10 Fun Things to Do on Fitzroy Island Cairns
A gem in far north Queensland, Fitzroy Island is an ideal choice if you’re looking for a tropical island escape on Australia’s Great Barrier Reef. There are many fun things to do on Fitzroy Island from swimming, snorkelling and sunbathing to hiking in the rainforests that cover the island.
With idyllic beaches, crystal-clear water, coral reefs and lush forests, Fitzroy Island is the perfect place to relax and unwind surrounded by the beauty of nature. Fitzroy Island is also the home of the famous Nudey Beach, one of Australia’s best beaches.
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I spent my holidays in Cairns and explored several tropical islands but Fitzroy Island stood out for its stunning scenery and beautiful National Park. The day trip to Fitzroy Island was one of my favourite experiences in far north Queensland.
If you’re wondering what to do on Fitzroy Island, this article explains how to spend a day enjoying this sublime island.
TIP: I went there with Fitzroy Island Adventures and had a great experience.
Fun Things to Do on Fitzroy Island
There are lots of fun things to do on Fitzroy Island and you can easily spend a day or more relaxing and exploring. Welcome Bay is the first place you’ll see on the island.
1. Swim & Snorkel at Welcome Bay
One of the best things to do on Fitzroy Island is to visit Welcome Bay. The ferry to Fitzroy Island arrives at Welcome Bay and from the moment you set foot on the island, you’ll be taken by the lovely views of distant islands, wide open skies and clear turquoise water.
TIP: Bring a pair of rubber-soled reef shoes for walking on the beach at Fitzroy Island
The beach at Welcome Bay is made up of bleached coral fragments. It’s crunchy underfoot and painful to walk on so you’ll need shoes. The sea is calm around the island and perfect for swimming and snorkelling.
One of the best snorkelling spots is near the rocks at the far end of Welcome Bay and you can see colourful fish and coral on the point just a few metres from the shore.
2. Relax at Foxy’s Café & Bar
One of the best things to do on Fitzroy Island is to relax at Foxy’s café and bar. The view from the cafe is gorgeous and it’s just a short stroll from the ferry wharf! To get there follow the path to the right of the jetty along the waterfront.
The café serves meals, coffee and alcoholic drinks and, next door there’s a general store where you can buy a sandwich or an ice cream. There are also toilets and locker facilities you can use to keep your gear safe while you’re swimming and exploring the island.
3. Water adventure activities
If you’re wondering what to do on Fitzroy Island, all kinds of water activities are on the agenda. Swimming, snorkelling, diving, kayaking, paddle boarding and fishing are all popular things to do on Fitzroy Island. You can hire snorkel and scuba diving gear, stand-up paddle boards, kayaks and stinger suits on the island.
Lessons are also available for first-timers along with guided snorkel tours of the reef.
4. Take a Glass-Bottom Boat tour
If you’re not confident in the water or you’d rather not go swimming, you can take a glass-bottom boat tour and see the coral reef and the colourful fish in the clear waters around the island without getting wet.
5. Chill out on the beach
One of the best things to do on Fitzroy Island is to relax on the beach and soak in the tranquillity and stunning views. It’s the perfect place to unwind, and do nothing much at all.
Beautiful Nudey Beach is a highlight and it’s a real thrill to catch a glimpse of this picture-perfect beach as you approach from the point and emerge through the trees onto the sandy shore.
There are no cars and the only sounds you’ll hear are the birds singing, the wind blowing through the trees and the waves lapping on the beach.
6. Fitzroy Island walks
On a day trip to Fitzroy Island, you’ll have plenty of time to explore and there are some excellent walking trails around the island.
Nudey Beach Track
1.2 km / 30 – 40 minutes return / Moderate
The short walk to Nudey Beach is one of the most popular things to do on Fitzroy Island. The trail takes you through the dense rainforest to a lovely beach on a quiet corner of the island. The path is shaded until the track opens out onto the gorgeous beach. It’s an easy trail although there are some stairs and steep sections.
Nudey Beach is made up of bleached coral fragments and is perfect for swimming, snorkelling and sunbathing. It was voted the best beach in Australia in 2018 and it’s a delight to visit on a day trip to Fitzroy Island. Many people head straight to Nudey Beach as soon as they get off the ferry.
TIP: Nudey Beach is not a nudist beach so make sure you leave your swimmers on while you’re there.
The Secret Garden Walk
700 metres return / 30 minutes / Moderate
The Secret Garden track is a lush, cool and quiet Fitzroy Island walk, perfect for a day trip to Fitzroy Island. It’s unlikely you’ll see many other visitors as the path winds up behind the resort through the rainforest to a lovely lookout point.
The Lighthouse Road
3.6 km return / 2 hours / Difficult
If you’re wondering what to do on Fitzroy Island, walk along the Lighthouse Road to the other side of the island. It’s one of the most popular Fitzroy Island walks. I followed the service road from Welcome Bay and the track was extremely steep in places.
The trail went high up on the island and it was very windy and exposed on the cliffs but the views were breathtaking.
The Summit Lookout
2-3 hours Circuit Track – Difficult
The Summit Lookout hike is the most challenging of the Fitzroy Island walks. Follow the Lighthouse Road and just before you reach the lighthouse the path forks off to the right and continues to the Summit Lookout.
This section of the track is open and exposed to the elements and from the lookout, there are sweeping 360° views across the island and out to sea. The Summit Trail descends through the rainforest and ends near the campsite on Welcome Bay.
7. Visit the Turtle Rehabilitation Centre
Fitzroy Island has a Turtle Rehabilitation Centre that helps sick and injured turtles. There are educational tours where you can learn all about the endangered turtles of the Great Barrier Reef and meet the resident turtles.
Tours run daily from 1:00 pm. and day visitors can book on the island.
If you’re a turtle lover you’re sure to enjoy swimming with turtles on the Great Barrier Reef. Find out which island is better to visit, Fitzroy Island or Green Island.
8. Fish feeding at the jetty
Fish feeding is one of the fun things to do on a Fitzroy Island day trip that everyone can enjoy. Twice a day at the jetty on Welcome Bay, the local fish are fed and you can see tropical fish like Dart Fish, Parrot Fish and Coral Trout coming in to take the food.
Don’t miss the fish feeding on the jetty at 11:30 and 2:30 pm.
9. Stay at the Fitzroy Island Resort
You can stay on Fitzroy Island in comfortable 4-star hotel accommodation at the Fitzroy Island resort. But accommodation is often booked out months in advance. The resort has a pool and a restaurant and offers a great selection of activities to keep you busy on the island.
10. Camp out on Fitzroy Island
Take your tent and stay at the Fitzroy Island campground on Welcome Bay metres from the beach. The Fitzroy Island campground is located beside the resort, not far from the jetty and backs onto the forest.
There’s a facilities block with cold showers, toilets and an outdoor kitchen area and campfires are not permitted. The campground is managed by the Fitzroy Island Resort and you can book online.
Is a day trip to Fitzroy Island worth it?
Yes! There are plenty of fun things to do on a day trip to Fitzroy Island from hiking the rainforest trails to relaxing on the gorgeous beaches. Water activities are popular with snorkelling, diving and kayaking on the coral reef at the top of the list.
If you want to unwind you can sunbathe on the beach, order a meal at the café or simply relax with a cocktail or a coffee and enjoy the lovely view.
A day trip to Fitzroy Island is a great way to spend a day in Cairns and the perfect addition to a Cairns itinerary.
Catching the Ferry to Fitzroy Island
Catching the ferry to Fitzroy Island is easy and takes around 45 minutes from the Cairns Marina.
I went with Fitzroy Island Adventures and the ferry left Cairns at 8:30 am. Boarding started half an hour beforehand. On the return trip, the ferry left at 4:00 pm from Welcome Bay. I had 6 hours to explore the beautiful Island at my own pace.
Other Fitzroy Island Ferry options
- Sunlover Catamaran transfer departs daily at 9:30 am from Cairns Marlin Marina
- The Fitzroy Island Flyer departs three times daily from Fitzroy Island.
The different departure times give you flexibility and the choice to visit for a full day or a half day.
TIP: It can be a bit rough on the water on the Fitzroy Island ferry so it’s best to be prepared and take a tablet if you’re prone to seasickness.
Hiring snorkel gear on the ferry
I hired my snorkelling gear when I booked my ticket but it can be hired on the boat. A guided tour of the reef with a marine biologist is also available for an extra fee.
Book your ferry ticket in advance
The ferry to Fitzroy Island can sell out during peak periods so it’s best to book your ticket in advance. My boarding pass was issued by email but you can call in at the office at the ferry terminal to check in before your day trip to Fitzroy Island.
TIP: I also loved Green Island, the Low Isles and Magnetic Island in Queensland.
When to Go
The best time for a Fitzroy Island day trip is in winter from June to October when the weather is cooler and swimming is safer but it’s possible to visit at any time of the year.
November to May is stinger season on Fitzroy Island and dangerous Irukandji and Box Jellyfish are found in the waters of the Great Barrier Reef. During the Summer swimming is possible but lycra stinger suits should be worn in the water. Stinger suits can be hired on the Island.
TIP: There are lots of other amazing tropical islands on the Great Barrier Reef to visit like Magnetic Island, Green Island and the Low Isles. The tropical rainforests of the Cairns hinterland are also magical to discover with the UNESCO World Heritage-listed Daintree Rainforest high on the list of places to visit from Cairns.
Final Thoughts
A Fitzroy Island day trip from Cairns is a lot of fun and well worth doing. The island is stunning and offers a real taste of tropical paradise. There are so many fun things to do on Fitzroy Island it’s easy to fill a day and staying on the island is also an option at the resort and the Fitzroy Island campground.
The Island is large enough that you can escape from other visitors and enjoy the peace and tranquillity of the rainforest and there are enough facilities for a comfortable visit with plenty of adventure activities to keep you busy.
If you can’t decide between Green Island and Fitzroy Island, it may help you to know that Fitzroy was my favourite of the islands near Cairns. It’s less developed and it’s the perfect place to relax and unwind surrounded by the beauty of nature.
FAQs
Is Fitzroy Island worth visiting?
Fitzroy Island is worth visiting for its idyllic beaches, crystal-clear water, coral reefs and lush forests. It’s the perfect place to relax and unwind surrounded by the beauty of nature.
How long should I spend on Fitzroy Island?
A day is enough time to get a taste of beautiful Fitzroy Island but 2 days allows more time to soak in the peace and serenity of the island and to try more of the activities on offer.
Can you do Fitzroy Island without a tour?
Yes, you can visit Fitzroy Island without a tour but to get there you’ll need to catch the ferry. Once you’re on the island you can choose your activities and hire snorkel gear, kayaks and paddle boards at the Sports Hub on the Island.
Can you walk around Fitzroy Island?
Yes, there are many hiking trails on Fitzroy Island and it’s easy to explore the island on foot, walk to the Lighthouse, to the Summit lookout and gorgeous Nudey Beach, one of Australia’s prettiest beaches.
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