Mason Bowl has been a local favorite for over 50 years, and it’s easy to see why. With 18 lanes, automatic scoring, and bumpers for the kids, it’s a spot the whole family can enjoy. When you need a break from bowling, there’s a full-service restaurant and bar to grab a bite or a drink.

On the world map of fishing locations, Christmas Island may only rate a small dot, however fish being caught here are making a big mark amongst the international fishing fraternity. The secret is out! Anglers around the world are starting to find out that Christmas Island is the hottest new spot for big fish in South East Asia. Within a few hundred metres of the boat launching facilities, it is possible to fish in thousands of metres of water for Sailfish, Tuna, Wahoo and all the other exciting species that you usually find in tropical locations. The difference is that on Christmas Island the fish are BIG, very BIG. When the ocean currents bring the tuna in, it is possible to see fish in excess of 100 kilograms feeding on the surface. While the Yellowfin Tuna roam and pass the island quite regularly, Dogtooth Tuna live permanently on the steep drop-offs that surround Christmas Island. Some of them grow to be over 80 kilograms. If you prefer the high flying aerial displays of a sailfish, during the pre-monsoon months some of the biggest Sailfish in the world are to be found around Christmas Island. Even trolling within a few hundred metres of the shoreline you will find the razor gang. Wahoo are the fastest fish in the world and Christmas Island is their favourite racetrack.

Once a year, generally in the first week of September, Bird & Nature week participants will be invited in small groups to help catch Abbott’s Boobies high in the rainforest canopy, assist to colour-band Brown Boobies and monitor their colonies on the remote and secluded rocky coasts. Participants will work with our internationally renowned guides to study the nesting biology and foraging ecology of Christmas Island Frigatebirds and Red-tailed Tropicbirds. Depending on interest and demand, there will also be opportunities to assist in the colour-banding of Christmas Island Goshawks, a Christmas Island Hawk-Owl survey, seabird identification workshops, territory mapping of Island Thrushes and closer looks at the island’s other wildlife. Nightly pre-dinner seminars will showcase the results of all the seabird research, the status of the endemic landbirds, the rarities of Christmas Island, and the marine and terrestrial ecology of the island.

Nestled at the foot of Table Mountain in Cape Town lies one of the world’s greatest Botanical Gardens. It was founded in 1913 to preserve the indigenous flora of South Africa and displays a wide variety of plants, including fynbos, karoo, savanna and a giant baobab tree. They even have plants dating back millions of years, to when there was probably only one continent. Do not miss their regular concerts during the summer.