Fitzroy Island
Fitzroy Island is one of the most visited islands of the Great Barrier Reef, close to Cairns.
Understand
[edit]The island is 3.39 km2 (1.31 sq mi) in size, 3.24 km2 (1.25 sq mi) of which is protected as Fitzroy Island National Park. The island is within sight of the mainland; in fact, it's a peak in a mountain chain which lies south of Cairns.
Get in
[edit]Fitzroy Island is only accessible by ferry from Cairns. Ferries depart at 8AM, 11AM and 1:30PM. The trip takes 45 minutes. A day return trip costs $82. Contact Fitzroy Island Resort. ☏ +61 7 4044 6700. stay@fitzroyisland.com. You can buy tickets that include some combination of snorkeling equipment hire, a barbecue lunch and a glass bottom boat tour.
Get around
[edit]The island's roads are for walking only; they're just dirt tracks of varying quality. Reception, the eateries and the accommodation are all very close to the ferry wharf, so you won't have to walk far with bags in tow. You can travel around the island by water in a sea kayak, or rent one of several kinds of boat.
See
[edit]- Take a glass bottom boat tour of the island's fringing reef.
Do
[edit]- Swim at any of the islands calm beaches. Nudey beach is about ten minutes walk through the rainforest from the ferry wharf, but contrary to the name, is not a nude beach - clothes/swimsuits are required. The island isn't a particularly good place to sunbathe though: the beaches are made of large smooth pieces of coral skeletons, rather than sand.
- While the fish life is not as spectacular as on the outer reef snorkelling on Fitzroy Island will let you see many kinds of coral and a lot of fish life, including large parrot fish, no more than a two minute swim off the beach. One good spot is the rocks seen to the right of the ferry wharf as you arrive. Swim out around them rather than trying to climb over them into the water.
- Scuba diving is not offered at the Fitzroy Island Sports Hub (as of Oct 2023), but they still offer stand-up paddleboarding, glass bottom boat tours, snorkel tours and other activities.
Eat
[edit]The resort has several small eating establishments:
- Zephyr Restaurant for breakfast between 7AM and 10:30AM. Buffet or continental breakfasts are available. Dinner is available between 6PM and 8:30PM
- Foxy's is available for lunch - noon to 3PM and dinner between 6PM and 9PM
Drink
[edit]- Foxy's is licensed from 10AM to midnight.
Sleep
[edit]- Fitzroy Island Resort, 2/1 Spence Street Cairns, ☏ +61 7 4044 6700, fax: +61 7 4044 6790, stay@fitzroyisland.com. Check-in: 2PM, check-out: 10AM. Accommodation can be book on the Fitzroy Island website with prices starting from $130 in the quieter months - February & March - to $200 in the busier months - August - October.
Go next
[edit]Ferries to Cairns leave at 8AM, 11AM and 1:30PM