Fitzroy Island is one of the most unspoilt islands adjacent to the Great Barrier Reef, and has changed little since being named by Lt. James Cook during his voyage of discovery in 1770. These days Fitzroy Island is an affordable island paradise, just 45 minutes from Cairns by sea transfer.
Dining
Guests on the resort have a variety of eating options. They can cater for themselves, enjoy the Flare Grill and Salad Bar, or savour excellent dining in the Rainforest Restaurant. Eating on the island is reasonably priced, varied and the quality very good.
Accommodation
Your accommodation is informal and comfortable. There are two types of accommodation.
- Beach Cabins: Accommodation on Fitzroy Island is informal, yet comfortable. Beach Cabins have spectacular views across Welcome Bay, and have two bedrooms, the main with one Queen bed and the other bedroom with separate bunk beds. Each of the 8 separate cabins have private bathrooms, and are cooled by tropical sea breezes and ceiling fans in the summer. The cabins also have ceiling fans, television, tea and coffee making facilities and shaded verandahs which make the cabins an ideal tropical retreat.
- Beach Bunkhouses: In 3 blocks of 32 rooms, they are located just 30 metres from the beach set under a canopy of shady palm trees and cooled by sea breezes and ceiling fans. The Bunkhouses consist of hostel type rooms that sleep four people. Each room also has lockable storage space. Communal freshwater bathroom/shower facilities and a kitchen for self-catering is also provided. Dining is also available at the resort. Double rooms with an interconnecting door to bunk rooms are ideal for the family
Activities
Every day is a new adventure. Relax, do nothing at all or everything! Fitzroy Island is world famous as a SCUBA diving base, operating both learn to dive PADI courses, diving for the novice, and certified open water and advanced divers.
Snorkel the soft coral beds of birdrock, experience the wonders of the reef diving, swim from the beaches (seasonal) or laze by the 30 metre pool whilst sipping on a tropical cocktail. Hire a canoe, surf ski or take up the challenge of sailing a catamaran.
About Fitzroy Island
Fitzroy Island (approximately 35km southeast of Cairns) is a "Continental" or "High" island made out of granite.
Before the last Ice Age between 8000 and 5,000 years ago, Fitzroy Island was one of the mountains belonging to the mountain range behind Cairns. As ocean levels rose 100m during the melting of the ice caps, the valley between Fitzroy and the other mountain peaks flooded, leaving it an island.
The island is surrounded by a beautiful fringing reef full of colourful marine life. The reef is easily accessible by snorkeller from the beaches of Welcome Bay. Since there are no box jellyfish in the waters off Fitzroy Island, swimming is possible all year round.
The waters around Fitzroy Island are part of the Queensland State Marine Park and Great Barrier Reef World Heritage Area and are fully protected. The island itself (area: 339 hectares) was gazetted as a National Park in 1989 and is classified as a Conservation Park zone, allowing limited recreational use.
The vegetation on the island is highly diverse, including such habitats as typical coastal vegetation, lush tropical rainforest, open woodlands, mangroves, and stunted exposed vegetation on the windswept summits.
Due to this diversity of flora and fauna, Fitzroy Island is an ideal destination for school groups studying the natural environment, including Biology, Geology, Geography, Tourism, Art, Environmental Studies, and lots more.
How to get there ?