Christmas Island’s Unique Golfing & Fishing Experiences
WHILE CHRISTMAS ISLAND HAS SOME OF THE MOST UNIQUE DIVING IN THE WORLD IT HAS OTHER ACTIVITIES YOU CAN ENJOY WHILE YOU ARE NOT IN THE WATER.
The course is set atop a volcanic sea mount pushed up many millions of years ago. Enjoying a tropical climate, golf is an ideal pastime on this small Australian outpost. A vibrant multicultural membership means that golfers from all corners of the world are made to feel welcome.
IDEAL LOCATION
The Christmas Island Golf Course is a 9-hole par 64 layout with fully grassed fairways and greens. The course is situated on an eastern facing gently sloping plateau. The course is bordered by the Indian Ocean to the east and tropical jungle terraces to the west. With the comfortable club house majestically overlooking the course and ocean, it is a great location to enjoy the climate and sights of Christmas Island.
Originally established in 1955, the Christmas Island Golf Course has a history that defies its relative obscurity. The course was established in 1955 by Jack Pettigrew, who years before, had cleared the land whilst he was held prisoner by the Japanese invasion forces. Run entirely by volunteers, the course is ideally located to capture the south east trade winds. The majority of the holes run north – south which requires you to adjust your golfing technique to compensate for the ball being regularly above or below your feet.
RED & ROBBER
Where else is there a local rule regarding land crabs taking your golf ball? The flora and fauna will amaze, as throughout the year you are likely to come across the infamous red crabs or the largest land crab the ‘robber’ crab.
The presence of these unique and endemic species has resulted in a local rule regarding a crab taking your ball. During the red crab migration, the course is a sea of red with golfers having to time their arrival and departure from golf to coincide with the waves of red crabs crossing the roads.
CHRISTMAS ISLAND OPEN
Why not pencil in the month of May and make the journey to play in the Christmas Island Open on one of the country’s most unique golf courses!
The Christmas Island Golf Course is Australia’s northernmost golf course. Situated 2600 kilometres north north west of Perth, Western Australia. Christmas Island is one of Australia’s jewels in the Indian Ocean.
There is no other course in the world like this one!
UNIQUE FISHING EXPERIENCE
Fishing on Christmas Island is a truly unique experience. Really, anything is possible! Breathtakingly steep drop-offs enable anglers to target big blue water fish within ridiculously short distances from the shoreline. Whether it be trolling for pelagic species such as tuna, wahoo or sailfish, casting lures for the mighty giant trevally, or jigging for the iconic dogtooth tuna, it can mean just a two minute cruise from the boat ramp before it’s time to put the lures in the water.
From December through to April the monsoon, or swell season, can limit boat fishing opportunities. When conditions allow, trolling is the most productive and easiest way to catch yourself a fish. However, for the experienced angler the options are far greater. If it’s not the big fish you are after, you can drop a line from the jetty at Flying Fish Cove or one of the many spots along the cliff tops. Land based fishing is possible year-round, though at its best during the swell season.
Through the dry season, when the fish multiply in both size and numbers, there is nothing quite like catching a big fish on a jig or topwater lure. This is where the fishing experience on Christmas Island really excels.