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Ask Wikipedia just exactly what it's all about. It's a sandy island on the surface of a coral reef.
Good enough information for us, people who cautiously trust Wikipedia. It would also be possible to say "keys" or "key" but we prefer to say how it looks, "cay".
We were off to Sudbury Cay, but it was suggested that it be a sandy island … this one about two hours sailing out of Cairns.
Aerial of Sudbury Cay, Great Barrier Reef. Tourism Tropical North Qld
I have seen photos of this glorious cay, with a small patch of shimmering white sand floating on the surface of a deep and vivid blue ocean with a circle of pure aqua water surrounding it. It looked like a picture that had been photoshopped. It was far too exquisite to be real.
But there we were, approaching it on a private boat after sailing out of Cairns, past the mangroves, along an estuary where we were told to crocodile basking on the banks (we did not, very pleased).
A small stop at Mission Bay, then Turtle Bay, to the giant rock formations on shore, giant dream-like sculptures, soaring from the embankment, some balancing their own small trainings on their tips … all against a backdrop of the Murray Range Prior mountains, shaded colors of purple and green, infinitely fascinating in their unique Australian beauty. Turtles aplenty here.
Green turtle swimming on the Great Barrier Reef. Tourism Tropical North QLD
Already, the anticipation was high. So much unspoilt beauty, so close to Cairns – green velvet rainforest – vistas so spectacular and natural people would happily travel to the world for just a day.
Then it was on the way to Fitzroy Island, where the rainforest meets the reef, has a very accessible ferry from Cairns by a regular ferry. Marine life, walking trails, modest hotel, water sports … family friendly.
It was a mission, the enchantment of Sudbury and its floating colors just around the corner.
The approach was everything and more than expected. First of all, the pure turquoise of the sandy-bottomed ribbon of water encircling the cay.
Nudey Beach, Fitzroy Island, Cairns. Tourism Tropical North Qld
"Is this real?" Is the first thought. It is a postcard, a calendar, a tourism brochure. the water and no one should resent sharing.
Ten minutes to take off the boat – food, wine, champagne, chairs, umbrellas, fishing rods – and then it was simply a matter of sitting back and marveling.
The water lapping softy at the white sand is Bombay-Gin clear. Warm. Pure. Clean.
You must float in this unique water, look down to darting fish: coral trout, black tip shark reef, long-tails, spangled emperor. No need for a snorkel, in our opinion.
It is pinch-yourself stuff, a disbelief that anything could be so pristine, so simply glorious.
We were on a private boat but they are so small we are told, more backpacker-style sailing, where they must tie up at a public mooring away from the cay have their pbadengers get in and swim to shore. There is also a lot of things to do in the city of Sudbury. "is this real?"
www.annrickard.com
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