Christmas Island, Australia
Many of us know Australia as a country and continent with deserts, beaches, and huge insects, but you may not know that secluded in the Indian Ocean is the Australian external territory of Christmas Island. While the island belongs to Australia, its multicultural community bears a resemblance to that of Singapore.
How did Christmas Island get its name?
Winifred Beach, Christmas Island.
Image credit: J adams via Google Maps
Christmas Island isn’t a winter wonderland, nor does it have Christmas trees growing on the island. Many navigators had spotted the island since the early 1600s, but it was Captain William Mynors of the British East India Company who gave Christmas Island its name after sighting it on Christmas Day, 1643.
Where is Christmas Island?
Pinned location of Christmas Island.
Screenshot from: Google Maps
Christmas Island is 1,330km southwest of Singapore, and around 1,550km from Mainland Australia. Its closest neighbour is Java, Indonesia, at 360km away. Although it’s a lot closer to Indonesia than Australia, Christmas Island belongs to Australia.
Brief history of Christmas Island
Christmas Island phosphate wharf.
Image credit: @tatekerton_ via Instagram
Before 1888, Christmas Island was an uninhabited land. But after the discovery of phosphate on the island, the British declared it a British dominion as they wanted to develop it for phosphate mining. Chinese, Sikh, and Cocos Malay workers were brought in from China, India, and the Cocos (Keeling) Islands to work the mines when the Christmas Island Phosphate Company was established in 1897. These migrants marked the start of Christmas Island’s multicultural community.
After the Japanese invasion and occupation ended, Britain took possession of Christmas Island until it was placed under the Crown Colony of Singapore in 1946. This led to more workers from Singapore and Malaya being recruited to work at the phosphate mines on Christmas Island. In 1958, sovereignty was transferred to Australia, and it was made an Australian Territory.
The Malay & Chinese community of Christmas Island
The immigrants who came to Christmas Island were looking for better work opportunities that they couldn’t find at home. Many of the Chinese Malaysians who moved here in the 70s were escaping the unemployment pandemic and racial tensions that the country was fraught with in those years.
Block built by HDB in Poon Saan.
Screenshot from: Google Street View
With this diverse community, it’s no surprise that there are areas and roads on Christmas Island with non-English names. Along the Northeastern coast of the island is Jalan Pantai, which translates to Beach Road; and there’s a residential area along Jalan Ketam Merah, or Red Crab Road, which was named after the Christmas Island red crabs. And you’ll see HDB-built flats in Poon Saan, which translates to “halfway up the hill” in Cantonese.
Screenshot from: Christmas Island Stories via YouTube
Similar to Singapore, Christmas Island is a kaleidoscope of cultures, with many Chinese temples and shrines, as well as a mosque. Additionally, it’s the only Australian jurisdiction that observes Chinese New Year and Hari Raya as public holidays. Currently, on this 135sqkm island, there are only around 2,000 people, with a population that’s 60% Chinese, 25% Malay, and 15% European.
What else is Christmas Island known for?
Image credit: @christmasisland via Instagram
Christmas Island is probably best known for its red crabs and coconut crabs. These crabs are native to Christmas Island, and it’s not uncommon to see them everywhere. The tiny red crabs are recognisable for their bright red colour and annual migration, during which they swarm to the coast to mate and lay eggs.
Image adapted from: @christmasisland via Instagram
The coconut crabs, on the other hand, look terrifying. They can grow up to a metre, and even climb trees. And if you’re wondering, the locals can’t make chilli crab from them as these crabs are protected under national law.
How to get to Christmas Island?
There are no direct flights from Singapore to Christmas Island. From Changi Airport, hop on a flight to Perth with Scoot, Singapore Airlines, Batik Air, or Qantas. After which, you’ll need to board a QantasLink flight to Christmas Island, which might stop over at the Cocos (Keeling) Islands. Do note that the entire journey takes around 20 hours.
Is Christmas Island a tourist destination?
While not the most accessible, there are tourists who make the journey to the island, especially around November and December, to witness the red crab migration. If you like ocean activities like diving and snorkelling, the waters here are ideal for spotting marine life, including whale sharks. Other activities for visitors are hiking through rainforests, discovering the culture and history, and simply bumming on the pristine beaches.
However, apart from the travelling journey, you’ll also want to consider the budget, as it’s known to be an expensive destination. Also, you’ll definitely need a rental car or to join a tour group to get around the island.
The future of Christmas Island
As Singaporeans, we might yearn for a slower and enjoyable pace of life, but the reality for the Christmas Islanders might not be as bright. With limited work opportunities, the newer generations, like their forefathers once upon a time, have left the island for bigger cities in search of education and work. While others have started new lives in the cities, there are still some who have returned to Christmas Island to enjoy a life by the sea.
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Cover image adapted from: J adams via Google Maps, Google Street View, Christmas Island Stories via YouTube