow, there are still the magnificent views of the lagoon right next to the golf course.

The only thing you need to do to play a game of Scroungers is to forget everything you know about golf. Scroungers is a team game and the best way to mingle with the locals. Every Thursday at 3.30pm is tee off time. Make your way down to the Donga, the local golf club, to sign up for a game. Club hire and beverage purchases are available at the golf club.

BIRDWATCHING
The Cocos Keeling Islands are the first place in Australia where a chestnut-winged cuckoo has been sighted. Richard Baxter, founder of Birding Tours Australia, spotted the migratory bird in December 2018 on Home Island. The Islands offer the avid birdwatcher the chance to combine sightings of 39 breeding or resident bird species as well as numerous migratory birds with an iconic and remote tropical island experience. Unforgettable!
The Cocos Keeling Islands intercept the southwest extremity of the East Asian – Australian flyway.

Migratory shorebirds are the most travelled migrants, following the sun on their 25,000 km annual round trip from the Arctic Circle through South-East Asia and Australia to New Zealand. The non-breeding cycle, which takes place in the southern hemisphere, occurs from September to April.

Migratory birds can be sighted while they feed and replenish their fat reserves during these months on all the islands of the Cocos Keeling group. Dedicated birding tours work closely with on-island operators and Parks Australia to access the many sighting spots across the atoll. Due to the East Asian – Australian flyway the Cocos Islands are known for megabird sightings such as the Drongo Cuckoo. The only endemic bird of the Cocos Keeling Islands is the Buff-banded rail which can be found on Pulu Keeling National Park, an island north of the atoll, which is normally closed to visitors but the Buff-banded rails has recently also been spotted on Horsburgh Island, Direction Island and Home Island

In addition to the Cocos endemic Buff-banded rail, birds such as the Saunders, White and Sooty tern, Red-tailed Tropicbird, Silver bosun, Red-footed, Brown and Masked booby, common sandpiper, White-throated needletail and Rudy turnstone and many more can be spotted in the south atoll.

HONEYMOON
Imagine spending your honeymoon on a paradise island on white sand beaches with a romantic backdrop of sparkling sapphire water and luxuriant coconut palms. A place away from home, with no stress, no crowds, a place where you can enjoy the start of a new stage in your life.

Break away from the routine and experience the fabulous beaches of the Cocos Keeling Islands. Choose a completely uninhabited island or just a picture-perfect deserted beach on West Island.

While you sip champagne and watch the sunset over the lagoon, you can relax and enjoy this unique time to the fullest.

BIRDS & CRABS
BIRDLIFE
The Cocos Keeling Islands are a known destination for vagrant shorebirds and megabird sightings and an absolute paradise for any bird-enthusiast. The remoteness of the islands has helped to maintain its rich biodiversity and unspoiled environment which provides the perfect milieu for migratory birds to feed and replenish their fat reserves.

The Cocos Keeling Islands, especially the Pulu Keeling National Park (North Keeling Island) is the only landmass within a 900 km radius. It makes it a crucial landing option for birds that are on the East Asian-Australian flyways which extends from the Arctic Circle through South-east Asia to Australia and New Zealand. The Cocos Keeling Islands offer the only place for birds that are flying or blown further south during their migration. Due to this, megabirds such as the Drongo Cuckoo can be spotted on the Cocos Keeling Islands.

The only endemic bird of the Cocos Keeling Islands, the Buff-banded rail (Gallirllus phillppensis andrewsi) is found on Pulu Keeling National Park, an island north of the atoll, which is normally closed to visitors. Over the previous months the Buff-banded rail has also been spotted on Horsburgh Island, Direction Island and Home Island.

In addition to the Cocos Keeling Islands endemic birds, the red-footed booby has one of the largest breeding colonies on Pulu Keeling National Park. Due to the close proximity to West and Home Island, the red-footed booby can often be spotted in the south atoll. Not only the red-footed booby is a regular visitor to the islands, brown and masked boobys can often be found throughout the Cocos Keeling Islands. Other commonly sighted birds the Common noddy, White tern, Frigate bird, Rufus night heron, Eastern reef egret and several species of waders.

CRAB HAVEN
The Cocos Islands are a wonderland for crabs! Many species of crabs make their home here – you’ll see them on the sandy beaches and forest floors. Look out for the purple land crab, red hermit crab and horn-eyed ghost crab. Keep your eye out for a huge robber crab, You’ll be lucky to see one, but they are around! You might also spot some red crabs, found only on the Cocos Keeling Islands and Christmas Island.