SUMMIT WALK on FITZROY ISLAND: My Fitzroy Island Summit walk on the 05th of September 2014.

This was my first shot of the wonderful pristine and turquoise waters of Fitzroy, a tropical island paradise and national park after 45 minutes of pleasant cruising on the big cat called Sunlover reef cruises one of Cairns premier barrier reef companies and what a day this is going to be. One can usually tell just by looking at the calmness of the cool clear and beautiful blue water. And judging by these first shots, it is going to be absolutely fine. I am sure of it. And another thing, this island seems to get better and so much more beautiful every year since I have been coming here. North Queensland little slice of paradise and we like it just the way it is.

But first I have some admiring to do with my camera and to just soak in the wonderful tropical Island smell of the rainforest, sun and surf. After about 20 minutes at least I was feeling quite hungry as I hadn't had any breakfast. So I made my way along the beach road and onto a footpath to the Foxy bar for some sandwiches and something to do drink first and to buy a couple of bottles of water for the walk which is the sole reason for me being on the island.

THE FITZROY ISLAND JETTY

And here Sunlover cruises departing Fitzroy Island for Moore reef which is about 1.45 hours away on the Barrier reef. Sunlover Reef Cruises does this stopover every day before heading off to the Barrier reef and I prefer their big catamaran because it cruises along quite nicely and there is so much space it is so comfortable.

This is the famous Foxy's bar. Now if you have never heard of it well now you do. Foxy's bar has been going since for as long as I have been coming here and I have been coming here since 2004. Foxy's bar has been hosting wedding receptions, birthdays, Australia day celebrations, Christmas day and New Years parties for years and the name is synonymous with mainly Cairns locals. I remember coming here one weekend with my Student Uni Travel colleagues in 2004 when Raging Thunder was running transfers to Island for $35 return which they still do but for how much these days I don't know and Foxy's bar was the place to go every weekend. I am also not sure how it is these days but I think the national park trust may have decided that maybe the islands ecosystem is way too delicate for drunkards to be hanging around at odd hours of the night on weekends although there is a wedding and wedding reception taking place here later on in the evening from what I am told.

People can camp on the island as well as you can see tents erected here. This was a school group from Cairns who came here and overnighted and also took part in an excursion to the Turtle rehab centre just down the road so there is something for everyone. I understand anyone can camp here for a fee and you have to book as well.

This here is the Turtle Rehabilitation centre. Turtles found anywhere in North Queensland who have been injured by swallowing plastic bags or other items, battered by boats props and those that get caught in nets are taken here where they are treated and operated on if need be and are nurtured until they get better where they are then released so they can go back to sea where they belong and are able to fend for themselves again. The centre really does a fine job and it's a great initiative since these fantastic animals do not have anyone to care for them if they are injured.

And this ladies and gentlemen is just down the road from the Turtle centre, the very beginning of the climb or the walk to either the summit or the lighthouse as you can see on the sign. I have been to the lighthouse twice over the years but today I am tackling the summit. The last time I came here which was last year 2013 I did not make it up there because it was closed due to falling debris but they say it's safe now so that is where I am heading today.

Now I have been coming here for a while and people say this is a moderate climb and I think so too until you go a bit further up and that is when your calf muscles gets a real work out. But it definitely is a great work out and I do need it but do take your time with it. I have been walking every day though at the wetlands in Cairns and I am glad because I am hoping that might help get me out of any crisis. Just joking folks but you do have to have some awareness about walking this track and your fitness even though it is mild to medium for some people.

Now this area for me is the medium heart pumping section that sets you up for whole journey. This is when your brain says can you do it and your heart replies with a yes I sure can or no I can't be bothered. This is what separates the men from the boys. LOL

The base of the summit and it says 750 metres to summit. I could have sworn it is easily 2,000 metres to the summit because I know it took me at least just over an hour to get up there. That I know my cardiac was given an absolute work out.

And finally after at least an hour and a bit I can see the stairs to summit. Although it feels more like stairways to heaven. There is such a feeling of excitement and achievement even relief that I am finally here. It's been a good slow walk with lots anxious moments about where the end really was. But here it is right ahead.

And yes here I am!

THE SUMMIT

I am here standing on it.

I did it and I am extra proud of my efforts.

QUITE AN ACHIEVEMENT!

It is indeed a fantastic feeling when you can see the all around from way up here. Such a magical kind of a place and it really is a slice of paradise in the North.