How to make the most of your Fitzroy Island weekend getaway

One of the closest islands to the mainland, Fitzroy Island is just a quick 45-minute ferry from the Reef Fleet Terminal at Cairns Marlin Marina (near the Pier). Arrive at least 30 minutes prior to check-in for your mini voyage aboard the Fitzroy Island Fast Cat, leaving time to spare so you can fuel up with a coffee and quick brekkie nearby (Bang & Grind and Wharf ONE Cafe will do the trick).

Tip: For those wanting a sleep in, there are two more departure times from Cairns to Fitzroy Island Resort: one at 11am, and the last at 1:30pm.

9am: Hello, paradise

Although check-in time at Fitzroy Island Resort isn’t until 2pm, they offer bag storage and changing rooms with lockers, showers and pool towels for resort guests so you can slip straight into island mode.

While it may be tempting to jump straight into the crystal waters of Welcome Bay upon arrival, hold back and hit up the Dive and Adventure Centre first (located inside the resort) to book your spot on the morning glass-bottom boat tour.

10am: See the Reef from above and below

Waste no time getting up close and personal with Fitzroy’s fringing reefs. The resort’s first glass-bottom boat tour of the day allows you to learn more about the coral reefs and local marine animals. Following the 25-minute coral viewing with commentary from your skipper, you can then jump in and explore for yourself with a 50-minute snorkel session.

Depending on visibility, you could be taken ‘round the back of the island to Hidden Beach (named so because you can only see it underwater) or Shark Fin Bay with its great boulders. Both offer a great intro to the island and will help you learn the lay of the land (both dry and sea) before going out on your own.

12pm: Lunch at Foxy’s

Settle in for a lazy lunch at Foxy’s Bar and Restaurant on the beachfront at Welcome Bay, just a two-minute walk from the resort.

These guys do classic pub-style meals that are hearty and delicious. Nab yourself one of the tables or benches facing directly onto the beach. And since you’re on island time, why not set the scene with one of their cocktails. For a taste of the tropics, try Shipwrecked - a refreshing mix of spiced rum, pineapple, cranberry and lime.

Afternoon: Playtime

The rest of the day is yours to play with. Those who can’t resist jumping back into the water can hire a snorkel set from the Dive and Adventure Centre to explore the fringing reefs right off the beach. Hot spots for fish and turtle spotting are around the boulders framing both ends of Welcome Bay.

Stand-up paddleboards and sea kayaks (with glass-bottom portals) are available if you want more solo time on the water. Alternatively, book a guided kayak tour at the Hire Hut, where you’ll paddle past White Rock to explore Shark Fin Bay and Fitzroy’s sibling island, Little Fitzroy, stopping in at private beaches to snorkel some less-ventured spots.

If you want to stay on land, treat your eyes (and Instagram followers) to one of the most beautiful beaches in Queensland. Walk the 1.2km rainforest track to the coral-strewn Nudey Beach, where you can set yourself up on a private patch of sand for the rest of the day. Just remember to keep the kit on folks, because it’s nudey by name only.

Evening: Relax at the resort

If there’s some daylight left after checking into your room, slip into the resort pool where the swim-up bar will have your sunset drinks sorted. Afterwards, dine under the stars on the outdoor terrace of Zephyr Restaurant. Executive Chef Mohamed Abdell’s modern Australian menu combines locally sourced ingredients with international flavours.

Enjoy eco peace of mind during your stay

As you’ll quickly discover during your island getaway, Fitzroy Island is very passionate about keeping their patch of the Great Barrier Reef pristine. Besides the island’s turtle rehabilitation centre and reef restoration nursery (which you’ll get to explore tomorrow), the eco resort is committed to sustainability and minimising its footprint. It has removed all single-use plastics, including straws, from the island, and has made the switch to biodegradable coffee cups, ramekins and take away food containers. 

Day 2

8am: Land or sea

After trying a bit of everything from the buffet breakfast, it’s time to sort out your activity list for the day.

If you’ve got diving on your mind, waste no time visiting the Dive and Adventure Centre. These guys are PADI accredited and offer underwater adventures for newbies and scuba enthusiasts.

If it’s your first time, take advantage of the free 10-minute trial in the pool to test the waters. If you find you want more (and we’re sure you will!), sign up for the introductory scuba dive. You’ll step straight off the beach at Welcome Bay to explore the coral gardens by White Rock.

More experienced divers can opt for a guided buddy to take them on a tour of the island’s fringing Great Barrier Reef assets. And if you want to venture further, boat drop-offs with your diving partner can be organised for an additional cost.

Before you head out, talk to the dive team about how you can participate in Reef Check. The citizen science organisation program is your chance to contribute to the long-term protection of the Great Barrier Reef. The Dive Centre can supply you with the necessary equipment to collect valuable information about reef health and marine animals while you’re exploring under the sea.

Alternatively… 

Turn your attention away from the salty seas to the rugged and diverse landscape of the island’s core. Here, the scene is swapped for granite outcrops, open woodland and rainforest as you traverse the national park tracks to the island’s summit.

Start with the Lighthouse Road trail, a steep yet vista-rewarding climb north-east through the forest towards the historic lighthouse, which was the last staffed lighthouse purpose-built in Australia in 1970. If it’s a clear day, you should be able to spot island neighbour, Green Island, in the distance, as well as migrating humpbacks during the winter season.

Return via the Summit Track, which veers off to the left on your way back from the lighthouse. The boulder-strewn track climbs 600m through woodland to the island’s summit, where you’ll find slabs of granite and windswept casuarina trees framing jaw-dropping views over the island and its surrounding reefs, all the way to the mainland. From here, you’ll descend 1.4km through open heathland, exiting at the rear of the resort.

12pm: Feast on fresh prawns

Back to Foxy’s for some much-needed sustenance after burning all that energy with this morning’s adventures. Today is definitely a good day to splurge on the half-kilo of Far North Queensland cooked prawns.

1pm: Turtle time

On the surface, Fitzroy might appear to be all fun and games, but behind the scenes, this island is doing a lot of good to keep our Great Barrier Reef locals in check.

Find out first-hand about their conservation efforts on a guided tour of the onsite Cairns Turtle Rehabilitation Centre, a volunteer-operated, non-profit organisation dedicated to the rehabilitation of sick and injured turtles.

During the 45-minute tour, you’ll learn about the journey of recovery these marine beauties undergo prior to their release back into the ocean, and the number of threats facing them today.

Tours run every day except Wednesday and can only be booked on the day.

Tip: Book first thing in the morning at reception if you want to secure one of the 15 spots. The admission costs ($12 per adult and $7.50 per child) contribute towards the Centre’s mission.

Fitzroy Island is also home to a coral nursery, run by the not-for-profit The Reef Restoration Foundation. To help regenerate damaged sections of the Great Barrier Reef and ensure it grows stronger and more resilient to coral bleaching, the Foundation collects healthy coral from the Reef and grows it in Fitzroy Island’s facility. After six to 12 months, cuttings from these fast-growing and thriving corals are then returned to the ocean to replenish the World Heritage site. The Foundation runs weekly informative talks at the resort, so check in with reception to see when the next one is being held.

The rest of the day: Kick back and relax

With so much to see and only a few hours left of your Fitzroy Island weekend, it can be tempting to try and squeeze in as much as possible. But resist the urge to hurry and instead, take it easy during your final hours. You’re in tropical paradise after all, which calls for a slower pace and a splash of indulgence. And, there’s always next time to tick off those other activities!

Start with an oil shiatsu massage in the comfort of your room, combining the slow, soothing motion of a relaxation oil massage (using pure Australian golden jojoba) with traditional Japanese acupressure point Shiatsu.

Afterwards, grab a cocktail by the pool or head down to Foxy’s for Happy Hour between 4:30pm and 5:30pm (on every day, mind you), where you’ll find a selection of house wines and tap beers.

If you’ve got the kids in tow, swap the tipple for ice-creams at the general store. Then, bounce out the sugar on the ocean trampoline, before circling back to the resort for dinner.

Day 3

9:30am: Back to Cairns 

If you can squeeze in an early-morning dip before the ferry, do it because you’ll be kicking yourself for not making the most of your Fitzroy Island weekend, especially as you watch it fade into the distance on your way back to Cairns.

On the mainland, why not let ‘island time’ stretch for a little longer with a few hours lazing and grazing by the saltwater lagoon on the esplanade.

Where to go next after your Fitzroy Island weekend:

• Spending some time in Cairns before or after your Fitzroy Island weekend? Here’s where to stay and what to do, plus, the best bars in town.
• Tick off these day trips from Cairns or sign up for these adventure-packed activities.
• Explore more of Queensland’s lesser known islands.
• Want to splurge? Stay at one of these luxury islands, or why not rent one of these Queensland islands!