Fitzroy Island is the epitome of paradise. Located in Far North Queensland, just off the coast of Cairns, it is surrounded by the World Heritage Listed Great Barrier Reef and is covered in lush tropical rainforest.
Whether you are a professional photographer or an enthusiastic amateur, the Island provides endless opportunities to capture the beauty of this breathtaking environment. Below we have shared with you some of the best photography locations on Fitzroy Island.
Nudey Beach
Nudey Beach is a spectacular white coral beach that was ranked number 2 in Australia’s 101 Best Beaches Awards of 2017. It is just a short walk from the jetty at Welcome Bay and would have to be one of the top photo locations on the Island.
On the beach, you will be greeted by stunning views of the Cairns Hinterland and pristine, white sand that slopes gently into the warm, blue tropical waters of the Coral Sea. Behind you, the beach is surrounded by large granite boulders and tropical rainforest that will make you feel as if you’ve slipped into an ancient world, where the hustle and bustle of the mainland is a million miles away.
Walking Tracks
Fitzroy Island is 97% National Park and has a number of walking tracks covering the Island.
The Secret Garden Walk: This walk takes about 45 minutes to complete and is a simple track that winds its way through the intertwining flora of Fitzroy Island’s lush jungle. It is a peaceful walk that allows people the opportunity to immerse themselves in nature and capture some photos of the unique wildlife on the Island, including Orange-Footed Scrub Hens, Rose-Crested Fruit Doves, Bar-Sided Skinks and the colourful Green Triangle Butterflies.
The Lighthouse Walk: The Lighthouse Walk is a 3.6km return trip, up a steep concrete road that starts at the north eastern point of the Island at Welcome Bay. There are many great viewing platforms along the way and the breathtaking views from the top are well worth the walk. When the ranger is on duty, you can enjoy 360 degree views of Fitzroy Island and the stunning Coral Sea. In winter, you may even be lucky enough to spot a migrating humpback whale.
Nudey Beach Walk: The track to Nudey Beach is famous for its sharp contrasting beauty – from the plush vivid greens of the rainforest, to the giant granite boulders, and the stunning blue waters beyond. As you walk the beautiful track, be sure to cast your eyes into the wilderness for some of the more distinctive rainforest inhabitants. These include the unmistakable Cluster Figs alongside the intriguing White Starfish Orchids and vivacious Bird Nest epiphytes. If you keep a sharp eye on the ground, you may be lucky enough to see an echidna shuffling slowly along the path, as well as some other charismatic jungle creatures.
Great Barrier Reef
One of the main reasons most people head over to Fitzroy Island for is to explore the Great Barrier Reef. The Island offers a number of ways to capture the beauty of the reef and its magical sea life:
Diving and Snorkelling: Whether you choose to dive or snorkel, you can access the reef directly from the beaches on the Island, where you can get up close and personal with the ancient coral and some amazing sea creatures. For example, the majestic sea turtles, manta rays and the lovable clown fish. You can hire all the gear you need from the Fitzroy Island Sports Hub, and you can even take part in scuba lessons and tours!
Sea Kayaking: Sea kayaking is a great way to see the reef, as it allows you to explore and photograph beaches and reefs that can’t be accessed by foot or boat. You can choose to go on a 3-hour guided tour that is led by an experienced and informative guide; or, if you prefer to take things at your own pace, sea kayaks can be hired from the Fitzroy Island Sports Hub located in the resort.
Glass Bottom Boat: For a completely different perspective, you can discover the waters surrounding Fitzroy Island via a Glass Bottom Boat Tour. The tours depart twice a day around the sheltered waters of the Island, where you can capture the amazing coral and marine life from the safety of the glass bottom boat. This is perfect for people who want to stay dry or families with small children who still want to take advantage of this unique photo opportunity.
Sunset At Foxy’s Bar
When it comes to sunset photos, you’ll be spoilt for options on Fitzroy Island, but combining the beautiful sunset with an afternoon cocktail is hard to resist. Foxy’s Bar is a large Pacific Islands bar with a 70s structural theme, situated right on the beachfront. It has plenty of inside and outside seating, a dance floor, pool tables and is the go-to place at the end of another perfect day, to watch the sun go down behind the Cairns Hinterland.
The locations mentioned above are just a handful of the unique and breathtaking photo opportunities that Fitzroy Island has to offer. After spending even just a short amount of time on the Island, you will discover that there are many other magical moments and places to capture in your photos that you can share with family and friends for years to come.
