Fitzroy Island National Park, National park on Fitzroy Island, Queensland, Australia
Fitzroy Island National Park covers land that rises as granite mountains surrounded by open forests, rainforests, and mangrove wetlands, all ending at coral beaches. The variety means you move between different landscapes and wildlife communities as you explore the island.
James Cook named Fitzroy Island in 1770 while sailing along Australia's coast during his exploration voyage. The area was declared a national park in 1939 and has remained protected since then.
The Gungandji people knew this island as Gabar and lived here for thousands of years, relying on hunting and gathering from the land and sea. Walking through today, you sense the long relationship between the people and the place they called home.
You reach the island by ferry from Cairns, which takes about 45 minutes to cross. Once there, walking trails of different lengths, picnic areas, and facilities are spread across the grounds for you to explore at your own pace.
The island sits as a natural barrier between the mainland and the Great Barrier Reef, supporting both land and ocean ecosystems side by side. This position makes it a rare place where you can see how the two worlds meet and influence each other.
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