Fitzroy Island is one of 600 "Continental" or "High" islands on the Great Barrier Reef. As Fitzroy Island used to be part of the mainland, the rocks are the same as on the mainland (granite). The reef surrounding Fitzroy Island is a "Fringing Reef". Fitzroy Island is located on the Inner Barrier of the Central Region of the Great Barrier Reef. It is part of the Great Barrier Reef World Heritage Area. Fitzroy Island is actually part of the coastal mountain range of Malbon Thompson Mountain Range located behind Cairns (including Bellenden Ker, Mount Bartle Frere and Walshes Pyramid), approximately 10,000 years ago, Fitzroy Island was connected to the mainland. When the Ice Age ended (approx. 8,000 years ago) the ice caps melted and the ocean rose an estimated 100m, and the valley between Fitzroy and the other mountain peaks flooded. This left it an isolated island.   The island you are visiting is actually the top of a submerged mountain. Most of the island's water comes from a natural freshwater spring originating in the Tablelands near Mareeba, and surfacing in the National Park bush behind the main complex. Fitzroy Island is located approx. 35 kilometres (18 nautical miles) south east of Cairns.  MORE RESORT  INFORMATION AND RATES