The Dales, Greta Beach Travel Guide

4.8 (26)

Explore The Dales on Christmas Island: a unique wetland ecosystem with rainforests, waterfalls, and diverse wildlife.

The Dales, a Ramsar-listed wetland on Christmas Island's western coast, is a pristine area of forests, gorges, and freshwater streams. It's home to unique flora and fauna, including the endemic blue crabs and Tahitian chestnut trees, making it an internationally significant and iconic site.

A brief summary to The Dales

GHF6+FHR, Unnamed Road, Christmas Island, Shire of Christmas Island, 6798, CX

From Eve

Know before you go

Hi, I'm Eve. Here are a few practical things to know before exploring The Dales.

A 4WD vehicle is recommended to access The Dales.
Bring insect repellent, especially during the wet season.
Wear sturdy walking shoes for the trails.
Be cautious of sea conditions near Anderson's Dale.

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Explore The Dales on the Map

A handpicked selection of must-see spots near The Dales, mapped for you.

Getting There

Driving

From Flying Fish Cove, head west along Gaze Road, then turn onto Murray Road. Follow Murray Road, which eventually becomes a 4WD track leading to The Dales. The drive is approximately 20-30 minutes. Car hire is essential for exploring the island, and a 4WD is recommended for accessing The Dales. Pre-booking is crucial due to limited availability. Expect to pay around AUD 60-80 per day for a 4WD rental.

Discover more about The Dales

The Dales, located on the western coast of Christmas Island, is a captivating wetland area recognized for its ecological significance. This area marks the spot where Europeans first set foot on Christmas Island in 1688 during William Dampier's expedition. Today, it's a favorite destination for both locals and tourists.The Dales encompass a network of seven watercourses within the Christmas Island National Park, boasting both permanent and intermittent streams, as well as permanent springs. These streams originate from underground caves, carving out gullies and natural terraces as they flow towards the ocean. The diverse vegetation ranges from tall plateau rainforest to lower coastal shrubland.The Dales are home to a variety of endemic and threatened species, including the Christmas Island hawk-owl, goshawk, and shrew. The area is also a crucial habitat for the island's blue crabs, which rely on the freshwater streams for reproduction. Millions of red crabs migrate through the Dales annually as part of their journey to the sea. Birdwatchers can spot Abbott's boobies, red-footed boobies, and brown boobies breeding within the Dales.Visitors can explore the Dales via two walking trails from the 4WD car park. The first trail, mostly a boardwalk, leads to Hugh's Dale Waterfall. The second, more adventurous trail extends to Anderson's Dale, a small gorge with a stream flowing to the sea.