CAIRNS ISLANDS
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!
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.
GETTING TO GREEN ISLAND
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, with 46 dual key apartments with hotel rooms and 1 bedroom apartments and of a penthouse. There is also the beach front bungalows that have been completely reurbished. .
DINING - FITZROY ISLAND There are no other restaurants apart from those in the island's resort.
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.
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 which offers day trips to the Frankland Islands. There is no overnight accommodation.
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.