Green Island National Park, Coral cay national park in Queensland, Australia.
Green Island National Park is a 12-hectare coral cay blanketed in tropical vine forest, sitting 27 kilometers offshore from Cairns within the Great Barrier Reef marine zone. The island's vegetation and surrounding waters form a complete natural ecosystem in the middle of the ocean.
British Captain James Cook recorded this island in 1770 and named it after Charles Green, his ship's astronomer, during his voyage down Australia's coast. This early European encounter marked a turning point in the island's recorded history.
The Gungganyji Aboriginal people called this place Dabuukji and gathered here for important ceremonies of their community. The island remains deeply connected to this heritage in the hearts of local Aboriginal people today.
Catamaran boats run three times daily from Cairns to reach the island, with trips taking roughly 45 minutes across open water. It helps to book ahead and bring sun protection and water shoes, since the journey can be wet and the island gets busy during peak hours.
More than 60 bird species nest and feed here, many found nowhere else in the region's coral reefs. Green sea turtles and hawksbill turtles regularly visit these shallow waters, making them easy to spot while swimming or snorkeling.
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