CAIRNS ISLANDS
- INDEX
- DESTINATIONS
- YOUR ITINERARY
- ACCOMMODATION
- THINGS TO DO
- TRANSPORT
- TOURS
- ATTRACTIONS
- WEDDING / HONEYMOON
- CAR HIRE
- DINING OUT
- BACKPACKERS
- INTERNET@CAFES
- EQUIPMENT HIRE
- MAPS and INFO
- SAFE TRAVEL
- LINKS
The islands off Cairns are a varied bunch, from the exclusive luxury of Double Island to the uninhabited Frankland Islands, and of course the popular Green Island and Fitzroy Island, and Lizard Island to the north. Let Cairns Unlimited guide you through the features of each island and the range of accommodation options available, and help you find the perfect destination for your tropical island getaway!
USE THE LINKS ON THE RIGHT TO GO DIRECTLY TO THE ISLAND DESTINATION OF YOUR CHOICE, OR SCROLL DOWN TO DISCOVER MORE ABOUT THE VARIED AND BEAUTIFUL TROPICAL ISLANDS OFF THE COAST OF CAIRNS.
GREEN ISLAND
Green Island is the closest to Cairns (just 45 minutes cruising time, or you can get there by helicopter!) and is probably the most popular for people staying in Cairns for a short period. This 15 hectare coral cay boasts spectacular rainforest stretching up to 25 metres high, and lies upon 710 hectares of reef, making it a fantastic diving spot. The crystal clear waters surrounding Green Island offer fabulous snorkelling and scuba diving, and the coral on the eastern and western sides of the island are noticeably different, so it's worth exploring. Green island is also home to over 60 different species of birds, including Egrets, Doves, Ospreys, Sea Eagles, Silvereyes and Woodswallows. There's a pleasant two kilometre circuit track which leads around the island.The island features a low-rise resort, an underwater observatory and a marineland, and is part of a protected Marine Park. Visitors can snorkel or scuba dive among the marine life, or if you don't want to get wet, you can view it from a glass bottom boat or semi-submersible. Showers, change rooms, shops and beach hire equipment are available. The resort also has restaurants, shops and a pool bar.
ACCOMMODATION - GREEN ISLAND
Green Island Resort, located on the southern side of the island, far removed from the day guest facilities, has been acclaimed for its protection of the unique environment, yet the accommodation is luxurious with all the modern facilities. Ten split level 'Reef Suites' and 36 'Island Suites' -with an occupancy of up to two adults and two children- provide accommodation for 90 people and are of low set style of construction carefully positioned amongst the lush vegetation of the island.Guests can participate in the free guided rainforest walks, and make use of the resort's windsurfers, surf skis, canoes, and snorkelling equipment. Optionally, you can pay for scuba diving (introductory or certified), outer reef tours, parasailing, and scenic flights by either seaplane or helicopter
DINING - GREEN ISLAND
There are no other restaurants in the island apart from those you can find in the resort.
EMERALD RESTAURANT
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CORAL CAY LOUNGE
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GETTING TO GREEN ISLAND
CAIRNS SEAPLANES
Shop 2/21 Sheridan Street, Cairns
Phone (07) 4031 4307 / Fax (07) 4041 2540
www.cairnsseaplanes.com
Truly admire the Great Barrier Reef and Cairns!
Cairns Seaplanes have been conducting scenic flights for the past 15 years. Specialising in scenic tours of the Great Barrier Reef by air, the wonders of the World Heritage listed Great Barrier Reef Marine Park are so much more incredible flying over the reef in one of their comfortable and safe seaplanes.
Cairns Seaplanes offers flights to island and cay destinations as well as reef scenic flights for spectacular views you will always remember. At an altitude of 500 feet enjoy the view of reefs, islands and coral cay's as well as marine life – whales, manta rays, schools of tuna and turtles being a regular treat. This magnificent 45 minute flight will provide you with memories lasting a lifetime. With only a small number of guests on each flight, you will enjoy personal attention from Cairns Seaplane's crew of experienced and safe pilots, who will make sure your scenic flight will be luxury personified.
FITZROY ISLAND
Fitzroy Island is one of the most unspoilt islands on the Great Barrier Reef and hasn't changed much since being named by Captain Cook during his voyage of discovery back in 1770. Just 28 kilometres off the coast of Cairns, it's a popular spot for day trippers from Cairns, as well as overnight guests. Daily fast catamaran services take about 45 minutes from Cairns, and it's only another 45 minutes to the Outer Barrier Reef. Fitzroy Island National Park is a 340 hectare mountainous rainforest oasis surrounded by fringing reef formations. The population of the island is approximately 12, and they are all employees and residents at the island's resort.Fitzroy boasts pristine white sandy beaches, and snorkelling and scuba diving are magnificent off the shore. Snorkelling equipment, paddle skis, catamarans, fishing rods, and sea kayaks can be hired on the island. If you would prefer a guided tour, then you can join a small boat trip which departs from the resort. There are also some good walking tracks which offer spectacular views across the island and the crystal clear sea, and the island is abundant in birdlife.
ACCOMMODATION - FITZROY ISLAND
Accommodation is available on the island's resort, ranging from cosy bunkhouse style to private beachside cabins. The resort has a shop, a swimming pool, pool room and guest laundry. In three blocks of 32 rooms, the Bunkhouses are located just 30 metres from the beach, set under a canopy of shady palm trees and cooled by sea breezes and ceiling fans. The Bunkhouses consist of hostel type rooms that sleep four people. There are four beach bunkhouses that have a double bed. Each room also has lockable storage space and access to a communal freshwater bathroom/shower.The private beach cabins have garden views through to Welcome Bay, and have two rooms; the main bedroom with a Queen size bed and the second room with a bunk bed. Each of the eight separate cabins have private ensuites. The cabins also have television, tea and coffee making facilities and shaded verandahs which make the cabins an ideal family option.
DINING - FITZROY ISLAND
There are no other restaurants apart from those in the island's resort.
FLARE GRILL
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RAGING THUNDER BEACH BAR RESTAURANT
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GETTING TO FITZROY ISLAND
DOUBLE ISLAND
Double Island Resort is on a private tropical island, situated 20 kilometres north of Cairns International Airport. It is a ten minute boat ride from the shores of Palm Cove. Double Island is a retreat available for the exclusive use by only one party of up to fifty guests at a time; a genuine 5 star alternative to larger, more commercial, resorts and is only available for rental on a 'whole-of-island' basis. The retreat provides complete guest privacy and a wide variety of activities, extensive facilities and exclusive use of the entire island.The resort offer a 25 metre resort pool, outdoor spa, library, computer and Internet access, indoor cinema with 52-inch plasma screen and surround sound system, outdoor cinema, located adjacent to the beach, (Double Island will provide DVDs, or guests may provide their own, and both cinemas support DVDs from all zones), games room (including pool and table tennis tables and computer games), beachside gymnasium, two Hobie catamarans, two Jet skis (available for 16 year olds and above), windsurfers, canoes and kayaks, motorised dinghies (one requires a Queensland boat license holder, the other is skippered by a licensed Double Island staff member)
ACCOMMODATION - DOUBLE ISLAND
From the private apartments to the Hideaway Honeymoon suite, Double Island's five star resort offers privacy, luxury and tropical paradise opulence.There are ten one-bedroom Garden View Rooms each with marble bathroom and private balcony, and ten one-bedroom apartments, each with luxurious open plan lounge and dining area, opulent bathroom, fully-equipped kitchenette, plus either a private plunge pool or outdoor spa. All apartments and Garden View rooms are fully air-conditioned and adjoining apartments and Garden View rooms may be configured to form larger two-bedroom, two-bathroom accommodation.
DINING - DOUBLE ISLAND
Double Island is offered either as a fully catered rental or on a 'bare-island' basis. Bare-island basis allows each customer to choose his or her preferred staff, service level and food, beverages and activities in the most cost effective manner, without margin to Double Island.Double Island provides a range of facilities for use by external caterers, such as a full commercial kitchen, fully equipped bar, and an outdoor barbeque areas for beach or poolside functions.
Restaurants and dining areas include:
The Long Room (designed for open air eating with open sides allowing cool air breezes)
Coral Sea Deck
Beach area
Poolside area
Beach Deck (a large open air deck adjacent to the beach and capable of seating 400)
CONFERENCES AND MEETINGS
Double Island's recreational facilities convert into an idyllic venue for a relaxed business meeting or memorable conference. The lush tropical setting is the perfect location for a special sales conference or senior management workshop and the ultimate destination for an incentive program.The spacious Games Room converts easily into an ideal conference room for up to forty delegates; the indoor cinema accommodates up to twenty for audiovisual presentations, and the library or lush tropical gardens serve as break out areas for smaller groups.
The majestic Long Room restaurant with its high ceiling and open sides offers the perfect venue for a cocktail party, banquet or open air presentation and the outdoor large screen cinema, located adjacent to the beach, makes for amazing twilight presentations.
Special events are transformed into truly memorable occasions on Double Island, with the Island's own management team, and/or your own event organiser, developing a unique program to suit any requirement. Professional food and beverage catering facilities ensure the highest hospitality standards are met and a variety of colourful local and international entertainment is available to suit every instance. Theming, staging, lighting and audiovisual services can all be introduced to create a definitive Double Island experience.
WEDDING AND HONEYMOON
Double Island is unarguably one of the most romantic and exclusive wedding locations in Australia.Imagine, a beautiful beach ceremony, followed by a banquet on the waterside deck with views of Palm Cove and the stunning mainland coastal ranges, and the tranquil sound of the Coral Sea gently lapping against the beach.
Wedding receptions at Double Island include your overnight accommodation in either the Roundhouse honeymoon suite or a stunning apartment with heated private plunge pool. If you would like selected guests to stay over and celebrate your first day as newlyweds, five star accommodation is available for up to 50 guests (twin share basis) for no additional charge.
Situated in Tropical North Queensland, just ten minutes from Palm Cove, Double Island is only available on a whole-of-island basis, which guarantees you and your wedding guests have exclusive use of the island and all its facilities. Double Island can cater for receptions of up to 400 guests on the open-air waterside deck or 85 guests in the majestic Long Room restaurant. Double Island - the perfect choice for your perfect day.
For more information about weddings and honeymoons, please visit our WEDDINGS page.
HAYCOCK ISLAND
Haycock Island can be seen from Palm Cove, next to Double Island. Haycock Island is commonly known as 'Scout Hat Island' because its silhouette resembles a huge scout hat. In stark contrast to the exclusive luxury of Double Island, Haycock Island is deserted and is covered with rough terrain.The island is a good place for fishing thanks to the tides that have created a very deep hole, forming a favourite fishing ground.
FRANKLAND ISLANDS
The Frankland Islands are a group of five stunning but uninhabited and undeveloped 'continental islands' just off the coast of Cairns. Made up of High, Normanby, Mabel, Round and Russell islands, the Franklands are renowned for their beutiful beaches and superb snorkelling. Popular day trips from Cairns would usually have visitors spending most of their time on Normanby Island, which is part continental and part coral cay, affording a great variety of experiences for divers and snorkellers. The best snorkelling is on the northern and south-western sides of Normanby Reef and on the northern and western edges of Russell Island. Keen divers would venture to Round Island. The waters here are home to green sea turtles, tropical fish and giant clams. Island walks will take you through rainforests, rock pools and along secluded sandy beaches.Due to nesting seabirds, access to the Normanby Island sand spit is restricted during the period 1 September to 31 March.
ACCOMMODATION - FRANKLAND ISLANDS
There is no overnight accommodation on the Frankland Islands, but for those wanting to explore further, recreational camping is allowed by permit on Russell Island and High Island. For more information on camping in the Frankland Group National Park, and other Tropical North Queensland National Parks, please visit our NATIONAL PARKS page.GETTING TO FRANKLAND ISLAND
There is only one company that offer one day trips to the Frankland Islands (remember that there is no overnight accommodation, so you don't want any company to take you there and leave without you). For more information about this and other tours, please visit our TOURS section.LIZARD ISLAND
PLEASE NOTE: LIZARD ISLAND IS OFF THE COAST OF COOKTOWN, 260 km NORTH OF CAIRNS. CHILDREN UNDER 12 YEARS ARE NOT CATERED FOR, AND THERE ARE NO DAY TRIPPERS. CLICK HERE TO VISIT LIZARD ISLAND.
