What It's Like to Stay at Fitzroy Island Resort Near Cairns (Review)

What It's Like to Stay at Fitzroy Island Resort Near Cairns (Review)

Thinking about staying at Fitzroy Island Resort? Read this comprehensive and honest review to prepare for what awaits you on this epic island paradise in Far North Queensland.

Interested in staying at Fitzroy Island Resort? After countless trips to this tropical island in Cairns, I finally got around to spending a night here! In this short accommodation guide/review I will outline everything you need to know about staying at the Fitzroy Island Resort, including the facilities on offer, how to get here and how to book a great deal.

I have also included a number of my photos that I took during my stay which I hope will inspire you to visit!

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About Fitzroy Island and the resort

Fitzroy Island is one of the closest Great Barrier Reef islands to Cairns and can be reached in just 45 minutes by ferry. The island rises 370 meters above sea level and is actually the highest of the many popular islands in the region. As a result, the island is great for hiking, and the fringing reef and pristine snorkeling spots make it an ideal spot for snorkeling and diving.

Fitzroy Island Resort is the only resort or accommodation option on the island as the rest is divided into National Parks and Cairns Regional Council designations.

If you're planning a trip to Fitzroy Island, then staying at the Fitzroy Island Resort makes sense as there's just so much to do here that it's hard to cover it in just a short day trip. Luckily, Fitzroy Island Resort is actually one of the cheapest accommodation options near Cairns as far as resorts go.

Many people who visit Cairns choose to spend at least one night on the island as it breaks up the trip perfectly!
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Booking a stay at Fitzroy Island Resort

The resort on Fitzroy is one of the most popular locations in Far North Queensland. Consequently, you would expect the rooms to fill up fairly quickly. For this reason, I strongly recommend that you book a room online in advance to secure a place on your dates.

There are several rooms and accommodation options to choose from at Fitzroy Island Resort. Below I have listed the options in order from most expensive to cheapest. You can click on the booking link to find photos and current prices for each room.

• Penthouse
• Willkommen Bay Apartment
• Strandhütte
• Insel-Suite
• Suite mit 2 Schlafzimmern
• Schmetterlings-Bungalows
• Resort-Studio (Doppelzimmer oder Queensize-Bett)
• Campingplatz

I stayed in the Island Suite, which included a full kitchen, living area, bathroom, separate ocean-view bedroom, and a balcony overlooking the beach.

Check price and availability on your travel dates at Fitzroy Island Resort
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Getting to Fitzroy Island (ferry)

Of course, if you want to stay at the Fitzroy Island Resort you will also need to arrange a ferry. When you book a room, you will receive an email explaining the ferry process. You can also book a ferry for the return journey online in advance on GetYourGuide.

Ferry times are flexible with the option to choose one of several daily ferry times. The ferry departs from Cairns Reef Terminal and it is recommended to arrive approximately 20 to 30 minutes before departure.

If you're not staying on the island, the ticket below is also the cheapest you'll find for a round-trip day trip transfer at $83 per person.

Check the timetable and book your ferry from Cairns to Fitzroy Island
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My favorite island in Cairns: Frankland Islands

What to Expect at Fitzroy Island Resort

A short 45-minute drive from Cairns Harbor will take you to Fitzroy Island's white sandy coast lined with reefs. If you are staying at the Fitzroy Island Resort, walk down to the pier and walk up the steps to the resort entrance. Here the staff will greet you and check you into your room.

If you are traveling to the island early, you can use the luggage rooms near the pool to store your luggage before check-in.

The room

While you get a quick overview of what's included in each room via the booking link above, I thought I'd share some photos of our room to show you how epic this resort is.

As I mentioned, we stayed in the Island Suite, which was right on the doorstep of Welcome Bay. We were really surprised that the suite had a full kitchen and a separate living area. The highlight was definitely the beach balcony overlooking the tropical gardens and white coral shores of Welcome Bay.
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Resort facilities

Pool with swim-up bar

One of the best highlights of the Fitzroy Island Resort is the huge pool on the beach. You'll find it right next to reception, complete with an island and swim-up bar!

It is particularly spectacular at night on a warm evening in the tropics. It's really hard to understand that you can get such a luxurious experience in Australia for under $150 a night!
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Restaurants

The Fitzroy Island Resort has its own restaurant called Zephyr’s. You will find it next to the reception area and it is open for breakfast and dinner. Visitors will also find another restaurant/bar just a little further up the beach. This one is called Foxy’s and offers slightly cheaper “bar food” style meals. Foxy’s is open for lunch and dinner and also serves cocktails and drinks.

Note: If you plan to dine at Zephyr’s for breakfast or dinner, you will need to reserve a table at least a few hours in advance as it is very popular with guests.
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FISH: diving center

Fitzroy Island Resort has its own newly designed dive center called FISH, located next to the pool entrance. I had the privilege of photographing their new tours and diving courses during my visit. This allowed me to get an in-depth look at everything they had to offer and even go diving in their brand new scuba gear.

Since Fitzroy Island sits right on the edge of the Great Barrier Reef, it's a great place for diving or snorkeling. Here you will find healthy corals and abundant marine life. However, the best attractions, like Shark Fin Rock, are easier to reach by boat.

So if you're planning to visit the island on a day trip or stay at the Fitzroy Island Resort, visit the dive center's friendly staff to find out more about their guided snorkeling and diving tours and their PADI-licensed diving courses.
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Children's playground

For busy parents looking to relax for a few hours, Fitzroy Island Resort offers activities and child care. The game centers can be found right next to FISH.
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General store on Fitzroy Island

The only shop/kiosk on the island is next to Foxy’s Bar. This small shop is run by the resort and sells small snacks and a few souvenirs. I found the prices a bit steep and the selection a bit narrow, but I certainly don't expect much more from a small island. You can think of this more as a quick stop for light snacks.

If you are planning a stay at the Fitzroy Island Resort and have booked a suite or apartment with a kitchen, I would recommend bringing some food from the mainland rather than relying on the general store. Otherwise, you can easily get meals in the two restaurants.
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Equipment rental

Fitzroy Island is one of my favorite Great Barrier Reef islands for adventure and activities. Visit FISH for affordable equipment rentals, including rental of:

• Schnorchel, Flossen und Masken
• Stand-up-Paddle-Boards
• Kajaks
• Kuppelbodenplatten

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Comparison: Fitzroy Island vs. Green Island

Things to do on Fitzroy Island

I bet you're pretty excited by now to visit Fitzroy Island and maybe even stay at the Fitzroy Island Resort! If you're planning a trip, be sure to check out my complete guide to the island, which includes the best things to do and a range of other photos to inspire you for your trip.

However, if you're in a hurry and only have a few hours, there are some activities you shouldn't miss:

• Die Fitzroy Island Gipfelwanderung
• Glasbodenbootstour (mit FISH)
• Schnorcheln/Tauchen am Shark Fin Rock oder White Rock
• Besuchen Sie Nudey Beach

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The Verdict: Should you stay on Fitzroy Island?

I think it's pretty clear now that I'm a big fan of Fitzroy Island Resort. For travelers like me who are used to guesthouses and budget hostels, I find it refreshing to be able to experience a few nights of top Australian luxury hospitality without it costing as much as a 3 month backpacking trip in Southeast Asia!

I'm super impressed with the resort and honestly can't find much to complain about. In fact, I would say that anyone coming to Cairns should spend at least one night here, especially if you're planning on heading to one of the Great Barrier Reef islands anyway!

That concludes this quick but useful accommodation guide for the Fitzroy Island Resort near Cairns. While you're here, be sure to check out some of my other Far North Queensland travel and adventure articles, like my list of the best things to do in Cairns, my Cairns hiking guide or this epic list of waterfalls near Cairns!

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