National park · Australia
Fitzroy Island National Park
Go as a day trip from Cairns: take the 8:00 ferry, walk the Nudey Beach track and the summit before the 11:00 and 13:30 arrivals land, and be back at the wharf for the last boat. There is no entry fee; you pay the ferry.Go as a day trip from Cairns: take the 8:00 AM ferry, walk the Nudey Beach track and the summit before the 11:00 AM and 1:30 PM arrivals land, and be back at the wharf for the last boat. There is no entry fee; you pay the ferry.
- Source checked
- A source and a date are on record: we read it from an official or published page. Not yet confirmed on the ground.
- Field checked
- Someone checked it on the ground, with the date shown.
- Plan calculated
- Worked out by Voykit from its own data (times, distances, budgets). A calculation, not a measurement.
Unknown times stay unknown. How we verify
Map to the park
Add your hotel to get directions from it. · stays in this browser; shared with the pocket card.
Area
3 km² (1 sq mi)1 sq mi (3 km²)
approximate
Established
1976
Best months
May–Sep
UNESCO
None
Rules in force · 11
- Oceania ↗Oceania's island states guard their farms and reefs at the border: tick 'yes' on the arrival card for any food, plant, animal product, soil or used outdoor gear, and let the officer decide.
- Oceania ↗Across the tropical South Pacific, cyclones are possible from November to April: choose insurance that covers weather delays and keep one spare night before a long-haul departure.
- Australia and New Zealand ↗Both countries drive on the left, with long distances between fuel stops in the outback and on New Zealand's back roads; fatigue causes more visitor crashes than speed.
- Australia ↗Almost every visitor needs a visa or an electronic authorisation (ETA or eVisitor, depending on passport) before boarding: apply only through the official Department of Home Affairs site or the official AustralianETA app, and check the rules for your passport.
- Australia ↗Declare all food, plant material, seeds, wood and animal products on your arrival declaration; undeclared items can bring on-the-spot fines or visa cancellation. When unsure, declare it.
- Australia ↗Drive on the left. An overseas licence in English (or with an official translation or International Driving Permit) is accepted for visitors; check the state rules and your rental contract.
- Australia ↗Swim between the red and yellow flags on patrolled beaches; rip currents cause most beach drownings.
- Queensland ↗Marine stinger season runs November to May in tropical waters; swim inside stinger nets or in a protective suit.
- Queensland ↗Queensland keeps UTC+10 all year — no daylight saving. Clocks go back an hour crossing from New South Wales in summer.
- Great Barrier Reef ↗The reef is a marine park: no touching coral, no collecting, no anchoring outside zones; fines apply.
- Great Barrier Reef ↗Most operators add an environmental management charge to reef trips; it is usually included in the quoted price.
At a glance
- Country
- Australia
- Area
- 3 km² (1 sq mi)1 sq mi (3 km²)
- About 3.24 km² of the island is national park; the rest is the resort lease and freehold (check).
- Established
- 1976
- Best months
- May–Sep
- Permits
- For some areas
- Base
- Cairns
Fitzroy Island is a 3.39 km² rainforest island 45 minutes by ferry from Cairns, with about 3.24 km² protected as national park and the rest under the resort lease. It is the cheapest and easiest reef day from Cairns: no entry fee, no long outer-reef crossing, and coral within a two-minute swim of the wharf. Two short, steep tracks — Nudey Beach and the summit — fit inside one ferry day. The trade-off is capacity: one operator, three departures each way, and a single resort, so the island fills in July–September and school holidays. Treat it as a half-day walk plus a snorkel, not as a substitute for the outer reef.
Decide
Why go, which months, and what lives here when
At a glance
Status
- No UNESCO listing; national park since 1976.
Size and age
3 km² (1 sq mi)1 sq mi (3 km²) · national park since 1976
About 3.24 km² of the island is national park; the rest is the resort lease and freehold (check).
This page covers the park itself. Nearest base: Cairns.
Why go
- A rainforest island 45 minutes from Cairns where the fringing reef starts a two-minute swim off the beach.
- Two short, steep walks — Nudey Beach and the summit — that fit into one ferry day.
- Cheaper and easier than an outer-reef day: no long boat crossing, no seasickness.
- Coral, turtles and parrotfish close to shore, plus a glass-bottom boat if you do not swim.
When to go
- JanAvoid
- FebAvoid
- MarCaution
- AprGo
- MayBest
- JunBest
- JulBest
- AugBest
- SepBest
- OctGo
- NovCaution
- DecCaution
- JanWet season; stinger season; ferries can be cancelled
- FebWettest month; cheapest resort rates
- MarRain easing; stingers still present
- AprDrier, warm sea, fewer crowds
- MayDry, clear water, calm crossings
- JunReliable dry days; peak season starts
- JulCool nights, sunny days, busiest school holidays
- AugDriest, clearest water; book ferries ahead
- SepDry and warm; still busy
- OctWarm and humid; stingers return late month
- NovBuild-up heat; afternoon storms
- DecWet season; stingers; ferry cancellations possible
Wildlife and nature calendar
| What | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Green and hawksbill turtles near the reefAll year · Seen while snorkelling; keep distance and do not chase. | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes |
| Reef fish including parrotfish and clownfishApr–Oct · Clearest water in the dry season. | no | no | no | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | no | no |
| Stinger season (box jellyfish and Irukandji)Nov–May · Swim in the stinger net or wear a stinger suit; follow local signage. | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | no | no | no | no | no | yes | yes |
| Birds and butterflies in the rainforestApr–Sep | no | no | no | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | no | no | no |
Arrive & move
Getting in, how the park is divided, and where things are
Show 3 sectionsHideHow to get there, Zones and sectors, Sketch map
How to get there
From Cairns
Ferry from the Cairns Marlin Marina; crossings run mid-morning and early afternoon and take about 45 minutes.
45 min
Open the page →
From Cairns airport
Taxi or rideshare to the marina, then the ferry.
15 min + ferry
Open the page →
From Great Barrier Reef plan
How Fitzroy, Green Island and the outer reef compare for a Cairns stay.
Open the page →
Zones and sectors
| Zone | What is there | Access |
|---|---|---|
| Welcome Bay and the resort | Wharf, reception, restaurant, bar, hire desk and the main swimming beach. | Open to ferry passengers; resort areas for guests and diners. |
| Nudey Beach side | Coral-rubble beach on the south-west shore, reached through rainforest. | Open; walking track only. |
| Summit and lighthouse ridge | The high point of the island with the lighthouse and lookouts over the reef. | Open; steep walking track. |
| Fringing reef | Coral and fish along the rocks either side of the wharf. | Open; no take, no anchoring on coral. |
Sketch map
- 1Cairns Marlin Marina · Ranger station≈-16.919, 145.778Map ↗
- 2Fitzroy Island wharf · Gate≈-16.933, 146.000Map ↗
- 3Nudey Beach · Beach≈-16.938, 145.996Map ↗
- 4Fitzroy Island summit · Summit≈-16.929, 146.001Map ↗
- 5Lighthouse · Viewpoint≈-16.931, 146.003Map ↗
- 6Fitzroy Island Resort · Sleep≈-16.933, 145.999Map ↗
Take the points offline
6 points as a GPX waypoint file, plus a plain-text list of coordinates. Save it while you have signal: maps apps show the points without a connection.
Approximate positions on the island and the Cairns marina, for orientation only.
See & do
Caves, trails and wildlife, with how hard each is and whether it needs booking
Show Top experiencesHide
Top experiences
Practical
Fees, permits, rules, where to sleep and what can go wrong
Show 8 sectionsHideEntry fees and permits, Park rules, Where to stay, Safety, Accessibility, Visiting lightly, Questions people ask, Related
Entry fees and permits
| Item | Range | Per | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| National park entry | Free | person | No entry fee for the national park; the island is reached by commercial ferry. |
| Return ferry from Cairns | AUD 80–95 (≈ US$55–65) | person | 2026 estimate; day-return fares vary by operator and season (check). |
| Ferry plus snorkel gear, lunch or glass-bottom boat | AUD 110–160 (≈ US$75–110) | person | 2026 estimate for combined day packages (check). |
| Sea kayak or stand-up paddleboard hire | AUD 30–60 (≈ US$20–40) | hour | 2026 estimate; book at the sports hub on the island (check). |
Ranges, not quotes: fees change without notice. Check with the park or your operator · checked Sep 2026.
Ferry booking permit or guide
Camping permit or guide
National park entry no permit
What would our group pay?
People
Nights or days
- A$80–95≈ US$55–65
- A$110–160≈ US$75–110
- A$30–60≈ US$20–40
Tick the fees that apply to your trip to see a total.
A guide, not a quote: the ranges are estimates (checked 2026-09) and each fee may have rules on who pays it. Confirm on Queensland Parks and Wildlife Service — Fitzroy Island National Park before you go.
Park rules
- No camping
- There is no campground on the island; day trips and resort stays only (check).
- No take from the reef
- Fitzroy Island is within the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park; collecting coral, shells or marine life is prohibited.
- Walking tracks only
- There are no public roads; all movement on land is on foot.
- Stinger season
- From November to May swim inside the stinger net or in a stinger suit; heed beach signage.
- Drones and fires
- Drones need permission and fires are not allowed in the national park (check).
Where to stay
In the park
Fitzroy Island Resort
The only accommodation on the island, next to the wharf; rates rise in the dry season.
Near the park
Cairns
Hostels, hotels and apartments 45 minutes away by ferry; the practical base for a day trip.
Safety
Stingers in the water high
Heat and steep tracks medium
Missing the last ferry medium
Coral cuts and sun low
How much daylight do you have?
Time out
Finding the local time zone…
Times are local to the spot (zone loading). The half-hour margin is our rule of thumb, not an official figure; light fades earlier in forest or under cloud. Carry a headlamp on any route that could run late.
Accessibility
- The wharf, resort, restaurant and main beach are level and reachable without steps.
- The Nudey Beach and summit tracks are rough, steep and not suitable for wheelchairs or limited mobility.
- The glass-bottom boat suits visitors who cannot swim or walk far.
Visiting lightly
- Do not stand on or touch coral; use reef-safe sunscreen and the stinger net rather than the reef edge.
- Take all rubbish back to Cairns; the island has limited waste handling.
- Book a ferry package rather than a private boat to keep visitor numbers within the island's capacity.
Questions people ask
How much does it cost to enter Fitzroy Island?
There is no national park entry fee. You pay for the ferry from Cairns, roughly A$80–95 return in 2026 (check), and more if you add snorkel gear, lunch or a glass-bottom boat tour.
What are the best hikes in Fitzroy Island?
The Nudey Beach track (30–45 minutes each way, easy) and the summit track (1.5–2 hours return, steep and rocky). The lighthouse and summit ridge walk links both for a longer half day.
When is the best time to visit Fitzroy Island?
May to September: dry, calm crossings and clear water. November to May is stinger season, so swim in the net or a stinger suit; January and February are wettest and ferries can be cancelled.
Can you stay overnight on Fitzroy Island?
Yes, at the resort beside the wharf. There is no campground. Most visitors come as a day trip from Cairns, 45 minutes each way by ferry.
Do I need a stinger suit at Fitzroy Island?
From November to May, yes — swim inside the stinger net or wear a stinger suit. Outside those months the risk is low but signage should still be followed.
Is Fitzroy Island better than Green Island?
Fitzroy is a rainforest island with real walking tracks and a resort; Green Island is smaller and flatter with more day-trip infrastructure. Fitzroy suits walkers, Green suits those who want everything close to the jetty.
Deep dive
Every source; fees and rules change, so check before you go