Fitzroy Island is a tropical island located off the coast of Queensland, Australia. It is situated about 29 kilometers (18 miles) southeast of the city of Cairns and is part of the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park. The island covers an area of approximately 4.6 square kilometers (1.8 square miles) and is known for its stunning natural beauty and diverse marine life.
Here are some key details about Fitzroy Island:
Natural Environment: Fitzroy Island boasts lush rainforest, pristine beaches, and crystal-clear waters. It is surrounded by vibrant coral reefs, making it a popular spot for snorkeling and diving enthusiasts.
Accessibility: The island is easily accessible from Cairns. Visitors can take a 45-minute ferry ride from Cairns to Fitzroy Island, which operates several times a day.
Activities: Fitzroy Island offers a range of activities for visitors. Snorkeling and diving are among the top attractions, allowing visitors to explore the colorful coral reefs and encounter a variety of marine life, including tropical fish, turtles, and corals. Other activities include kayaking, paddleboarding, hiking through the rainforest, and relaxing on the sandy beaches.
Nudey Beach: Fitzroy Island’s Nudey Beach has gained recognition as one of Australia’s most beautiful beaches. In fact, in 2018, it was named the best beach in Australia by Tourism Australia. With its pristine white sand and turquoise waters, it provides a picturesque setting for relaxation and swimming.
Accommodation: Fitzroy Island offers a range of accommodation options for visitors, including a resort with various types of rooms, beachfront cabins, and camping facilities. The resort provides amenities such as a swimming pool, restaurant, bar, and a general store.
Wildlife: The island is home to a variety of wildlife, including birds, butterflies, and reptiles. Visitors may spot iconic Australian species such as the orange-footed scrubfowl, the vulnerable green turtle, and the beautiful Ulysses butterfly.
Conservation: As part of the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park, Fitzroy Island is committed to conservation and sustainability. Various initiatives are in place to protect the island’s natural environment and preserve the delicate marine ecosystem.
When planning a visit to Fitzroy Island, it is advisable to check for updated information on ferry schedules, accommodation availability, and any specific guidelines or regulations related to the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park.
Our day on Fitzroy Island ending with a night out at the Casino!
Uncharacteristicly we seem to keep booking ourselves onto the early departure tour times…they are generally cheaper and you get ‘more of the day to enjoy’ (mums you would be impressed.) Today however this plan backfired slightly. 7.30am…We parked up, paid many dollars to park for 10hrs (max you can park for) and boarded our boat to Fitzroy…now we thought the boat got back to Cairns at 5pm…but once on board we realised the boat departs the island at 5pm and so we would be over the parking length…bet the Tourist Info man had something to do with the planning of this…
A nice reassuring chat with a guy on board who advised us the last time he was late by 15mins he got fined but the charge wasnt tooooooo bad…once bitten twice shy though with us…we risked it.
Arrived at Fitzroy island in the rain normal blazing sunshine, walked the wrong way with some heavy bags for a while looking for the snorkel and stinger hire, eventually found it. Booked onto a turtle rehab tour…for turtles caught up in nets not with drug issues…
Found a nice spot on the beach .. Morphed into our jelly baby outfits and got into the sea trying not to think to hard about the shark events on green island…
The snorkelling turned out to be one if the best yet! Lots of brightly coloured fish and coral, no jellyfish, no shark, and also best of all.. A few green turtles merrily eating sea grass.. We did a solid 2hrs then went for a ice cream .. (Slightly worrying moment when phil had a massive nosebleed in his mask.. Causing rachel to announce that he should get back to shore otherwise we would have another shark incident on our hands!)
We then went to turtle rehab tour on the island who get sick and injured turtles from around the qld coast.. A very informative discussion with the friendly guides and feeding session with a turtle who is nearly ready to go back into the sea…
After this we got back onto the beach and managed another hour or so enjoying our final look at the coral and sea creatures!
Exciting moment on route for a pre boat wee when Phil saw a snake on the path!
Back on dry land and Phil legs it to the car park…no sign of parking fine number 2 wahaaayyyy!
After the tranquility of the island what could be a more fitting end to the day than a trip to the local casino. Phil ran around it like an 8 yr old in a toy shop excited about the prospects of winning big…Rach practiced her disapproving mother look and worried about phils post casino life involving drugs and street crime. First via the night market which was very cute but not quite Hong Kong…brought Neil a Great Barrier Reef soap to add to the collection…imagine it wont look as uncrumbled as it does at the moment in 2 weeks time.
The casino visit was mostly uneventful. We lost some money. The light up floor was awesome. We went home for another bbq….
