Green Island National Park

Infobox_protected_area_of_Australia | name = Green Island National Park
iucn_category = II

---

caption =
locator_x = 225
locator_y = 43
nearest_town_or_city = Cairns
coordinates = coord|16|45|47|S|145|58|11|E|type:landmark_region:AU
area = 12ha
established = 1937
visitation_num =
visitation_year =
managing_authorities = Queensland Parks and Wildlife Service
official_site = [http://www.epa.qld.gov.au/projects/park/index.cgi?parkid=208 Green Island National Park]

Green Island National Park [ [http://www.nrw.qld.gov.au/property/placenames/detail.php?id=14741 Queensland Government Placenames] ] is a protected area declared over a small (12 ha) coral cay known to the local Gungganyji Aboriginal peoples as "Dabuukji".

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. [http://www.epa.qld.gov.au/parks_and_forests/find_a_park_or_forest/green_island_national_park/ Queensland National Parks and Wildlife Service Webpage] Accessed20November 2007]

Park Features

This 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.

Green Island has been a popular tourist resort for more than a century. The island became a national park in 1937, 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..

External links

* [http://www.epa.qld.gov.au/parks_and_forests/find_a_park_or_forest/green_island_national_park/ Queensland Parks and Wildlife Service Webpage] Accessed 20 November 2007.
* [http://www.green-island.com.au/ Green Island] Green Island History, Information and Activities.
* [http://www.oceanfree.com.au/ Green Island Day Trips] Ocean Free, a charter company sailing to Green Island daily.
* [http://www.greenislandresort.com.au/ Green Island Resort] website.
* [http://www.australianexplorer.com/green_island.htm Australian Explorer] Green Island page, a brief outline and some photographs.
* [http://www.walkabout.com.au/locations/QLDGreenIsland.shtml Walkabout Australian travel guide:] A brief history and "things to see" on Green Island.
* [http://www.queenslandholidays.com.au/tropical_north_queensland/green_island.cfm Queensland Holidays: Green Island]

See also

* Protected areas of Queensland (Australia)
* Green Island ("Dabuukji")

References