Murray Hill, Christmas Island, Summit in Christmas Island, Australia.
Murray Hill is the highest summit on Christmas Island, an Australian territory in the Indian Ocean. The hill is entirely covered in tropical rainforest and sits in the interior of the island, away from the coastal settlements.
Christmas Island was mapped by European sailors in the 17th century, though the island's interior, including Murray Hill, was documented more thoroughly by researchers in the 19th century. The hill was later named after one of the early figures who contributed to the island's survey.
Murray Hill sits within Christmas Island National Park, which covers most of the island as protected land. Visitors walking toward the summit pass through dense rainforest where the island's famous red crabs can often be seen moving along the forest floor.
Reaching the summit requires walking through national park trails, so sturdy footwear is recommended as the ground can be slippery after rain. Starting early in the morning is a good idea since the heat builds through the day and showers can arrive at any time.
Although Murray Hill is the highest point on the island, the difference in height between it and many other hills nearby is quite small, which gives the whole island a remarkably flat profile from a distance. Because the island itself is so isolated in the ocean, there is no higher land within a very large surrounding area.
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