"Heritage and Nature Trails" Christmas Island Things to Do Tip by xuessium

For folks interested to know more about the island, there are 3 trails worth some exploring.

For historical buffs, you could try:
- THE SETTLEMENT HERITAGE TRAIL
- THE POON SAAN-DRUMSITE HERITAGE TRAIL
(See Travelogue pages for more details)

These 2 trails are best done via cycling as the 20 stops for each are spread across quite some distance. While it's possible to walk to connect all of them, it can be tough-going come harsh sun or crummy rain. Driving simply blurs you through all the stops without allowing you to appreciate them properly.

For nature lovers, you could try:
- TERRITORY DAY PARK NATURE TRAIL
Done on foot within the Territory Day Park (Stop 4 of the Poon Saan-Drumsite Heritage Trail). Go through 20 stops as well to fully appreciate the Tropical uniqueness of a Christmas Island rainforest. Footpaths accessible for certain stops and bare grounds for the others. Allows 30 minutes for the entire trail.

I tried this on sandals as it was an impromptu decision though looking back now, I would have preferred it done with boots (or shoes). I was rather apologetic that I kept crushing the burrows of the red crabs (which you will see aplenty in the forest) despite my best to avoid them...and was most fearful that I will get a nip here or there from the irate crabs. (HA!)

Plenty of flora to take note of: Strangler Figs, statuesque Pandanus Plants, Arenga Palms and a host of others. Read the plaques next to each stop to understand the ecology of the forest better. Fauna in the forms of crabs and birds are most evident.

Tip 1: There are plenty of fruit trees in the Park. Come fruiting season (Nov-Jan), lovely mangoes, starfruits and breadfruits are ripe for the picking!

Tip 2: Come to the Territory Day Park to catch a sight of Settlement from atop the hill. Lovely view!

Tip 3: Check out the colonies of Christmas Island Fruit Bats nesting in the trees.