CHRISTMAS ISLAND + COCOS KEELING ISLANDS, 9-23 April 2024, One place has just become available!

If you would like to be shortlisted for the next trip please let us know! 

Explore this remarkable island with its unique birdlife and natural history. Our expert team will make this a special experience blending the creative arts, nature journaling and scientific expertise. From early morning bird-watching walks with great photography opportunities through to nature walks, superb snorkelling, nocturnal walks and much more....see the best that nature has to offer on this remote island.

Our first week will include a detailed exploration of Christmas Island from 9 - 16 April. Christmas Island National Park features rainforests, orchids, and a wealth of endemic plant and well-known animal species, including the famous Christmas Island crabs and giant robber crabs  - and is definitely a bird-lover's paradise! Immerse yourself in nature and observe the breeding colonies of seabirds including Christmas Island Frigate birds, Great Frigatebirds, Red-footed Boobies, Brown Boobies, Golden Bosuns and Brown Noddies. Visit island research centres to learn about the island's rare and endangered species including the Blue-Tailed Skink and Listers Gecko.

We will then transfer with a flight across to Cocos Keeling Islands for a week of fascinating walks, insights into the geology, history and ecology as well as opportunities for snorkelling and marine exploration. Our art and photography workshops will continue this week looking at the species on another remote island ecosystem. 

This nature tour for a small group (maximum of 10 places available) exclusive experience includes:

• return airfares ex-Perth to Christmas Island and Cocos (Keeling) Islands
• twin share or double accommodation (14 nights)
• island transport with 4WD vehicles
• daily guided walks, scientific support and nature tours with Hamish Noller and Alan Landford
• all meals
• nature journaling with Julia Landford
• art workshops and mentoring with professional artist and tutor Zoe Lawrence
• snorkelling (diving available at own expense)

Dates: Christmas Island  9 - 16 April, and Cocos (Keeling) Islands 16 - 23 April 2024.

Tour Price: $8,700 for 15-day nature and art experience, twin/double share accommodation, including return flights ex Perth, all meals, 4WD transport, scientific guides, nature tours, art/nature journaling workshops and snorkelling. 

Payments:

- Deposit of $700.00 due by 31 November 2023 to book your place!

- Balance of $8,000.00 is payable in two payments: $4,000.00 payable by 28 July 2023, and $4,000.00 payable by 12 February 2024.

 NatureArt Lab will host an information session for participants prior to departure.

Our team: Travel with expert naturalists Julia and Alan Landford who have led expeditions to Borneo, Costa Rica, The Galapagos Islands and other destinations.

Julia Landford is the team leader and Founding Director of NatureArt Lab and brings substantial experience with natural history, nature journaling and tour management. 

Alan Landford has a scientific background in zoology, specialising in entomology from the Australian National University. He also has substantial wildlife experience from Australia and Papua New Guinea, and other regions. 

Zoe Lawrence is our professional artist on the nature tour, leading art workshops with observational drawing, colour pencil rendering for birds and wildlife illustration. Her qualifications include a Natural History Illustration Degree from the University of Newcastle, and years of experience with birds through her management role at Australia Zoo. 

Hamish Noller has a passion for conservation and scientific communication with a diverse range of experience in private and government facilities, specialising in reptile care and conservation. After graduating from the University of Queensland with a Bachelor's degree in Wildlife Science, he moved to Christmas Island to work for the invasive species unit. After a three month contract mapping Christmas Island, he moved into the threatened species unit where he worked with two of Christmas Islands critically endangered and endemic species of reptile, which are both extinct in the wild. 

He is now based on the Sunshine Coast and works full time in the zoo industry. As a reptile keeper, he cares for a range of native and exotic species, communicates with the public about reptile conservation and has worked in the field with native freshwater turtles and saltwater crocodiles . He is a keen scuba and free diver, amateur photographer, public speaker and outdoorsman. 

He is devoted to highlighting the fine details of the natural world and has a long term fascination and  personal connection to Christmas Island. 

Nature Tour Cancellation policy: 

We strongly recommend that participants take out comprehensive travel insurance against injury, illness, emergency medical evacuation, loss and damage to personal belongings, or not being able to travel on a confirmed date of departure. Insurance which includes COVID cover is required by all participants. 

If cancellation takes place up to 120 days before the trip $500.00 is payable, for cancellations 119 to 60 days before departure 50% of the cost of the tour will be forfeited. If cancellation takes place 59 days or less before the start date 100% of the tour cost will be forfeited. 

Should the trip be cancelled due to weather conditions or reasons beyond our control, participants will need to secure refunds through their insurance company.  

Please contact us at info@natureartlab.com.au if you have any questions. 

Airfares can be arranged separately through our nominated travel agent at Jamison Travel, Canberra. 

Image credit: Chris Bray Photography