Island escape of the week: Fitzroy Island

Fitzroy Island. Photo / Supplied

Location: Within the calm sheltered waters of the Great Barrier Reef near Cairns.

Getting there: 45-minute Fast Cat ride from Cairns and back daily, perfect for day trips.

Bragging Rights:

A tropical paradise where visitors can relax or dive into adventure - explore rainforest trails; unwind on a deserted beach; snorkel, dive, sea kayak on the Great Barrier Reef.

Hike to the lighthouse from the camping area; enjoy expansive ocean views and, in winter, maybe a migrating humpback whale.

For 360-degree views of Fitzroy Island, surrounding reef and mainland, take the nearby Summit Track.

Interesting Facts

The island was connected to the mainland more than 10,000 years ago

It's actually the top of a submerged mountain

97 percent of the tropical island is a National Park and freely accessible to Resort Guests and the public via an established network of walking tracks.