The Dales
A Ramsar wetland at the west end of the island. Hugh’s Dale, one of the seven gorges, has waterfalls and tufa terraces and is the island’s most classic hiking spot.
The Dales is a group of gorges in the northwest of Christmas Island, listed as a wetland of international importance under the Ramsar Convention. The most popular is Hugh’s Dale, where a boardwalk leads to a waterfall. Along the way you can see huge tufa terraces and buttress-root trees. A boardwalk at the other end leads to the Blue Hole by the sea and Anderson’s Dale. The whole area is part of Christmas Island National Park, where red crabs, robber crabs and endemic birds are often seen. It is about 40 minutes’ drive from the settlement, and the final stretch is unpaved, so a 4WD is best. The trails are slippery, so wear non-slip shoes, and watch out for mosquitoes after rain.
Opening hours
Open all day (within the national park)
Nearby sights
- The Blowholes
- Territory Day Park
- Greta Beach
- Tai Jin House
- Christmas Island Red Crab Migration
- Dolly Beach
- Margaret Knoll Lookout
- Christmas Island National Park