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Getting
To Cocos
National Jet Systems fly twice weekly to the Cocos (Keeling)
Islands on Monday and Thursday. Flights depart from Perth International
Airport. Please visit National Jet Systems for all flight schedules to
Cocos and Christmas Islands. Extra flights are available during the school
holidays.
Baggage allowance on all flights to the Cocos (Keeling) Islands is 20kg
only, with 5 kg hand luggage. Strict excess baggage fees apply. Qantas
Frequent Flyer points can be used to fly to the Cocos Islands, however
frequent flyer bookings are normally booked out well in advance.
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Getting
Around
The local bus runs around West Island, including stops in the town centre,
the ferry jetty and outside Cocos Seaview.
The ferry runs between West Island and Home Island several times daily, as
well as special trips to Direction Island on Thursdays and Saturdays.
Bus and ferry timetables are available from the Tourism Office in the town
centre.
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Passports
& Banking
No passport is required for Australian citizens, although some form of
photo identification is necessary. No entry visa is required.
Local currency is the Australian dollar. There are no ATM facilities, but
Visa, Bankcard, & Mastercard are accepted at most shops. The only bank
(Commonwealth Bank) is open on Wednesdays from 7:30am -1pm.
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Climate
Cocos has a mild tropical climate. Temperatures
through-out the year range from a beautiful 20 to 32 degrees Celsius.
The weather for most of the year is dominated by trade
winds from the South-East of approx 15 knots. Rain occurs most often during
the night, with an annual rainfall of approx. 2000mm. Tropical cyclones can
occur between November and April, although this period is mainly hot and
sultry, with light winds.
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What To Bring
Casual, comfortable clothing is all that you need in
the Cocos Islands. Make sure you bring a hat, sunscreen, sunglasses, water
bottle, beach towel, and your bathers. A lightweight rainjacket can be
handy.
Shoes for reef walking and beach combing are a great
idea (old sneakers work well). Reef booties are also available from the
local dive shop and supermarket.
If you are planning a trip to Home Island then please
respect Cocos Malay culture and dress conservatively, covering your knees
and shoulders.
We recommend that you bring plenty of snack food or
special food like gourmet cheeses that you may like during your stay. These
items are often difficult to obtain on Cocos. Please ensure that all food
items you bring with you have been bought from a major supermarket to
comply with Quarantine requirements on arrival.
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Shopping
The supermarket carries a good range of products.
The Cocos Islands Duty Free Shop is open daily and
carries a range of perfumes, electrical items, toys, clothing, souvenirs,
jewellery and postcards.
Cocos Tackle and Dive is open daily and stocks a large
range of diving, snorkelling, and fishing gear as well as clothing,
postcards and souvenirs.
The Cocos Island Surf Shop is open daily and stocks a
range of clothing, surf-wear, rashies, souvenirs, and postcards.
The Cocos Islands Telecentre is open daily and
provides internet, phone, fax, photocopying and printing services, as well
as renting DVDs and access to a small library.
The Cocos Islands Post Office is open most days and
provides Australia Post services as well as postcards, stationery and
magazines.
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Eating Out
There are only three small restaurants on
Cocos. Tropika Restaurant on West Island provides daily western style meals
for breakfast, lunch and dinner, with a selection of buffet and a la carte
meals.
Dorreys Café is the new place to eat overlooking the Ocean.
Hours are shown on door.
Bunga Melati on Home
Islands offers traditional Malay cuisine, and is open on Wednesday nights
to coincide with the return ferry service to West Island. It is also opened
for lunch on requests. Bookings are required.
If you want to enjoy a picnic by yourselves, there are
several great areas around the island, each with their own BBQ. You can
also relax around the Cocos Seaview BBQ area, or take one of our picnic
sets to a remote corner of the Island. Catch a fresh fish, or crack open a
coconut while you're there.
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