Lyla Lindsey
Cocos (Keeling) Islands is an external territory of Australia in the eastern Indian Ocean. The islands were discovered in 1609 by British sea captain William Keeling, but no settlement occurred until the 19th century. The islands were annexed by the British in 1857 and transferred to Australia in 1955. Today, the Cocos Islands are home to a small but growing tourist industry, with a population of around 600 people. The distance between Australia and the Cocos Islands is approximately 2,572 miles or 4,139 kilometres.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Distance from Australia | 4,139 km or 2,572 miles |
| Air travel distance | 2,290 miles or 3,685 km |
| Air travel duration | 5 hours or 6 hours 16 minutes |
| Air travel cost | $180 - $700 |
| Population | 544 (2016) or 600 |
| Population born in Australia | 73.5% |
| Population born in other countries | 26.5% |
| Population speaking Malay at home | 61.2% |
| Population speaking English at home | 19.1% |
| Population speaking other languages at home | 3.5% |
| Number of distinct seasons | 2 |
| Land area | 5 square miles or 14 square km |
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What You'll Learn
Cocos Islands is an external territory of Australia
The Cocos Islands, or Cocos (Keeling) Islands, are an external territory of Australia. They are located in the eastern Indian Ocean, about 2,290 miles (3,685 km) west of Darwin, Northern Territory, on the northern Australian coast. The islands consist of 27 islands, only two of which are inhabited: Home Island and West Island. The population of the islands is approximately 600, with 73.5% born in Australia and the remaining 26.5% from other countries. The inhabitants are predominantly the descendants of the original Malay plantation workers brought to the islands by John Clunies-Ross, a Scottish merchant, in the early 19th century. The Clunies-Ross family ruled the islands as a private fiefdom for almost 150 years until the territory was transferred to Australia in 1955.
The Cocos Islands have a tropical rainforest climate, with two distinct seasons: the wet season and the dry season. The temperature is warm and humid, ranging from 77 to 84 °F (25 to 29 °C), and the annual rainfall averages 78 inches (1,970 mm). The islands feature pristine coral reefs and an abundance of marine life, making them a popular destination for scuba diving and snorkelling. The crystal-clear lagoon forms one of the largest marine sanctuaries in the world, and the islands are also home to a unique Cocos Malay culture.
The governance of the Cocos Islands is based on the Cocos (Keeling) Islands Act 1955 and depends heavily on the laws of Australia. The islands are administered from Canberra by the Department of Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development, Communications and the Arts through a non-resident Administrator appointed by the Governor-General. The Territories Law Reform Act of 1992 amended the Cocos (Keeling) Islands Act, expanding local authority and applying the legal structure of Western Australia to the territory. The Cocos Islands Council, established in 1979, administers local affairs, and the islands are represented in federal elections as part of the electoral district of Lingiari in the Northern Territory.
The production and export of copra, derived from coconut plantations, is the territory's economic mainstay. The Cocos Islands Co-operative Society Ltd., established in 1979, provides various services such as building maintenance, construction, and inter-island transport. However, high unemployment rates remain a challenge, and much of the food, fuel, and consumer goods must be imported. The islands have an airstrip on West Island, which was used until 1967 as a stopping place for flights between Perth, Australia, and Johannesburg, South Africa. Today, regular passenger flights connect the islands with Perth and Christmas Island.
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The distance between the two is 4,139 km or 2,572 miles
The Cocos Islands, or Cocos (Keeling) Islands, are an external territory of Australia in the eastern Indian Ocean. The islands were discovered in 1609 by the British sea captain William Keeling, but no settlement occurred until the early 19th century. The Cocos Islands were granted in perpetuity to the Clunies-Ross family in 1886, and most of the current population is descended from the Malay workers brought in to work on the family's copra plantation. The territory was transferred to Australia in 1955, and the islands are now administered from Canberra.
The islands are located 4,139 km or 2,572 miles from Australia. This distance can be covered by plane in around 6 hours, with flights operating from Perth to Cocos twice a week. The islands comprise two coral atolls, with a total land area of 14 square km and a population of around 500-600 people.
The Cocos Islands experience a tropical rainforest climate, with two distinct seasons: wet and dry. The temperature rarely drops below 24°C (75°F), even at night, so lightweight clothing is recommended for visitors. The islands feature endless white-sand beaches and azure waters, with pristine coral reefs and abundant marine life, making them a popular destination for scuba diving and snorkelling.
The islands also have a small but growing tourist industry focused on water-based and nature activities, including kite surfing and birdwatching. The Cocos Malay culture and historical dramas are also a unique attraction for visitors. With its remote location and laid-back ambience, the Cocos Islands offer a quirky and relaxing holiday destination.
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It is administered from Canberra
The Cocos (Keeling) Islands are an external territory of Australia in the eastern Indian Ocean. The islands lie about 2,572 miles (4,139 km) from Australia. The islands were discovered in 1609 by the British sea captain William Keeling, but no settlement occurred until the early 19th century. In 1857, the British annexed the islands, and for the next century, they were administered from either Ceylon or Singapore.
The territory was transferred to Australia in 1955, and it is administered from Canberra. Governance of the islands is based on the Cocos (Keeling) Islands Act 1955 and depends heavily on Australian law. The islands are administered from Canberra by the Department of Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development, Communications and the Arts through a non-resident Administrator appointed by the Governor-General.
The Cocos Islands remain constitutionally distinct from Western Australia, and the power of the state to legislate for the territory is delegated by the federal government. Western Australian courts, however, do have judicial power over the islands. The Australian Government provides Commonwealth-level government services through the Christmas Island Administration and the Department of Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development, and other departments.
The Cocos (Keeling) Islands are made up of two coral atolls, the southern comprising 26 islets and the northern containing only North Keeling Island. The territory's administrative headquarters are on West Island in the southern atoll. The population of the islands is approximately 600, with 73.5% born in Australia and the remaining 26.5% from other countries.
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The islands are home to a growing tourism industry
The Cocos (Keeling) Islands are an Australian external territory in the Indian Ocean, comprising a small archipelago of 27 coral islands, of which only two are inhabited: West Island and Home Island. The islands are home to a small but growing tourism industry, with a focus on nature-based and water-based activities.
The islands offer a range of attractions for visitors, including pristine white-sand beaches, azure waters, and one of the world's largest marine parks, which is teeming with wildlife. The Cocos Malay culture is also a unique feature of the islands, with the majority of the population practising Sunni Islam and speaking a dialect of Malay as their first language. The islands are also a bird watcher's paradise, with 39 resident species of birds, including vagrant shorebirds and megabirds.
For those seeking adventure, the islands offer snorkelling, diving, fishing, parasailing, and kite surfing in the warm, crystal-clear lagoon. The waist-deep waters provide the perfect conditions for beginners to learn, while experienced kite surfers can enjoy the trade-wind season with the guidance of qualified instructors. The islands also provide the opportunity to explore historical dramas and unique cultural experiences, such as the weekend shacks, referred to as "pondoks", maintained by the Cocos Malays on the larger islands.
The remote location of the Cocos (Keeling) Islands adds to their allure, offering a tranquil and relaxing ambience. However, it is important to note that the islands are isolated and can be challenging to access. The islands can be reached by taking several regular passenger flights connecting Perth or Christmas Island. Additionally, a twice-weekly ferry service operates between West Island and Direction Island, providing an opportunity to explore multiple islands during your visit.
The tourism industry on the Cocos (Keeling) Islands is an important aspect of the local economy, providing employment opportunities and contributing to the development of the region. With its natural beauty, cultural richness, and range of activities, the islands offer a unique and memorable experience for visitors seeking a tropical paradise.
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The Cocos (Keeling) Islands Act 1955 governs the islands
The Cocos (Keeling) Islands are an external territory of Australia in the eastern Indian Ocean, consisting of two coral atolls with a total land area of 14 square kilometres (5.5 square miles) and a population of around 600. The islands were discovered in 1609 by British sea captain William Keeling, but no settlement occurred until the early 19th century.
The specific provisions of the Act include the transfer of rights, liabilities, and other interests to the Commonwealth, as well as the extinguishment of certain rights and restrictions under the 1886 Indenture. The Act also addresses the laws and legislative powers applicable to the islands, including the operation of existing laws and the application of Western Australian laws.
While the Cocos (Keeling) Islands Act 1955 forms the basis for governance, the laws of Australia are also applied to the islands "so far as they are capable of applying in the Territory", as per the Federal Government's Territories Law Reform Act 1992. This Act also grants Western Australian courts judicial power over the islands, although the Cocos Islands remain constitutionally distinct from Western Australia.
The Cocos (Keeling) Islands are located about 2,290 miles (3,685 km) west of Darwin, Northern Territory, on the northern Australian coast, and approximately 560 miles (900 km) southwest of Christmas Island, another external Australian territory.
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Frequently asked questions
The distance between Cocos Island and Australia by plane is 2,572 miles or 4,139 kilometres.
The flight duration from Australia to Cocos Island is around 6 hours.
The cheapest way to get to Cocos Island from Australia is by plane, with tickets ranging from $180 to $700.
The fastest way to get to Cocos Island from Australia is by plane, with a travel time of 6 hours.
