Cocos (Keeling) Islands, Australia's Last Unspoilt Paradise

Cocos Islands, or Keeling Islands, is an Australian external territory in the Indian Ocean, closest to Sumatra, Indonesia. The territory consists of two atolls comprised of 27 islands, only two (West Island and Home Island) of which are populated. West Island hosts the capital of Cocos Islands and their only airport. It is possible to fly here from Perth, Australia, for 4.5 hours. Locals are mainly of Malay origin and practice Sunni Islam, which should be considered before embarking here. Cocos Islands are an amazing destination for nature lovers and diving enthusiasts, for this territory is a part of one of the largest sea sanctuaries in the world (467,054 km²). Marine life (over 500 species, with fish from both Indian and Pacific Oceans), sea and land birds (including many migratory ones), as well as some rare animals and manifold flora (61 native and 69 introduced species), can be observed here, in their natural habitat, in abundant numbers. What can you amuse yourself with on Keeling Islands? There is a wide array of things to do: island-hopping, fishing, scuba diving, snorkelling, hiking, cycling, having picnics, visiting a museum and even playing golf - the choice is yours!