Green Island National Park facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Green Island National ParkQueensland |
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IUCN Category II (National Park)
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 Green Island National Park
Location in Queensland
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| Nearest town or city | Cairns |
| Established | 1937 |
| Area | 12 ha (30 acres) |
| Managing authorities | Queensland Parks and Wildlife Service |
| Website | Green Island National Park |
| See also | Protected areas of Queensland |
Green Island National Park is a special protected area in Queensland, Australia. It covers a small coral island called Green Island, which is only about 12 hectares (30 acres) in size. The local Aboriginal people, the Gungganyji, call this island Dabuukji. They used the island as a place for important ceremonies.
Green Island is located about 27 kilometers (17 miles) away from Cairns. You can get there by taking a boat from Cairns, and many boats leave daily. It's known as one of the most popular island national parks within the amazing Great Barrier Reef World Heritage Area.
What is Green Island?
Green Island is a true coral cay. This means it was formed over thousands of years. It grew from sand and pieces of coral that piled up on the calm side of a coral reef. Imagine tiny bits building up over a very long time!
The island is covered in a thick, green tropical vine forest. This forest is home to many different kinds of birds and insects. Around the island, the coral reef is full of life. You can find all sorts of corals, giant clams, colorful fish, stingrays, and many other amazing sea creatures. Sometimes, you might even spot green and hawksbill turtles swimming in the waters offshore. More than 60 types of birds live on the island itself.
How Coral Cays Form
Coral cays like Green Island are unique landforms. They are created when waves and currents carry sand, coral fragments, and shells. These pieces then collect on top of a coral reef, especially in calmer areas. Over a very long time, these piles grow bigger and bigger. Eventually, plants start to grow on them, and a small island forms.
A Look Back in Time
In 1770, a famous explorer named Lieutenant James Cook was exploring the east coast of Australia. He saw Green Island and wrote on his map that it was "a low green woody island." He named it after his ship's astronomer, Charles Green.
Later, in 1857, people started setting up fishing stations on the island. They were fishing for something called beche-de-mer, which is a type of sea cucumber. In 1928, the first regular ferry service began. This made it easier for people to visit the island.
Protecting the Island
Green Island has been a popular place for tourists for over a hundred years. Because it's so special, it has received several important protections:
- In 1937, it became a National Park. This means the land is protected.
- In 1974, it became a Marine Park. This protects the waters and reef around the island.
- In 1981, it became part of the Great Barrier Reef World Heritage Area. This is a huge international recognition of its importance.
Today, the island, its surrounding reef, and the beaches are all managed together. This helps to protect them while still allowing people to visit and enjoy this beautiful place. You can find a small resort on the island, and daily ferries bring visitors. However, camping is not allowed on Green Island.
