Qantas Launches Two New Routes to Remote Island Destinations
Fancy a tropical island escape sans the crowds? Qantas has announced two new direct routes to some of Australia’s most remote territories: Christmas Island and the Cocos (Keeling) Islands, both in the Indian Ocean north-west of the mainland. Launching this November, the service will run twice weekly from Perth, making planning your next off-the-beaten-track getaway a breeze.
What do I need to know?
The new QantasLink routes take off on 3 November 2025, departing from Terminal 1 at Perth Airport. There will be two flights to Christmas Island and two flights to the Cocos (Keeling) Islands each week, operating on Mondays and Fridays – ideally timed to make the most of a long weekend. The journey from the West Australian capital clocks in at about five hours to either destination.
Do I need a visa or passport to visit Christmas Island or the Cocos (Keeling) Islands?
Australian residents don’t require a passport or visa to travel to Christmas Island or the Cocos (Keeling) Islands. However, all passengers (including children) must show photographic ID such as a driver licence, proof-of-age card or passport to clear customs and immigration. (A passport is recommended in case of flight diversions to other countries.)
For international visitors, standard Australian immigration requirements apply. A valid passport is required and visas may be necessary, depending on nationality. For the latest updates, check with the Department of Home Affairs.
Why should I travel to Cocos (Keeling) or Christmas islands?
The new routes are an invitation to discover the natural beauty of these pristine isles, with their untouched white sandy shores and reefs teeming with diverse marine life now just one stop away. The launch is part of a five-year partnership with the Australian Government, designed to support the island communities and maintain their vital link to mainland Australia.
What are the best things to do on Christmas Island?
Christmas Island, about 1500 kilometres offshore from Western Australia, has long drawn visitors from across the globe for the annual red crab migration – when the first rains of the wet season (typically October and November) trigger tens of millions of crustaceans to march from the forest to the ocean in order to mate and spawn. The sight of the entire island carpeted in undulating crimson was considered by world-renowned naturalist David Attenborough as one of the greatest television moments of his career, describing it to be “like a great scarlet curtain moving down the cliffs and rocks towards the sea”.
Beyond this spectacle, the Australian territory is a haven for nature-lovers, with nearly two-thirds of the 135-square-kilometre isle designated a national park. Its dense rainforests and wetlands provide vital breeding grounds for rare plants and endangered bird species such as the Abbott’s booby and Christmas Island frigatebird. Keep your eyes peeled as you wander along the Hughs Dale track boardwalk to the eponymous waterfall. While you could easily set up a towel on any of the idyllic beaches, the coral reefs that surround the isle are home to brightly hued tropical fish, hawksbill turtles, manta rays and even dolphins, best seen up close while snorkeling or scuba diving.
Position yourself in the heart of it all by checking into Swell Lodge. Getting there is part of the adventure: the two eco-chalets are perched on a rugged sea cliff accessible only via a 4WD track, followed by a private 80-metre walking trail. The kitchen is fully equipped, though the island’s dining spots are a 30-minute drive inland if you’d prefer a night off. A local favourite is Rumah Tinggi, open only on Saturday afternoons. Its menu shifts with the day’s catch, while buckets of Coronas and zesty margaritas make it the ideal reprieve from the tropical heat.
What are the best things to do on the Cocos (Keeling) Islands?
Home to 27 emerald isles arranged in an almost-perfect circle, the Cocos (Keeling) Islands – 2750 kilometres north-west of Perth – are a world of turquoise waters and white-sand shores, though only two are inhabited. About 80 per cent of the population lives on Home Island, where the local Cocos Malay community welcomes visitors to learn about their culture in the heart of Bantam village. Explore historic artefacts at the Home Island Museum before taking a short stroll to Oceania House. Established in 1893, this six-bedroom mansion once housed the Clunies-Ross family, who were the first settlers on the island in 1827, and Queen Elizabeth II and Prince Philip were among its notable guests. Continue your cultural immersion at Sweet As Makan, where on Wednesday nights you’ll find an all-you-can-eat feast, blending traditional Cocos Malay dishes with Western classics (be sure to book in advance).
Just a 30-minute ferry ride away, West Island offers a range of accommodation for every type of traveller and is the ideal base for exploring the archipelago. Couples and solo travellers will feel comfortable in The Birds Nest, a self-contained unit with ocean views, while groups can spread out at The Castle, an open-plan holiday home that sleeps up to eight. From here, don your flippers with Cocos Dive to explore one of the island’s more than 20 uncrowded dive sites, where green turtles, manta rays and even the elusive Cocos pygmy angelfish might swim by, or take to the seas with a kitesurfing class. Experienced surfers will want to head to The Shack, where the break offers challenging yet clean left-hand waves – though you’ll need to bring your own board. After a day on the water, watch the sun set with an ice-cold pour at Surfer Girl Brewery or grab dinner from Salty’s Bakery & Grill, a hole-in-the-wall known for its stone-grilled gourmet pizza and locally caught fish and chips (it’s open for dinner on Tuesday, Friday and Sunday).
