03 Jul
Fitzroy Island - The Ultimate Queensland Holiday Destination For Kids
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Fitzroy Island: The Ultimate Queensland Holiday Destination For Kids

If you are looking for some family fun in the sun with your kids (and some relaxation too!), Fitzroy Island is the perfect tropical island holiday destination for your family. Located in Tropical Far North Queensland and an easy 45-minute Fast Cat ride from Cairns marina for families with children, you can’t beat Fitzroy Island for its accessibility, natural beauty (including prime positioning on the world famous Great Barrier Reef) and tropical climate.

Fitzroy Island has a wide array of activities on offer for kids of all ages to enjoy, including snorkelling the Great Barrier Reef straight from the shore, exploring the various rainforest walking/hiking trails, taking a guided tour of the surrounding reef via a glass bottom boat, bouncing around on the giant ocean trampoline, sea kayaking, visiting the Turtle Rehabilitation Centre and stand up paddle boarding.

Snorkelling From The Safety Of The Shore

With the Great Barrier Reef just a stone’s throw from the beautiful shores of Fitzroy Island, the island is the perfect location for kids to enjoy snorkelling, particularly if they are afraid of deep water (i.e. exposure to deep water is often experienced on excursions to the outer reef) or don’t feel particularly confident in the water.

Having the safety of the shore just metres away if they feel any discomfort is the perfect way for them to build up their confidence as they explore the breathtaking beauty of the Great Barrier Reef. They might have the opportunity to spot a majestic sea turtle or perhaps even Nemo (clown fish), all the while exploring the stunning coral reef below. All gear is available for hire from the Fitzroy Island Sports Hub.

Snorkelling-Fitzroy-Island-Shore

Walking Trails

Fitzroy Island is comprised almost entirely of National Park rainforest vegetation (97% to be exact). As a result, the island boasts a number of scenic walking trails as well as hikes through lush tropical rainforest. From easy 5-minute walking tracks suitable for exploring with younger children, through to longer 30-minute walks and all the way up to 3-hour hikes for older (and suitably fit) kids, the island’s numerous walking trails are a fantastic opportunity for your family to explore the island together and admire the diverse wildlife that call Fitzroy Island home.

Glass Bottom Boat Tours

Perfect for families with young kids too small or lacking the confidence to snorkel comfortably, a ride on a Glass Bottom Boat Tour is a great way to witness the exquisite beauty of the Great Barrier Reef from the comfort and safety of the island’s glass bottom boat. Departing twice daily, enjoy exploring the sheltered waters that surround Fitzroy Island with your kids and have the opportunity together to spot different corals, majestic sea turtles and an array of different fish that frequent the island’s waters.

Fitzroy Island Glass Bottom Boat Tour

Giant Ocean Trampoline

Located 25m off shore (and tons of fun for little and big kids alike!), the Giant Ocean Trampoline is a major hit with kids who visit Fitzroy Island and is often the very first thing they want to check out following your arrival at the island! A great way to meet other kids holidaying on or visiting the island, the Giant Ocean Trampoline is a great opportunity for you to kick your feet up on the beach for some rest while the kids have a blast bouncing around!

Sea Kayaking and Stand Up Paddle Boarding

Sea kayaks (single and double) and stand up paddle boards each featuring glass viewing portals to enjoy the beauty of the Great Barrier Reef below can be hired from the island’s Activities Centre. Sea kayaking and stand up paddle boarding are awesome fun, a fantastic way to sneak in some incidental exercise and are a great way to have a laugh with your kids (SUP’ing in particular can take a little while for you to get your balance!) while soaking up the beauty of the reef and marine life below you.

Fitzroy Island also have 3-hour guided kayaking tours on offer if you are looking for something a little more adventurous to do as a family* and are wishing to explore locations around the island that cannot be accessed either by foot or by boat (*age restrictions apply).

Fitzroy Island Sea Kayaking Adventure Day Tour

Turtle Rehabilitation Centre

Located on Fitzroy Island is the Cairns Turtle Rehabilitation Centre, a non-profit organisation which is run by volunteers who are passionate and dedicated to rehabilitation for sick and/or injured turtles with the intention of releasing them back into the ocean following recovery.

From 1pm each day, you and your kids have the opportunity to join a fun and educational 45-minute tour of the centre, whereby you will see the turtles up close and personal and have the chance to see first-hand the work that is carried out at the centre while also learning about the importance of conserving the Great Barrier Reef and protecting all species of marine turtles home to the region.

Turtle Rehabilitation Centre

Don’t forget the awesome Fitzroy Island Resort facilities too! Kids can enjoy swimming in the resort pool as well as playing in the island’s games and playrooms. And when they’re all tuckered out but still wanting to enjoy an activity, they can always pay a visit to the island’s movie theatre.

With accommodation options to suit all tastes and budgets including campsites through to luxurious ocean view suites, we look forward to welcoming you and your family to Fitzroy Island for your next Queensland family vacation!

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