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Vans can only go so many places – and Green Island in the Great Barrier Reef isn’t one of them! So leave your van in the park for the day and escape to an island paradise

Words by Simone Costi
Photographs by Simone Costi and Tourism Queensland

As my catamaran docked at the jetty, I saw a little sea turtle poke his head above the water and then disappear below the aqua waves. The day ahead of me looked perfect…

Alas! I spoke to soon. Not more than five minutes later, when I’d reached the end of the jetty, I decided that I would not be snorkeling today. Why? A sea snake was swimming about in the shallows. The snake didn’t seem to deter any other island goers though. They flocked to the ocean in droves, armed with fins, snorkels and underwater cameras.

I shouldn’t have let the snake deter me, as snorkeling on the Great Barrier Reef is incredible. I’ve done it a few times before and it was truly memorable, but I didn’t want to try my chances with a snake. Besides, there is a plethora of other things to keep you amused on Green Island.

There are literally hundreds of cruise ships, ferries and catamarans that depart Cairns daily and head out to the Great Barrier Reef. All range in price and inclusions, but I went on the well priced $58 day trip to Green Island.

My ticket ferried me to Green Island and back (about 50 minutes each way) and it included the choice of snorkel hire or a glass bottom boat tour. A guided tour of the island is also included in the ticket.

The first thing I checked out on the island was the Underwater Observatory. It’s below a shop on the jetty and you’ve got to walk down a flight of steep, small steps to get to the viewing area. So if you’ve got bad knees or hips, then this definitely isn’t the activity for you. The observatory is nothing more than a small, stuffy room with portholes to look at the fish and coral. It isn’t that impressive. I’d honestly save the $5 entry fee and wouldn’t bother visiting it.

If you’re not into getting your feet wet, then the best way to see the reef is on a glass bottom boat tour or semi-submersible boat trip. I chose to do the glass bottom boat tour, which was included in my ticket price. And it was brilliant. The captain drives you over the reef, talks about the coral and fish you see. He explains how the reef systems work and the history of the Great Barrier Reef. I also got to see him feed the fish and it was amazing – all sorts of colourful fish jumped out of the water to grab some food pellets. Oh – and in case your kids and grandkids were wondering – I did spot Nemo playing in the coral!

Also on Green Island is Marineland Melanesia, which is quite a fascinating place, with some good aquariums, a sea turtle pool, Melanesian artifacts and history, and of course, the main drawcard – the crocs! There are crocs of all shapes and sizes out there and all of them are pretty scary looking. However, none as terrifying as Cassius, the biggest and oldest (I’m also guessing meanest too) one out there. He is approximately 100 years old and measures 18ft in length! Yes, you heard me correctly, 18 foot – longer than many caravans.

Cassius sat nastily in his swampy green pond, with just his massive head resting on the surface. Despite the fences separating him and I, I didn’t like the way he was eyeing me off – I reckon he was considering if I’d taste any good for lunch!

Entry costs $11.50 and that gives you unlimited access to Marineland Melanesia all day, including the croc show.

There are a thousand other things to do on the island, including snorkeling, swimming, scuba diving, parasailing, a range of other watersports and helicopter tours – however, many of these get quite expensive.

Otherwise, kick back and relax by the pool or on the beach.

As mentioned earlier, my ferry ticket included a guided eco walk around the island. Green Island is actually a coral cay, estimated to be at least 6000 years old! Coral cays develop from a build up of sand, coral and animal deposits. It is home to over 100 plant and fish species, many types of birds and all sorts of coral. As I discovered earlier this morning, sea turtles also like to hang out in the surrounding waters and reefs, as do not-so-cute sea snakes.

Green Island is only one island of the 900 in the Barrier Reef network, which is the largest world heritage area ever declared – it spans approximately 35 million hectares! And within this enormous space live over 400 types of coral and almost 2000 kinds of fish! And then there are all the clams, octopus and jellyfish.

The furthest south the reef inhabits is Bundaberg in Queensland, as that’s where the waters start to get too cold for the tropical fish and coral to live. The reef is believed to be about 18 million years old – but these original reef structures are now the very base of the reef, with newer parts growing on top of it.

Many of the islands and coral cays on the reef are uninhabited, but Green Island has been developed into a resort island, with a hotel as well as facilities for day trippers.

There are a couple of places to eat on Green Island, but they are expensive and are relatively limited. If you want to save money, I’d pack your lunch and have a picnic somewhere nice on the island.

My one complaint of the island is the state of the bathrooms. They were smelly, hot, wet and sandy. I would’ve liked to see a bathroom for swimmers and one for non-swimmers.

Green Island and the Great Barrier Reef is stunning. We are unbelievably lucky to have access to these incredible natural wonders and it is something you should definitely take advantage of. So leave the van behind for a day and escape to an island in The Reef.