Why Come to Green Island?
Ocean Free — Our service makes the difference!
Think of its beginnings!
Croc in captivity
Resident Heron
Green Island Jetty
Juvenile Bat FishGreen Island is a tropical paradise with very humble beginnings! Imagine sediment (dead reef plant and animals broken down by physical and natural processes) deposited due to wave action into a unstable sand bank. Over time this bank eventually rose above high tide forming a coral cay. Birds flew over or rested on the cay leaving their droppings full of seeds. The seeds germinated (initially low creepers and grasses stabilised the cay) and later, once the soil was enriched by decaying organic matter, trees appeared attracting more birds and droppings and well life continued as you can imagine! So there you have a humble unstable little sand bank evolving over about 6,000 years into a stunning green tropical paradise known as Green Island – now not only attracting more sea life but also human visitors!
Where did Green Island get its name?
Now we know that you are probably assuming the island got its name because it is green but no! Captain Cook was the first European to sight the island during his journey up the east coast in 1770 and decided to name Green Island after Charles Green, his chief observer and astronomer-in-charge on the Endeavour.
What is the connection to the Aborigines?
Green Island was also well known to the local Aborigines. The Gungganyji people claimed the island was haunted by spirits but still brought their young men to the island for initiation.
What is the modern Green Island?
Due to its popularity a resort eventuated (obviously keeping in line with strict environmental policies) on 1/3 of the island leaving the rest of the island with vegetation and of course white tropical sand. When visiting boardwalks enable you to walk across the island through the vegetation with a “informative trail” to answer your questions (well some of them at least!). You can also walk around the whole island (but do check the tides) and look for turtles, blue spotted stingrays and lots of schools of fish and many interesting shells and little critters. Watch the many seabirds dive into the crystal clear water catching the plentiful fish.
Crocodiles and Turtles
If you are interested in crocodiles you can visit Marineland Melanesia – a small locally owned family business which is very popular. It not only has a croc feed (which fits in with Ocean Free’s schedule) but you can view Green Turtles, Hawk Billed Turtles and other coral life up close! It also has artefacts from around the region which the family have collected over the years.