Green Island National Park
Green Island National Park Queensland | |
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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°ECoordinates: 16°45′35″S 145°58′28″E / 16.75972°S 145.97444°E |
Established | 1937 |
Area | 12 ha (30 acres) |
Managing authorities | Queensland Parks and Wildlife Service |
Website |
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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
- ↑ Queensland Government Placenames
- 1 2 3 Explore Queensland's National Parks. Prahran, Victoria: Explore Australia Publishing. 2008. p. 22. ISBN 978-1-74117-245-4.
- 1 2 3 Queensland National Parks and Wildlife Service Webpage Accessed 20 November 2007
External links
- Australian Explorer Green Island page, a brief outline and some photographs.
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