CITY GUIDE
CITY GUIDE
The Cairns Turtle Rehabilitation Centre (CTRC) on Fitzroy Island is a non-profit organisation operated by volunteers. The centre is dedicated to the rehabilitation of sick and injured turtles and the ultimate goal is to return the turtles to the wild.
The Great Barrier Reef is one of the best places to swim alongside our flippered friends, with six of the world’s seven species of marine turtles found here.
You can book a visit to the Turtle Rehabilitation Centre. Talks run daily at 1:00pm and go for 30 minutes. Tours run with a maximum of 15 guests and are accompanied by a tour guide.
For $12 per adult (plus a booking fee if booking online), you will quickly learn of the range of natural and human threats to these shelled beauties and the important conservation efforts of organisations and individuals who work tirelessly to return turtles to their natural home.
Advance bookings recommended.
The water around Fitzroy Island is super warm, with access to the reef right in front of Fitzroy Island resort or from Nudey Beach.
From January – April, wetsuits will be recommended in the water during stinger season. Wetsuits, mask and snorkel and fins are available for hire at the resort for $30 per day. Lifejackets are available too.
When we visited in February, we spied almost ten turtles, plenty of fish and a reef shark. Please ensure not to swim too close or to touch the wild turtles.
Nudey Beach has been listed as one of the most beautiful beaches in Australia and we wholeheartedly agree. It is entirely made up of broken dead coral and the crunching sound underneath your soled feet will soon become familiar.
The walk from Fitzroy Island resort to Nudey Beach is along a defined marked trail and will take approximately 25 minutes. It is do-able in flip flops/thongs but for any nature trail and especially walking on the coral, we always recommend closed in shoes.
You may choose to snorkel above the reef in front of Nudey Beach and then lie down on the beach afterwards to relax and sunbathe.
This will be your leg day activity. This loop can be completed in a clockwise or anti-clockwise direction, your starting and finishing point at Fitzroy Island Resort.
Allow 2.5 hours to complete the loop where you’re guaranteed to make several stops to catch your breath, observe the fauna, look out for remnants of World War II relics and take in the breathtaking views over Grafton Passage and Welcome Bay.
During the warmer months, it would be wise to complete the hike early in the morning before the heat kicks in. The trail is entirely marked and would require a good level of fitness. Wear good walking shoes, carry plenty of water and don’t forget sunscreen.
The accommodation on Fitzroy Island is managed by Fitzroy Island resort and you can book directly on their website.
Your options are:
Penthouse – Sleeps 8
Resort Studio – Sleeps 2
Island Suite – Sleeps 4
Welcome Bay Suite – Sleeps 4
Two Bedroom Suite – Sleeps 6
Beach Cabin – Sleeps 4
Butterfly Bungalows – Sleeps 4
We stayed in the Resort Studio with a Queen bed which had an ensuite, a bar fridge and tea and coffee. It was adequate and comfortable for our 2 night stay. We did find that the ceiling fan only worked on one speed and the bathroom unfortunately didn’t have much ventilation.
The Bungalows are the closest you’ll get to that camping atmosphere. Should you travel with friends or kids, keep in mind that the “Sleeps 4” option usually means there is one queen bed and one sofa bed.
Book your accommodation directly on the Fitzroy Island website and the resort offers a discount code for 5% off your ferry transfers.
Alternatively, there is a small campsite on Fitzroy Island that fits approximately 20 sites. Guests must bring all their own equipment. There is a shower block and beachfront BBQ.
Yes! In our opinion, most definitely. Fitzroy Island offers an ideal balance of daytime activities and the perfect location for relaxing. If marine life makes you giddy with excitement, then Fitzroy Island is definitely your jam.
The easiest way to go from Cairns to Fitzroy Island is aboard the Fitzroy Flyer (Fitzroy ferry). It is a 45 minute ride with the ferry departing from Cairns Marlin Marina and arriving into Welcome Bay right in front of Fitzroy Island Resort. The return trip from Fitzroy Island to Cairns departs from and arrives into the same ports.
For the most up to date ferry times and prices, refer to this website.
Yes, if you swim in the marked areas. These are the best snorkelling sections which lead right out to the reef. The warm shallow waters are directly in front of the resort and Nudey Beach. Be careful of jet skis and other boats outside of the snorkelling areas.
In our opinion, 1 – 2 days.
A half day tour option is available but this will certainly not feel like enough time.
If you’re planning a full day trip, plan your time wisely to make the most of your visit. The first ferry departs Cairns at 8.00am and the last ferry to depart Fitzroy Island leaves at 5.00pm. If you love the water and land activities, consider completing the Summit Hike in the morning and the snorkelling activities in the afternoon.
Should you choose to stay overnight on the island, one of the best things to do on Fitzroy Island is to visit Nudey Beach first thing in the morning or to stay for sunset when you’ll have the coral beach before or after the day visitors arrive and depart.
Here is a brief overview of our 2 day itinerary on Fitzroy Island:
DAY 1
Tip! To save money, purchase breakfast and lunch items and snacks from a supermarket or from Rusty’s Market before going to Fitzroy Island. All rooms will have a bar fridge but not all will have a microwave or cooking facilities. Bringing your own alcohol to Fitzroy Island is not permitted.
DAY 2
DAY 3
Here is a breakdown of the costs to visit Fitzroy Island for two adults across two days:
TOTAL COST: ~ $845 AUD
Optional activities:
