The park is internationally renowned for its annual red crab migration, where millions of endemic red crabs march to the sea to spawn. The island hosts 20 terrestrial and 13 seabird species, including the rare Abbott's Booby, which nests nowhere else in the world. Other notable species include the Christmas Island frigatebird, the golden bosun, and the Christmas Island flying fox. The park's waters support diverse marine life, including whale sharks and dolphins. Several endemic species of reptiles and insects can also be found, including the Christmas Island blue-tailed skink and the robber crab, the world's largest terrestrial arthropod.
The national park showcases diverse tropical rainforest vegetation, including 254 native plant species, with 17 being endemic. The forest structure ranges from tall plateau rainforest to coastal strand vegetation. Notable species include the enormous Strangler Figs, which can reach heights of 50 meters, and the endemic Christmas Island Arenga palm. The park features unique assemblages of plant species from both Southeast Asian and Australian origins, creating a distinctive ecological blend. Mangrove communities exist in several locations, though they are relatively small due to the island's steep coastline.
The island is the flat summit of an ancient volcanic seamount rising 4,500 meters from the ocean floor, formed around 60 million years ago. The landscape features dramatic limestone cliffs, terraces, and plateaus created by centuries of coral reef development and subsequent uplift. The island's rich phosphate deposits were formed from seabird droppings that accumulated over millions of years and chemically reacted with the limestone. The terrain is characterized by a central plateau surrounded by steep cliffs, some reaching heights of up to 20 meters, and numerous caves and sinkholes dot the limestone landscape.
Christmas Island was named by Captain William Mynors who discovered it on Christmas Day 1643. The island remained uninhabited until the late 1880s when phosphate mining began, transforming the landscape. The national park was established in 1980 to protect the island's unique ecosystems and endemic species. During World War II, the island was occupied by Japanese forces and later became an Australian territory in 1958. The national park now covers approximately 63% of the island's total area, protecting its remarkable natural heritage while continuing to coexist with the phosphate mining operations that shaped its modern history.
Key attractions include the Dales, featuring freshwater streams and waterfalls, and the Blowholes, where compressed air shoots through limestone cliffs. The Margaret Knoll Lookout offers panoramic views of the island and is excellent for bird watching. The Hosnies Spring area contains a unique mangrove forest growing 37 meters above sea level. The park's extensive network of walking trails includes the Boardwalk, which provides access to viewing platforms for observing the spectacular red crab migration. The Territory's Day Use Area offers facilities for picnicking and swimming, while the Lily Beach area provides opportunities for snorkeling in pristine waters.
Christmas Island experiences a tropical climate with two distinct seasons. The wet season runs from December to April with high humidity, frequent rainfall, and temperatures averaging 28°C (82°F). The dry season occurs from May to November with lower humidity and temperatures around 25°C (77°F). The island receives approximately 2,000mm of rainfall annually, with February being the wettest month. Despite being tropical, the climate is relatively moderate due to the surrounding ocean's influence, making it possible to visit year-round, though visitors should be prepared for sudden rain showers during the wet season.
Australia
-10.4850°, 105.6900°
1980
85
Christmas Island National Park protects unique tropical rainforests and the famous red crab migration. The park encompasses about 63% of Christmas Island and features dramatic cliffs and pristine beaches. It is home to numerous endemic species and important seabird nesting sites.