In 1643, the East India Company ship the Royal Mary arrived off the coast of a remote Indian Ocean island, some 2,600km north-west of what is now Perth. Captain William Mynors was unable to make landfall, but he did have the honour of naming Christmas Island for the day of his arrival – 25 December.


Christmas Tree (50c)
In this design, the Golden Bosunbird wraps its splendid tail, like a strand of tinsel, around a Christmas tree decorated with seashells, Red Crabs, and a smiling starfish atop. Christmas Island is noted for its Red Crabs, which make a spectacular migration in their millions from the forest to the sea around November each year.

Robber Crab ($1.20)
Christmas Island is the world’s most extensive breeding ground for Robber Crabs, the largest species of land crab worldwide. As their name suggests, and the stamp illustrates, they are known for their thieving habits.