Hidden gem in the Indian Ocean
Before I went to the Cocos Islands, I wouldn’t have been able to tell you these tiny specks in the Indian Ocean are Australian territory.
I wouldn’t have been able to tell you much about them at all, in fact.
They’re overshadowed by their more famous neighbour, Christmas Island, but the Cocos, about halfway between Perth and Sri Lanka, are a tropical paradise.
Twenty-six islands make up the Cocos but only two – West Island and Home Island – are inhabited, and have a combined population of about 600.
Understandably, many activities and much of the employment centre on the water, which is as blue as the sand is white.
The only downside to visiting the Cocos is the distance.
It requires a four-hour flight to Perth from the east coast of Australia.
One of the two flights a week goes direct to the Cocos, while the other requires a four-hour trip to Christmas Island and then a one-hour flight.
But if you can stand that much time on a plane, flying in over the islands’ breathtakingly beautiful beaches offers a sight to behold.
The Cocos are a world-renowned destination for kitesurfing, which is a good thing for the islands because the peak season for the activity is in the cooler (but not really that cold) months, from July to September.
The activity is so popular there are tourist packages just for kitesurfing, which include flights, accommodation, equipment hire and lessons.
Snorkelling is another popular activity because the water is an ideal temperature – between 26C and 29C – and is home to thousands of aquatic species.
When I was there, the locals stressed how good a place the islands were to raise children – everyone leaves their doors unlocked at night and the islands feel safe.
A number of playgrounds and a school are on each of the islands, meaning every child would just about know each other.
In the classroom, they would undoubtedly learn of the Cocos’ rich history.
The islands were discovered by Captain William Keeling in 1609 – hence the more formal and lesser-used name of the Cocos Keeling Islands.
In 1805, a trader from Scotland, John Clunies-Ross, arrived on the island and dug wells and planted palm trees.
That’s not all he planted – his descendants still live on the island to this day.
Recently, Governor-General Sir Peter Cosgrove visited the islands to mark the 100th anniversary of the World War I battle between HMS Sydney and the pride of the German fleet, the Emden.
The battle began when the Emden dropped anchor on the island in a bid to take control of the communications station there, but ended abruptly hours later when the German ship was forced into defeat.
The anniversary celebrations were a big deal, with many descendants of the Emden sailors flying from Germany for the occasion.
But in the end, the scenery and lifestyle are what attract people to the Cocos.
Many people from Australia and overseas keep homes there that are used only part of the year.
As I sat on the plane taking off after my five days, I was jealous I wasn’t one of them.
IF YOU GO
* Pack clothes for warmer weather, but also pack for rainy weather – it’s an island in the middle of the ocean, after all.
* Get used to living on island time. Everything runs at a slower pace.
* Make sure you visit the Muslim-majority Home Island. It has beautiful architecture and the people are among the happiest you’ll meet.
GETTING THERE
Virgin Australia flies every Monday and Saturday to the Cocos Islands. One flight is direct to Cocos from Perth, while the other goes via Christmas Island.
Email the Travel Weekly team at traveldesk@travelweekly.com.au
Australian Territory Cocos Islands Indian OceanLatest News
Collette goes off the beaten track with Canyon Country tour
To be clear TW is not advocating actually walking off the beaten track. Avoid the coyotes. Stay on the beaten track.
Intrepid & Korean Tourism Organisation team up to give agents a cooking masterclass
These guys learnt that Korean cooking is more than just putting kimchi on 2-minute noodles (as we once thought).
Winner, winner! Intrepid reveals the 9 lucky agents that won $2k
Who won the incentive? Which Intrepid trip will they spend it on? What day of the week is it again? Where am I? Huh?
Corporate Traveller reports 42% increase in Easter traffic this year
Business travellers just love Easter! Expect plenty of chocolate stained documents returning to the office on Tuesday.
Turbulent year wiped $384m off Qantas brand value: Report
Meanwhile, eating tuna at your desk can damage your own personal office brand value by several thousand dollars.
FAMIL: Room-Res & Singapore Tourism Board shows agents the Lion City’s roar
Click this article to see a man very impressed by a 20-layer chocolate cake. We're not kidding, he loved it!
Oceania Cruises offers sailors free pre-cruise hotel stay
Looking for ways to make your holidays as long as possible? Look no further.
Bonza launches new website to compliment app, agent portal
Does news about an airline's website fill you with ecstasy, glee and joy? Get your hit of the good stuff here.
MTA agents attends ‘Lunch ‘n’ Learn’ with AMA Waterways
When organising the event, Lunch 'n' Learn beat out Dinner 'n' Divulge and Breakfast 'n' Banter. Understandably so.
Travelmarvel reveals 2025 South America tours
If you spot any typos in the newsletter today it is because TW became distracted Googling images of Machu Picchu.
Tourists from 5 countries could be BANNED from visiting Australia
Anthony Albanese's immigration laws could impact tourism from certain countries.
Just how many passengers will Qantas & Jetstar hop around this Easter?
Airline workers are ready for gleeful Easter travellers! Also prepared for sticky children with chocolate on their face.
Air New Zealand gets ready for bumper Easter weekend
Air NZ gears up for travelling passengers this Easter, while TW looks to beat our egg eating record. 117 here we come!
Four Seasons Yachts reveals first itineraries to the Caribbean & Mediterranean
These trips look so good we wish there were five seasons! Alright, we'll see ourselves out...
FAMIL: Travellers Choice treats top agents to the wonders of Rotorua
This one's got plenty of famil pics and no one looks shockingly hungover in them! Clearly no TW staffers were there.
European Waterways celebrates 50th anniversary with week-long founders cruise
Plan on celebrating your 50th anniversary with a bottle of Moët and fairy bread? European Waterways has better ideas.
100th route! Jetstar celebrates the launch of Brisbane-Avalon with 12 hour sale
Jetstar knocks a ton and celebrates with a sale while TW once scored a ton and celebrated with about 17 beers.
Record-breaking year for NSW as visitor expenditure soars past $50 billion
Enjoy running round the Opera House? Be prepared to elbow even more tourists out the way.
Norwegian Cruise Line makes play for solo travellers
NCL ensuring you don't have to go trawling Tinder to find a cruise partner. Thank goodness, we were sick of catfishing.
Entire Travel Group’s Canada and Europe 2024/25 brochures are out now
Entire's new brochure is bittersweet; it both informs your clients and makes you envious of the holiday they'll take.
Malaysia Airlines adds 3 new destinations & A330neo seats
More seats means cheaper airfares and more money to spend on overpriced airport sandwiches. Woohoo!
Two divine days onboard Crystal Serenity
It's only pure serenity onboard this ship. Anxiety, agitation and anguish have been rejected by the bouncer.
How the Globus Family of Brands elevates coach touring: Travel Weekly TV with Chris Fundell
Chris' here so you don't think coaches mean peeling your thighs off a sticky leather seat every time you stand up!
The Flight Centre Foundation gears up for massive 2024 with 3 new board members
The foundation looks to invest $200k this year, spurring the TW journos to figure out how to qualify as a charity.
Barking Owl Communications to head up Anantara & Avani in ANZ
Fellow PR competitors had been barking up the wrong tree even thinking of bidding for this job!
Amex GBT to purchase CWT for $871m
It's big deals like this that get a firm handshake - hence the sore hands over at the CWT and Amex GBT offices.
1000MTG’s second global conference reminds agents to ‘strive and thrive’
Alongside messages to 'strive' and 'thrive' were those to 'survive', 'drive', 'arrive' and 'jive' (when appropriate).
Qantas A330 makes “loud bang”, pilots forced to shut down one engine
Qantas refusing to let Boeing have all the headlines in aviation world today!
GX Community Tourism Summit 2024 location revealed!
The new location has arrived and it'll blow your socks off! Time for another trip to Target for more socks then.
Visiting the destination my Mum didn’t want me to
Yet again, this journo has been a stress to his mother. Discover how this trip spurred his mother's anxiety here.
Agents come out of their shells at P&O’s turtle hatchery event
For some, it's a few glasses of bubbles to lure them out of their shell. For these agents, it was a bit more literal.
Boeing cleanout: CEO, chair to go as safety crisis plagues the manufacturer
CEOs are falling thick and fast these days. We should have started up a bingo game with their headshots in the office.
Virgin looks to swap MAX 10 order for MAX 8s amid Boeing delays: Reports
Virgin has changed its order for something smaller. Much like we have to at Maccas following a worrying doctor's visit.
Club Med unveils newest luxury yacht for 2024/25 early bird sale
This yacht is preserved for the early birds! Night Owls may also get onboard depending how late they stay up.
Abercrombie & Kent 2024 Asia Portfolio is here
Round up the family and get planning an Asia jaunt. Or, if they're hard to handle, brush them all and go it alone!
Elevate your earnings: Final days to secure double commission with Inspiring Vacations’ March offer
What could inspire you to sell more Inspiring Vacations? Double commission of course! That's all the inspiration needed.