Health and Wellness
- Laundry Services
- Located at VQ3 Lodge and The Settlement self-service kiosks
- Best Hospital
- Christmas Island Hospital (IOT Health Service) in The Settlement
- Yoga & Wellness Centers
- Outdoor community yoga at the Gazebo (Flying Fish Cove) - check community noticeboard
- Gyms & Fitness Centers
- Christmas Island Recreation Centre ($15 casual pass)
Food and Drink
- Best Food Delivery App
- None; call restaurants directly for takeaway
- Best Local Dish to Try
- Chilli Crab (seasonal) and Nasi Lemak at the local Hawker style stalls
- Vegan/Vegetarian Options
- Lucky Ho Restaurant (Tofu dishes); Le Salle (Salads and wraps)
- Best Dessert Spots
- Smash Cafe for homemade cakes and Australian style Pavlova
- Affordable Shopping Spots
- Flying Fish Cove Supermarket (expensive due to freight)
- E-commerce/Online Store
- Australia Post (Amazon.com.au delivers here, but takes 2-4 weeks)
- Grocery Delivery
- Not available; residents shop in-person on 'plane days'
- Bar/Nightlife Area
- The Golden Bosun Tavern and the CI Boat Club
- Local Brewery
- None; imported Australian beers like VB and Little Creatures are standard
- Wine Bars
- The Golden Bosun Tavern (Best wine selection on the island)
- Street Food Stalls
- Hawker Style food stalls near the Roundabout on Fridays
- Popular International Cuisine
- Lucky Ho (Chinese-Malaysian); Le Salle (European/Australian)
Culture and Attractions
- Must-See Landmarks
- The Grotto (Sea cave); The Blowholes
- Museums & Art Venues
- Christmas Island Museum (Tai Jin House)
- Historical Sites
- South Point Station (abandoned phosphate town)
- Religious Sites
- Taoist Temple (The Settlement); Mosque (Kampong)
- Annual Events
- Red Crab Migration (Oct-Dec); Territory Day (October 1st)
- Cultural Districts
- The Kampong (Malay community area)
- Theater Venues
- Outdoor Cinema (Community screenings at the Recreation Centre)
- Local Markets
- CI Saturday Markets (near the Bakery) - monthly
- Music Scene
- Live acoustic sets at the Golden Bosun on weekends
- Street Art
- Crab-themed murals in the town center
- Cooking Classes
- Occasional Malay cooking classes at the Kampong community center
- Art Galleries
- Christmas Island Arts & Culture Group (The Settlement)
- Historic Buildings
- Tai Jin House (The Administrator's residence)
- Local Heritage
- Phosphate mining heritage and multicultural history (Chinese, Malay, English)
Nature and Outdoor Activities
- Nearby Nature Escapes
- Dolly Beach (Turtle nesting site)
- National Parks Nearby
- Christmas Island National Park (covers 63% of the island)
- Cycling/Walking Paths
- Territory Day Park walking trails; Martin Gully trail
- Scenic Viewpoints
- Margaret Knoll Lookout (view of the East Coast)
- Birdwatching Locations
- Golf Course (Boobies and Frigatebirds); Murray Road
- Bonfire-Friendly Spots
- Lily Beach (designated BBQ pits, strictly no open sand fires)
Other Services and Amenities
- Parcel Delivery Service
- Australia Post (Post Office, The Settlement)
- Tech Repair Services
- Limited; individual contractors only (Consult the Resource Centre)
- Table Tennis Spots
- Christmas Island Recreation Centre
- Language Classes
- English/Malay exchange via the local community center
- Libraries & Study Spots
- Christmas Island Public Library (The Settlement)
- Community Centers
- Christmas Island Resource Centre
- Gaming Lounges
- None
- Casino & Gaming Halls
- The old Christmas Island Casino is closed; limited pokies at the Tavern
Business
- Studio Purchase Price (City Center)
- Approx. $4,000 per m² (e.g., 40 m² = $160,000 AUD)
- Studio Purchase Price (Outside City)
- Approx. $3,000 per m² (e.g., 40 m² = $120,000 AUD)
- 1-Bedroom Purchase Price (City Center)
- Approx. $3,800 per m² (e.g., 60 m² = $228,000 AUD)
- 1-Bedroom Purchase Price (Outside City)
- Approx. $2,800 per m² (e.g., 60 m² = $168,000 AUD)
- 2-Bedroom Purchase Price (City Center)
- Approx. $3,500 per m² (e.g., 80 m² = $280,000 AUD)
- 2-Bedroom Purchase Price (Outside City)
- Approx. $2,500 per m² (e.g., 80 m² = $200,000 AUD)
- Corporate Tax
- 30% (Standard Australian rate, some 25% rates for small businesses)
- Dividend Withholding Tax
- 30% (Australia-wide standard)
- Tax System
- Australian Taxation System applies; residents taxed on worldwide income
- Highest Income Tax Bracket
- 45% (plus Medicare Levy)
- VAT
- 10% GST (Note: Christmas Island is currently GST-exempt on most local goods)
- Controlled Foreign Company (CFC) Rules
- Yes, strict Australian ATO rules apply
- Property Tax
- Yes, local council rates (Shire of Christmas Island)
- Property Transaction Tax
- Stamp Duty (Western Australia rates apply, approx. 3-5%)
- Attractive Tax System for Digital Nomads
- No specific nomad tax; same as Australian mainland but exempt from GST
Essentials
- City
- Flying Fish Cove (The Settlement), Christmas Island, Australia
- Population
- Approx. 1,600
- Internet Speed
- Vocus Satellite & NBN Sky Muster: 25-50 Mbps; speeds can be unstable during heavy rain
- Currency & Banking
- Australian Dollar (AUD); 1 AUD ≈ 0.65 USD; 1 USD ≈ 1.54 AUD
- Tap Water
- Drinkable; sourced from local spring water and treated
- Power
- 240V, 50Hz, 🔌 Type I (Australian three-pin)
- SIM Card
- Telstra (voted best coverage) or Optus; available at the Christmas Island Post Office
- Banking for Expats
- Westpac (at the Post Office), Commonwealth Bank (limited services), Revolut works for transfers
- Accommodation
- The Sunset, Christmas Island Apartments, VQ3 Lodge
- Cashless Friendly
- Partial; major shops accept card, but cash is essential for small vendors and emergencies
- Short Term Rentals
- Airbnb (limited), CI Real Estate weekly rentals (approx. $800 - $1,200 AUD/week)
- Budget Accommodation
- Mango Tree Lodge (~$160 AUD/night)
- Best Area to Stay for Tourists
- The Settlement (Flying Fish Cove) for easy access to restaurants and the jetty
- Best Area to Stay for Digital Nomads
- The Settlement for proximity to the island's only consistent Wi-Fi spots and services
Working and Networking
- Best Coworking Space
- No formal coworking; Christmas Island Business Association (CIBA) offers meeting rooms by request
- Best Cafe for Work
- Smash Cafe (The Settlement) - offers ocean views and decent 4G reception
- Networking Events
- Christmas Island Tourism Association monthly mixers; Friday night drinks at the CI Boat Club
- Social Events for Expats
- Christmas Island Community Noticeboard (Facebook); Hash House Harriers runs
Transportation
- Best Taxi/Ride App
- No apps; Christmas Island Taxi Service (Call +61 439 215 644)
- Bike/Scooter Rental
- Christmas Island Car Hire - scooters approx. $35 AUD/day
- Best Beach Nearby
- Flying Fish Cove (Shore diving/swimming); Lily Beach
- Top Regional Airline
- Virgin Australia (Flights from Perth)
- Top International Airline
- Garuda Indonesia (Charter flights from Jakarta)
- Highway Access
- Murray Road (Main artery connecting the airport to the Settlement)
- Main Train/Transit Hub
- None (No public trains or scheduled bus service)
- Public Transport Passes
- N/A; personal vehicle or car hire is mandatory
- Regional Travel
- Car rental is the only viable option (approx. $60-$90 AUD/day)