Fitzroy Island: The Ultimate Aussie Oasis
A combination of tropical rainforest, pristine white-sand beaches, rugged landscapes and the Great Barrier Reef's flourishing, vibrant marine life.
Fitzroy Island is a barefoot destination on the cusp of the world’s largest and oldest coral reef, and it’s also home to a verdant national park with scenic walking trails and a myriad of Aussie wildlife. This oasis is one of my all-time favourite islands. And this is coming from an island junkie.
Located just 45 minutes (via ferry) from Cairns, Tropical North Queensland is home to one of the world’s best-preserved islands.
Straddling the Great Barrier Reef, this World Heritage Site is steeped deep in nonpareil natural splendour.
Cairns is the destination where ancient, verdant rainforest collides head-on with the world’s largest coral reef. Fitzroy Island is a quintessential location for travellers seeking Australia’s most sublime and paradisiacal experiences.
Cairns’ inimitable, Jurassic-esque landscape attracts travellers from all over the world, and for good reason. With ample things to see and do, you can check out the Best Things to do in Cairns.
Here’s what we cover in this guide:
How to Get to Fitzroy Island
Why You Should Visit Fitzroy Island
Snorkelling & Water Activities
Fitzroy Island Walking Tracks
Travel Tips
How to Get to Fitzroy Island
You can catch a ferry or speedboat over from Cairns. It takes roughly around 45 minutes. Return rates are as follows:
Adult (14+ years old): $80.00
Child (4-13 years old): $40.00
Family Pass (2 adults + 2 children): $211.00
Why Visit Fitzroy Island
It’s perfect for a day trip, or if you want to stay for more, there’s also a resort situated on the island. The resort features a turtle rehabilitation centre, a dive and adventure centre, and a few restaurants and bars for people of all ages. This Aussie island doesn’t feature many facilities; honestly, that just adds to its charm.
The island is also home to a Reef Restoration Project, a not-for-profit organisation involving a series of coral nurseries. These nurseries essentially help damaged reefs recover faster.
This protects the Great Barrier Reef and its diverse array of native wildlife. Check out the link here for more info on the Reef Restoration Project.
Snorkelling and Water Activities
Snorkelling, paddle boarding, kayaking, ocean trampolining and the glass-bottom boat tour are available at Welcome Bay and Nudey Beach.
I’d highly recommend hiring some snorkelling gear and just going for it. If you know me, then you know that I like to doggy paddle my life away. Here, you can do the same. But you can get a doggy paddle with Nemo fish and green turtles above the colourful coral reef.
It’s times like these I am reminded of how lucky I am to have grown up in a country like Australia.
Side note: After coming off the kayak, I felt like the goddamn Hulk. My best advice, the waters are much easier to combat in the morning rather than in the late afternoon.
Fitzroy Island Walking Tracks
Time to lace up your hiking boots, or cowboy boots, whatever makes you happy, and set foot on one of the island’s many walking tracks. No doubt, they will take your breath away.
Lighthouse Walk
Duration: takes about 2 hours.
A 3.6km return. A steep concrete road leads through the rainforest towards the lighthouse. The view from the top is the best part, offering a 360-degree view of the island in all its glory. You can’t beat views like these.
Nudey Beach Track
Duration: 45 minutes
A 1.2km return. A scenic walk welcoms you to one of Australia’s top ten beaches, not-so-nude Nudey Beach.
The giant granite boulders resemble those of renowned Seychelles, setting up the perfect scene to flutter around like a mermaid or, depending on your style, a seal.
This is some of the bluest water you will ever feast your eyeballs upon.
Side note: Despite what the name suggests, this beach is not a birthday suit zone. Put your balls away and save them for another day. Sorry folks!
Secret Garden Walk
Duration: 45 minutes
A 1km return. It’s a relatively easy walk through some of the island’s lush jungle and tropical rainforest, making it the perfect nature-immersive experience.
Summit Track
Duration: 2½ - 3 hours
A 2.6km return. The Summit Track lets you fully immerse yourself in the Aussie wildlife experience as you trek through the lush rainforest and its 50 shades of green.
Fitzroy Island is dowsed with diverse Australian wildlife, including cockatoos, Ulysses butterflies, red flying foxes, and much more.
As the hike is very steep, I’d say you’d have to be relatively fit to combat this bad boy.
It’s best done in the early morning or late afternoon when the sun is not as intense.
Amongst all that adventure, there’s no doubt you’ll need to replenish your thirst. Head down to Foxy's Bar for wild cocktails and a tempting selection of snacks sure to cure your taste buds.
Fitzroy Island Travel Tips
Bring sunscreen. I left the island resembling a freshly cooked lobster but had a bloody good time—fond, burnt memories.
If you plan your timing right, you can watch whales and dolphins as they migrate. Your best bet is during the winter period, between the months of May and September.
Bring a filtered water bottle, not a plastic water bottle. That way, you can reuse it and avoid contributing to the ever-growing amount of plastic water bottles polluting our beautiful oceans.
When snorkelling or swimming, be aware of wind and strong currents.
During the warmer months, jellyfish may be present in the coastal waters; therefore, it is advisable to wear a full-body lycra suit to protect. Ninja style!
If you’re going hiking, bringing a decent pair of comfortable shoes is essential. Your feet will thank you later.
Take your rubbish with you when you leave. Up to 8 million metric tons of plastic go into the ocean yearly, polluting our planet and harming our marine life.
Don’t walk onto the reef at low tide – you can damage marine life. Please do not touch or stand on coral. And do not try to take coral home with you. That sounds like a joke, but unfortunately, it’s not. ¡Ay caramba!
FAQS
What is special about Fitzroy Island?
Enclosed by the natural splendour of the Great Barrier Reef, Fitzroy Island is an absolute paradise. 97% of the island is a national park home to mangroves, rainforests and some of Australia’s best beaches.
Is Fitzroy Island worth going to?
Fitzroy Island is worth visiting, no matter what you plan on seeing! This island is pinned as a traveller’s paradise with clear waters, rainforest, and the Great Barrier Reef.
Why are there no crocodiles on Fitzroy Island?
Crocs prefer swampy areas like mangroves. Although it’s not common to see a croc on Fitzroy Island, estuarine crocodiles inhabit the water around the island and the cays in North Queensland.
Can you swim in the water at Fitzroy Island?
Swimming, snorkelling and scuba diving are all available on Fitzroy Island. Visitors should wear full-body lycra suits to avoid getting stung by jellyfish or stingers.
So is Fitzroy Island worth visiting? You bet your ass it is.
This tropical piece of paradise is bursting with natural beauty, sure to render you speechless. From snorkelling in the Great Barrier Reef to exploring heavenly white sand beaches and dense, verdant rainforests, Cairns’ Fitzroy Island is an oasis that’ll leave you crawling back for more.
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