Fitzroy Island is the ultimate tropical island getaway. It is located just off Cairns in Far North Queensland and is surrounded by the breathtaking Great Barrier Reef. Whether you want to spend your time relaxing on the beach and by the pool, or are looking for some excitement and adventure, Fitzroy Island has something for everyone.
This may sound like every adult’s dream destination, however, if you are travelling with kids, one of the first considerations when choosing where to go on holidays or even for a family day trip, is will it be suitable for the kids?
The last thing you want to hear the whole time you’re away is “I’m bored” or “There’s nothing to do here”. The whole idea of a family trip is for everyone to enjoy their time together. So this leaves us with the question, “Is Fitzroy Island good for kids”?
Well, you’ll be happy to know that Fitzroy Island is the perfect holiday destination for the whole family with more than enough things to do and see to keep the kids entertained, including:
- Snorkelling
- Glass Bottom Boat Tour
- Turtle Rehabilitation Centre
- Giant Ocean Trampoline
- Sea Kayaking and Stand Up Paddle Boards
- Walking Trails
Snorkelling
Fitzroy Island is the perfect place for kids to explore the Great Barrier Reef. It can be quite daunting for kids to go snorkelling for the first time, especially if it involves snorkelling in deep water straight off the back of a boat. One of the benefits of Fitzroy Island is that the reef can be accessed directly from the beach.
Your kids can take their time to get comfortable snorkelling, with the reassurance that the safety of the shore is just within their reach. Once they have gained their confidence, they don’t have to venture too far out to experience the breathtaking beauty of the coral and sea animals just below the surface.
Glass Bottom Boat Tours
Another great way for the whole family to take in the magic of the reef is on a Glass Bottom Boat Tour. This is especially ideal for families with very young children or kids who are not yet confident enough to go snorkelling, as it allows you to witness the beauty of the reef from the safety of the boat.
Glass Bottom Boat Tours depart twice a day around the sheltered waters of Fitzroy Island, where you’ll have the opportunity to see soft coral and marine life including wild sea turtles, which is always a highlight with the kids.
Turtle Rehabilitation Centre
Fitzroy Island is also lucky enough to be home to the Cairns Turtle Rehabilitation Centre – a volunteer operated, non-profit organisation dedicated to the rehabilitation of sick and injured turtles.
The Centre runs 45-minute tours from 1pm each day, that allow people to learn not only about the history of the organisation, but also the journey to recovery that injured or sick turtles undergo whilst at the Centre, prior to their release back into the ocean.
This is a great opportunity for the kids to not only get up close and personal with these majestic animals, but also to learn about the importance of protecting sea turtles and conserving the environments they live in.
Sea Kayaking and Stand Up Paddle Boards
Sea Kayaks and Stand Up Paddle (SUP) Boards can be hired on the island from the Fitzroy Island Sports Hub, and are great fun for the whole family. You can choose from both single and double sea kayaks, which are perfect for younger kids who don’t feel confident going out on their own. Fitzroy Island also runs Guided Sea Kayaking Tours that the whole family can enjoy together.
The older or more adventurous kids may even like to give the SUP boards a try. It can be a bit tricky at first to find your balance on the board but is a whole lot of fun. These boards are also a great way to get to and from the Giant Ocean Trampoline.
Giant Ocean Trampoline
The Giant Ocean Trampoline is located 25 metres off shore and is usually the first thing the kids want to try when they get to Fitzroy Island. It will keep them entertained for hours, leaving you to enjoy some rest and relaxation on the beach.
It’s a great way for the kids to burn off their endless energy and meet other kids on the Island at the same time.
Walking Trails
Fitzroy Island is 97% National Park, covered in lush tropical rainforest and has a number of scenic bushwalking tracks catering for all ages and levels of fitness. There are easy 5-minute walking tracks to explore with younger kids, as well as longer trails ranging from 30-minute walks to 3-hour hikes for the older ones.
These walking tracks are a great way for the whole family to explore the Island and spot some of the Island’s amazing wildlife.
So, as you can see, whether you’re thinking about a long family holiday or just a day trip out with the kids, Fitzroy Island has more than enough to keep the kids happy and entertained. In fact, they’ll have so much fun, that Fitzroy Island could quite likely become your go to family holiday destination for years to come.
