BANKING

Accessing funds on Cocos can be complicated if you are unprepared. Quite simply, credit cards (except Diners & Amex) are your best means of payment. Most businesses on West Island accept credit cards and several now have EFTPOS facilities.

There is a Commonwealth Bank agency that offers CBA Keycard customers on-line withdrawal facilities. This agency is not able to cash travellers cheques or foreign currency or accept cards from any other bank.

Where possible use your credit card, however most of the small businesses, particularly the Cocos Club, appreciate small notes or change.

SHOPS / LOCAL BUSINESSES

Cocos is not your usual island holiday destination, wall-to-wall with shops beckoning you to spend your
hard-earned cash. There is a small variety of shops offering an excellent range of t-shirts and souvenirs, snorkelling gear and fishing tackle and duty free items. Just to add to the challenge of shopping, opening hours differ with each business.

To take away some of the those challenges, we suggest your first port of call be the TOURISM INFORMATION CENTRE located in the administration building adjacent to the airport on West Island. Available at the Centre are many information guides that will assist in making your holiday more interesting. Our Tourism Officer will also assist with restaurant bookings, cultural tours to Home Island and general information about the islands.

LOCAL TRANSPORT

A local bus service from West Island Settlement to the jetty operates approximately 20 minutes prior to the departure of the ferry to Home Island. On Saturday the ferry diverts to Direction Island to allow tourists and locals access to this remote paradise. The ferry returns in the afternoon to return you to West Island. Timetables are available from the Tourism office or the Duty Free Shop.

RESTAURANTS / CLUB

Tourism on Cocos is still in its infancy and to date, the selection of restaurants is limited. As Cocos grows and becomes more popular, so will the choice of dining out. Currently there are two restaurants available. The Tropika is located on West Island and Bunga Melati on Home Island.

Malay cuisine is a selection of rice, noodles, curry and chilli, featuring chicken, beef, lamb and seafood dishes. Food is prepared to be flavoursome and not particularly hot, unless requested.

Dory's Cafe is the Island's only dedicated coffee shop. Located in the old Admiralty House building opposite the West Island Health Clinic. Dory's Cafe offer freshly brewed coffee and milkshakes, home baked muffins, cakes and sausage rolls are the speciality along with healthy sandwiches packed with yummy fillings. Evening meals may be arranged on request subject to numbers.

Located on West Island in the Cocos Beach Motel complex is the "Tropika", serving three meals a day. A chalk board has been placed at the front door for those wishing an evening meal. Please leave their name and number of people by 16.30, so as to give the chef an idea as to how many to cater. Avoid disappointment - bookings are essential for dinner.

On Home Island the "Bunga Melati" offers authentic Malay cuisine. "Bunga Melati" is open Wednesday evenings to coincide with the return ferry service to West Island. It is also opened for lunch on requests. Bookings are essential.

Don't want to eat at a restaurant? Usually, every third Friday, the different social clubs of Cocos prepare a "food night" at the Cocos Club. Excellently priced meals are offered along with raffles and good natured fun. Come along, share a meal. The Cocos Club also offers visitors a great venue to get to know the locals and join in with any activity that is happening.

There are also several picnic / bbq areas on West Island for visitors to use. The supermarket carries a small variety of frozen meat, chicken and fish and fresh salad vegetables. Or for the fisherman, sizzle a freshly caught trevally or sweetlip on the bbq.

WHAT TO WEAR

Packing for a holiday can be interesting, especially when you get there and find you really don't have the right attire. Pretty simple on Cocos! Shorts, t-shirts, sarongs and swimming costumes and beach towel have it covered. For the feet, we usually suggest comfortable sandals or joggers and footwear for reef walking. Unless you are visiting when there is a special function, evening wear is definitely not required. Apart from covering shoulders and knees on Home Island, casual and comfortable is the dress code. We suggest you ask your travel agent or contact us regarding likely up and coming "formal" events.