Green Island National Park

For the coral cay, see Green Island (Queensland).
Green Island National Park
Queensland
IUCN category II (national park)
Green Island National Park
Nearest town or city Cairns
Coordinates 16°45′35″S 145°58′28″E / 16.75972°S 145.97444°E / -16.75972; 145.97444Coordinates: 16°45′35″S 145°58′28″E / 16.75972°S 145.97444°E / -16.75972; 145.97444
Established 1937
Area 12 ha (30 acres)
Managing authorities Queensland Parks and Wildlife Service
Website [<span%20class="url">.qld.gov.au/parks/green-island/index.html Green Island National Park]
See also Protected areas of Queensland

Green Island National Park[1] is a protected area declared over a small (12 ha) coral cay known to the local Gungganyji Aboriginal peoples as Dabuukji. The Gungganyji people used the island as an initiation ground.[2]

It is 27 km offshore from Cairns (1394 km northwest of Brisbane), Queensland, can be accessed by a choice of boats leaving daily from Cairns, and is reputed to be the most visited (popular) island National Park within the Great Barrier Reef World Heritage Area.[3]

Park features

Green Island is a true coral cay formed over thousands of years by the build-up of sand and coral rubble deposited on the calm side of a platform reef. The island is covered in tropical vine forest which supports a diversity of birds and insects. The surrounding coral reef is home to many kinds of corals, clams, fish, stingrays and other reef life. Green and hawksbill turtles are seen offshore.[3] More than 60 species of bird are found on the island.[2]

Green Island has been a popular tourist resort for more than a century. The island became a national park in 1937,[2] a marine park in 1974 and part of the Great Barrier Reef World Heritage Area in 1981. Today the island, reef and beaches are managed together as a recreation area.[3]

Camping on the island is not permitted. A small luxury resort is built on the island with daily ferry services providing access.

See also

References

  1. ↑ Queensland Government Placenames
  2. 1 2 3 Explore Queensland's National Parks. Prahran, Victoria: Explore Australia Publishing. 2008. p. 22. ISBN 978-1-74117-245-4.
  3. 1 2 3 Queensland National Parks and Wildlife Service Webpage Accessed 20 November 2007
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