Uncover the best culture and foodie experiences on Christmas Island

The diversity of the language and culture on the island has influenced its identity and made for a beguiling mix of restaurants and a range of colourful cultural festivals each year.

While wildlife and adventure is the main goal of a trip to Christmas Island, you will find that food is the axis around which life in this unique Indian Ocean destination revolves. And if you’re going to fall into the rhythm of life here, the best way to do that is to roll your sleeves up and tuck into some of the local specialties.

Why was it named Christmas Island?

The reason Christmas Island, located 360 kilometres south of Java, was named after the yuletide is pretty simple: it’s because the English master of the East India Company, Captain William Mynors, sailed to the island on Christmas Day, 1643.

But it wasn’t until 139 years later, when phosphate was discovered on the island, that settlers and workers arrived, bringing with them a diverse range of cultural and religious traditions from Europe and Asia.

How this history shapes the culture & food today

Fast forward to now and the island population is a multi-cultural, harmonious mix of Chinese, Malay and Australian culture where 63 per cent of households speak a language other than English at home.

This blended heritage is reflected on the menus at the pubs, cafes and restaurants dotted around CI, as the island is affectionately known. Dishes such as crispy spring rolls, deep-fried flavour-filled wontons, coconut-based seafood curry, stir-fries and nasi goreng lightly kissed with chilli, and, yes, even chicken parmigiana, all pull the threads of Christmas Island’s cultural heritage together like strands of colourful wool.

Visitors can experience the rich cultural heritage of Christmas Island year-round as, in addition to epic wildlife and nature experiences, the CI calendar is also packed with cultural festivals that nod to the Buddhist, Taoist and Muslim traditions linked to the religions practised within the community.

In between checking out some of the best snorkelling and diving sites for which Christmas Island is known, here are some of the must-do culture and foodie experiences on offer on Christmas Island.

Where to eat & drink on Christmas Island

Sample street food at the Flying Fish Café, Flying Fish Cove

This popular food truck divides its time between Flying Fish Cove and the Kampong. The cafe on wheels is owned and operated by a local Malay family who serves street-style food such as egg roti, samosas as well as Malaysian coffee and cake. Drench your delicious savoury breakfast stir-fry of rice noodles with chives and shrimp with hot, spicy sambal to kickstart and captivate your palette.

Order avo on toast at the Smash Espresso Bar, Poon Saan

Avocado on toast is now regarded as an Australian staple. And those partial to the mainland favourite, served with a dusting of salt, pepper, and sometimes feta, will enjoy the Smash Espresso Bar rendition, slathered onto a toasted slab of ciabatta. Bacon and egg wraps are another indulgent brekkie item on the menu and this cafe is known for its specialty coffee and juices, too.

Enjoy the Smash Espresso Bar renditions.

Enjoy a Malaysian breakfast at Idah’s Kitchen, at the Malay Club

Enjoy a traditional Malay breakfast of buttery soft roti canai with chicken curry, or nasi lemak at this popular restaurant overlooking Flying Fish Cove, the island’s main settlement. Here, you will find locals getting their fill on traditional Malaysian food and sweets. Meals at Idah’s Kitchen tend to be traditional, which brings together the community. Idah’s Kitchen is also a kopitiam (coffee shop) so you can sip on a strong black coffee to round out your feast.

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Linger over lunch or dinner at Lucky Ho

Christmas Island locals wax enthusiastic about Chinese restaurant Lucky Ho, located in Poon Saan. Prawns, chillies, chives, garlic, coriander and shrimp paste are all used to flavour dishes such as wok-fried noodles and Singapore sambal yellow noodles, which are a quick introduction to Christmas Island’s pan-Asian palate. The restaurant has a homey atmosphere and serves a great rendition of Thai fried rice and fried wontons for both lunch and dinner. You can even book a room to do Karaoke here!

Dine on authentic noodle dishes at Le Cla Café

The Chinese Literary Association building is where you go to order an iced tea that starts out hot and is cooled down with loads of ice, a Le Cla speciality. Sit outside on the breezy verandah at this Malaysian-Chinese restaurant, which is renowned for its authentic noodle dishes such as char kway teow, bee hoon and kway teow. The slippery rice noodles arrive with a little bit of chilli sambal on the side. Alcohol is available here.

Foshan chicken from Le Cla Cafe & Restaurant.

Kick back at The Recreation Centre

The Kookai’z Café at the Recreation Centre up on the hill is a top spot for a burger that has been built from the ground up. The magic here lies in the old-school milk bun base, which is layered with quality ingredients, such as a home-made beef patty topped with rounds of pickled beetroot, sliced cucumber and tomato, squares of cheese and shredded lettuce glued together with a squiggle of mayonnaise.

Brew with a view at the Golden Bosun

The Golden Bosun is the name of a sub-species of bird that is unique to Christmas Island. It’s also the name of one of Christmas Island’s most popular watering holes, where a cold bevvie is best enjoyed on the verandah with ocean views. Eat your way methodically through the menu of pub classics with a CI twist such as sriracha chicken and pineapple pizza, locally caught fish (wahoo) and chicken parmigiana with salad. Beef and reef steaks are a local favourite.

Visit Rumah Tinggi on Saturday night

The Rumah Tinggi tavern is as far west as you can go without leaving Australian territory. Rumah Tinggi means ‘tall house’ in Malay and this spot in the Settlement is a hit with locals who converge here on a Saturday arvo for bar food such as bruschetta, chips and steak sangas. The waterfront bar is a top spot to watch the sun set over the sea.

Tracks Tavern

You will find this true Aussie gem tucked up in the suburb of Drumsite. Ice cold beverages, plenty of yarns and the place to keep you up to date with all things in the world of sports. Head along for Chase the Ace on Saturday evenings, or just call in for a tasty salad roll or beef pie for lunch. But be quick, it’s a local favourite and the rolls sell out fast!

The Pool Hall

If you feel like kicking on, The Pool Hall is popular with the younger crowd for drinks and dancing.

Stock up at local supermarkets

While all of the restaurants on Christmas Island have the option to dine in or takeaway, you can also stock up on everyday staples at one of the three main supermarkets on Christmas Island, all of which stock specialty Asian groceries as well as basic everyday staples.

The island’s Hidden Garden Sustainable Farm supplies the supermarkets with fresh bananas, papaya and soursop and a range of seasonal ingredients. CI Bakery supplies fresh baked goods. Keep your eye out on the Community Board for the latest fresh fish of the day from Shorefire, the local fish supplier.

Fast food

For takeaway pizza, fish n’ chips and more check with CITA for the latest up-to-date information when it comes to tracking down current take-away options and menus.

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Cultural must-dos on Christmas Island

Visitors to Christmas Island will also be satisfied with the many temples and mosques that offer a glimpse of the Australian territory’s rich cultural heritage. Each is as interesting as the next, so get your passport ready to take a step back in time along a self-guided trail or plan your stay around one of the festivals held at these places of worship.

Time your visit to coincide with a festival

There are many colourful cultural celebrations held year-round on Christmas Island, which everyone is welcome to enjoy. From Chinese New Year and the Hungry Ghost Festival, which honours the memories of the deceased, to the Malay celebrations involving Kompang drumming, traditional dance and Malay food that highlights the culture on Christmas Island.

Learn about the history of the island’s colourful visitor’s centre

Cast your gaze down Gaze Road, which is a laid-back commercial, tourism and residential hub on the island. You won’t miss the pastel blue visitor centre, which has had many incarnations as a Chinese club, Eurasian staff club, and youth club. Talk to the friendly team about historic places, relics and ruins to visit on the island.

Christmas Island Visitors Centre. — Unlock your adventure at the Visitors Centre.

Scribble a note on the community blackboard

The roundabout on Christmas Island is said to be one of the most isolated in the world. All island traffic must, at some point, pass through the roundabout, which makes it the ideal spot for a community blackboard where locals and visitors blast out messages in chalk. Beloved by all Islanders to keep up to date with what’s on, who’s on island, and even significant birthdays.

View the mosque in the Kampong

The original houses in the Kampong were made of thatch and timber to accommodate Malays recruited from Indonesia and Malaysia to work in the port and marine services. There is the 1960s-built mosque and madrassa (Islamic school) located in the kampong, which has retained its village-like feel. The Kampong is the heart of the Malay community. Listen for the Call to Prayer, which can be heard reverberating across the Kampong and Flying Fish Cove.

Enjoy the views from the Tea Garden & Tai Jin House

The Tea Garden was once a focal point for the Chinese community. Look at the art in the Tea Garden, and enjoy a sunset picnic in the park, which is located on a former residential area known as ’40 houses’. Have a peep at the 1950s-style buildings at the shops in Temple Court. What was once the home of the British Administrator of Christmas Island, Tai Jin House, offers splendid views over Flying Fish Cove and is home to the Christmas Island Museum.

Catch a film at the outdoor cinema

The Christmas Island Outdoor Cinema plays a pivotal role in island life. Built in the 1970s, the cinema was a key meeting point for the Union of Christmas Island Workers where key information was relayed. The outdoor cinema is a non-profit, community-based organisation that screens new release and cult classic movies under the stars every Saturday.

See local history at the Drumsite

Drumsite is named after the giant drum that held the cable for the gravity-based Incline of the site, which was established during the construction of the Incline and railway systems between 1910 and 1920. Take note of the private residence on Lam Lok Loh, built in 1930, which was officially known as Bungalow 702. Most other buildings in this area date from the 1950s and 1960s.

Visit a temple or two

There are Taoist and Buddhist temples dotted around Christmas Island. There are also many small hidden shrines set up in the island’s industrial, retail and residential areas and a few smaller shrines scattered throughout the forest.

Your visit to the temples will help as donations are invested back into the upkeep of the temples. The Guan Yin Monastery in the Settlement, Tai Pak Kong, Di Zang Pu Sa Dian and Si Mian Fo temples all have spiritual significance for locals.

Chinese New Year on Christmas Island. — South Point Temple. (Photo: Karenn Singer / Christmas Island Tourism Association)

A world away from the hustle, bustle and chaos of the big smoke – yet with a distinct sense of familiarity – Victoria’s Wimmera Mallee region is an incomparable place.

Victoria’s Grampians are a visual feast, a seemingly endless vista of craggy cliffs, rolling valleys and untamed bushland. But they’re also much more than a scenic mountain landscape. Diverse and storied, each region within the range has its own rhythm. The Wimmera Mallee – a pocket in the state’s north-west, stretching from Horsham to near Mildura – is one of the most captivating.

Once known as Victoria’s agricultural heartland, the Wimmera Mallee has evolved in recent years into a dynamic, slightly offbeat hub. It buzzes with a creative hum and welcoming energy, and harbours an eclectic mix of long-time locals and tree-changers. Once you encounter its unmistakable charm, feel its warm country hospitality and taste its nationally celebrated vanilla slice, you may find yourself lingering longer than planned.

Eager to explore? These must-visit spots let you experience the inimitable spirit of this special part of the world.

Wimmera Mallee’s quirky attractions

The Dimboola Imaginarium, Wimmera Mallee victoria — Step into the whacky Dimboola Imaginarium. (Image: Denis Bin)

If you’re after something a little more unconventional, the Wimmera Mallee delivers in droves.

The Dimboola Imaginarium – located in a historic bank building in its namesake town – is a gift shop and boutique accommodation in one. Shop for unique and whimsical keepsakes, stay overnight in an elegant themed room, and lose yourself in one of the Imaginarium’s interactive experiences.

Also in Dimboola, just a short drive from the Imaginarium, is a menagerie of utter delight. Tiny Goats and Co. is home to a herd of miniature goats, with the farm offering group visits and special events like goat yoga and cuddle sessions.

Arcade aficionados should visit the Australian Pinball Museum in nearby Nhill. Here, you’ll find the biggest selection of playable pinball machines in the country, featuring modern models and classics dating all the way back to 1931.

Arts and culture in Wimmera Mallee

Step into the Wimmera Mallee’s storied history at the Stick Shed — Step into history at the Stick Shed. (Image: Visit Vic)

As a thoroughly creative community, it’s no wonder the Wimmera Mallee has a host of venues focused on its rich arts and culture scene.

Wander Trickbots Metal Art & Sculpture Garden in Nullawil, a winding trail filled with unique and quirky creations fashioned from metal odds, ends and scrap. A walk through the garden is inspiring enough, but consider buying a piece to take home and treasure.

The town of Nhill also has a significant Karen-Burmese refugee community, who make up 10 per cent of the local population. Discover the artistry of this vibrant culture at Paw Po, where you can purchase traditional hand-woven and textile products. Choose from a selection of beautifully crafted homewares, fashion and dolls.

Step into the Wimmera Mallee’s storied history at the Stick Shed, the only WWII emergency grain store still standing today. This National Heritage-listed structure takes you on a journey through the region’s agricultural past and is a dramatic sight with its towering and eerily striking timber poles.

Nature escapes around Wimmera Mallee

pink Lake Tyrrel, Wimmera Mallee, Victoria Australia — Take in the pink hues of Lake Tyrrell. (Image: Visit Vic)

Much like the majestic beauty of the wider Grampians, the Wimmera Mallee is a mélange of serene and spellbinding nature escapes.

Victoria’s pink lakes are famed nationwide, and two of them are found right here. See the flamingo-pink hues of Loch Iel, particularly vivid after a heavy downpour, or the vast and ancient Lake Tyrrell, which turns pink during wet and warm conditions.

The Snowdrift dunes in Wyperfeld National Park are ideal for adventurers. Set amid the area’s semi-arid landscape, the dunes are expansive mounds of sand deposited around 40,000 years ago. Hike or sandboard them and make sure to visit at sunset, when the sand glows golden.

And while some travellers chase the highest peaks, you can see the most modest in the Wimmera Mallee. Standing a mere 43 metres above the surrounding terrain, Mount Wycheproof is considered the smallest registered mountain in the world. Courtesy of its relatively gentle inclines, it’s a lovely spot for a walk and a picnic.

Culinary adventures in Wimmera Mallee

border inn in the Wimmera Mallee — Meet the locals at Border Inn.

As a region rich in agricultural bounty, it’s little surprise the Wimmera Mallee has such a robust and vibrant food scene. The community is fiercely proud of its local produce, showcasing the flavours and heritage of the area.

The Border Inn in the village of Apsley is a quaint country pub and meeting spot for the local community, featuring a classic country menu and warm hospitality.

The Horsham Golf Club is a popular spot for golf buffs with an adjoining bistro and bar. Try a modern twist on hearty favourites while taking in views of the green. For a taste of the area’s vintages, head to Norton Estate Wines – a boutique wine producer and cellar door open weekends.

A Wimmera Mallee jaunt wouldn’t be complete without a visit to the famed Sharp’s Bakery in Birchip. Here, you’ll find a velvety vanilla slice that’s been crowned as Australia’s best seven times.

Wimmera Mallee accommodation

Fulham Homestead in wimmera mallee — Escape to Fulham Homestead.

If you’re enjoying an extended trip, you’ll need somewhere to rest. After a day tackling Wyperfeld’s epic dunes, visit Pine Plains Lodge, also in the national park. Built from reclaimed timber planks and logs, and anchored by rugged stone fireplaces, the lodge is a rustic and cosy hideaway.

For a refined yet relaxing escape, head to Fulham Homestead – a gorgeously restored guesthouse on an idyllic working farm, complete with farm animals and scenic vistas. Built in the 1840s, it has all the elegance and charm of its heritage, plus contemporary comforts like a modern kitchen, wi-fi and air-conditioning.

The Hermitage Hotel is Victoria’s oldest inland pub and an equally delightful blend of old and new. The restored rooms are perfectly appointed and adorned with period furnishings and high-quality linens. The pub itself is a favoured food and wine spot among locals and travellers alike.

If camping is more your style, the Lake Lascelles Cabins and Camping (formerly Mallee Bush Retreat) is a sprawling oasis with powered and unpowered sites and snug cabins. The setting is stunning too, the pristine Lake Lascelles sitting right in its centre.

Annual events

Wimmera Mallee Nhill Aviation Museum — Time your visit to Nhill Aviation Museum for the annual air show.

You may not need an excuse to revisit the Wimmera Mallee, but these annual and bi-annual events will almost certainly have you returning again and again.

Each year, the Lake Chalegrark Country Music Marathon takes over the town for a spectacular line-up of musicians from around Australia. The event is easygoing, family-friendly, and set in scenic surrounds on the shores of Lake Charlegrark.

Every two years, the region holds colourful events like the Wimmera Steampunk Festival, a raucous celebration of 19th-century steampunk culture with a different theme each time; the Nhill Air Show, which features jaw-dropping aerial stunts, aircraft displays, music, activities and more; and the Nati Frinj, a festival of art, culture and performance showcasing the many talents of the Natimuk community.