One of the ‘bucket list’ things to do when up in Far North Queensland is to experience the Great Barrier Reef up close and personal. There’s perhaps nowhere so spectacular and readily accessible than Green Island, a stunningly beautiful rainforest covered coral cay, 28k’s and just an easy 45min Catamaran jaunt off the coast of Cairns. 

We’ve been living up in Far North Queensland for over a year now and have just never got around to taking the trip, so it took a visit from my brother and his family, travelling from the UK, to take the plunge and head out. We were urged to stay overnight as once the many day trippers leave you have the whole paradise to yourself – and it’s bliss, like being on a true desert island in the middle of the ocean. Just you and countless birds including swirling Frigatebirds, Shearwaters, Black Noddys, Little Egrets, Tropicbirds and thousands of little Buff-banded Rails that dart around. And it’s quiet, just the constant ‘cooing’ that seems to emanate all around you from the Rose-Crowned Fruit Doves and Torres Island Pigeons. 

The impossibly azure crystal-clear waters are jam-packed with iridescent tropical fish such as Angelfish, Surgeonfish, Coral Trout, Fusiliers, Parrotfish and large Wrasse that linger in huge numbers between the jetty pylons – it’s quite the sight, particularly at fish feeding time when the water roils with frenetic activity. 

Green Island is also home to many Sea Turtles which are readily seen from the jetty bobbing amongst the seagrass beds and corals, plus the occasional White (and Black) tipped Reef Sharks that stalk the shallows, scaring the bejesus out of the many snorkellers floating around the island – including my brother who had an up close and uncomfortable encounter which practically sent him walking on water back to shore. 

Green Island has an interesting history, first used by local Gungganji and Yidinji tribes as a fishing ground and a ceremonial site for manhood initiations. Then, in 1770, Captain Cook cruised past on the HMS Endeavour on his passage up the east coast of Australia, but it was only in the mid to late 19^th Century that European colonisation commenced when a Sea Cucumber smoking station was founded. The first guest house was opened in the 1940’s and 1994 saw the opening of the eco-friendly Green Island Resort. To be fair the resort is a little tired around the edges despite numerous renovations over the years, which is understandable given where it is and the elements that it’s exposed to. However, the Green Island Resort does have impressive eco credentials such as a solar and greener power source, a desalination plant for potable water so that rainfall is allowed to fall and replenish the island aquifer; an innovative waste management that turns glass into sand and food waste into fertiliser; the total elimination of all plastic consumables on the island and has held the highest eco certification attainable in Australia for many years. 

If you ever find yourself in Cairns then I highly recommend a visit to glorious Green Island. I know we’ll be back sooner than later.