Fitzroy Island – a continental island in the Great Barrier Reef measures 339 hectares in area. It was named by Lt James Cook in 1770.

Fitzroy is close to the beautiful Cairns and is only 45 minutes away from the tropical city travelling by fast catamaran. The Fitzroy island ferry is the main means of accessing Fitzroy Island from Cairns however it operates frequent trips everyday from Cairns.

The nearest airport from Fitzroy is the Cairns airport which is about 25 kms away by boat (connect by bus or taxi with the short trip into Cairns city, then by the ferry).

The island is a beautiful place to enjoy a great vacation with scenic rainforests and coral reefs which have retained their beauty inspite of being located so close to a thriving tropical and cosmopolitan tourist region.

96% of the island (which accounts for about 324 hectares) is preserved as a National Park, which explains the virgin beauty of the island.

Whether it is a lazy holiday or an adventurous one that you’re planning, Fitzroy will cater to all your needs. The main beach is relaxing and naturally beautiful.

Continue around to Nudey beach if you are of the more ‘a la natural’ inclination ! As quoted by

http://www.qldbeaches.com/fitzroy-island.html : “Most people who visit Nudey Beach keep their clothes on, and it is rare to see anyone nude. But the point is you do have the option.”

A relaxing swim from the beaches will give you a glimpse of both the exotic marine life, and the beautiful land based flora and fauna of the region. Enjoy the amazing sights from the guided boat trips available from the island.

For the hard core walkers there are beautiful walking paths around the island that is known for the scenic views it offers. Look out for the beautiful birds that contribute to the scenic beauty.

There are good bushwalking opportunities here. The four walking trails –

• The Secret Garden

• The Nudey beach

• the Summit trail and

• the Lighthouse road

offer great walks close to nature.

There are a number of tourist activities to indulge in, from a glass bottom boat tour, fishing, sailing, snorkelling , hiking and reef rafting. Scuba diving is yet another sport available in this idyllic marine park location. Fitzroy island Dive adventures conducts the scuba diving activities here and can provide indepth information on the amazing experiences available.

For those who would like to be a part of the night life on the island – The Raging Thunder Beach Bar – the only night club here - is of course a good option. Let your hair down in casual tropical style and party on !

There are several accommodation options in different ranges to suit all pockets. Facilities are offered to both day trippers, with increased services for those who decide to stay on for the night or an extended period.

A wide variety of cuisine is offered to tickle the taste buds. From burgers, sandwiches to exotic cuisine which should prove to be a gastronomic delight – they’re all part of the Fitzroy island experience. The pristine blue waters add to the tropical beauty of the island and are likely to remain in your memory for years to come. Nature coupled with the man made luxuries on Fitzroy Island make it a great relaxing holiday option.

It is likely while in the Cairns Region you want to example much more than a single island, in a region that offers such a wealth of travel experiences. Experience the rainforest, SkyRail, Great Barrier Reef, white water rafting, hot air ballooning – the list is actually as close to ‘endless’ as a list of holiday options gets ! Most seasoned travellers to the region will recommend setting up a ‘home base’ in the City of Cairns, because it is an ideal central location from which to be collected by the huge number of quality day tours available. Consider the apartment accommodation at the Grosvenor in Cairns, centrally located with most of the best day tours picking up right from the front door or very nearby. This allows you the opportunity to self-cater and also spread out on return home from your day trips – which will be much appreciated because most day tours offer a ‘full day’ indeed !

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We take no responsibility for inaccuracy or omissions in the information provided, which is not intended as specific advice. Before relying on the material, you should obtain appropriate professional advice relevant to your individual circumstances to evaluate accuracy, currency, completeness and relevance of the information to your specific needs.