Green Island National Park Tropical North Queensland

Discover fascinating native plants and birds along Green Island's boardwalk. Photo credit: © Great Adventures

A small rainforest-clad coral cay, Green Island is one of the most popular destinations on the Great Barrier Reef. Photo credit: © Big Cat Green Island Reef Cruises

The Boardwalk

Explore lush tropical rainforest growing in sand on a tiny coral cay and discover the island's fascinating history along the way.

Journey type
Walk
Distance
1.3km return Start and finish points are the same and the traveller must return via the same path
Time suggested
Allow 50min walking time.
Grade
Easy (walk)

Accessible by

  • Boat

Journey facilities

  • Lookout (constructed)
  • Wheelchair access (may require assistance)
  • Walking

Leave the glare of the beach and the bustle of the resort behind and enjoy a leisurely stroll through cool rainforest in the heart of the island. Look and listen for the many different birds that live here—its hard to miss buff-banded rails dashing across the path, emerald doves rustling through the leaf litter and tiny silvereyes darting about the canopy. During summer months the forest canopy is alive with the soft calls of pied imperial-pigeons taking advantage of the forest fruiting season.

Take time to read the signs to learn about the island’s colourful history and find out why this place is so special to the Traditional Owners, the Gunggandji people.

Green Island is part of the Great Barrier Reef World Heritage Area, famed for its superlative natural beauty, outstanding examples of reef ecosystem development, evolutionary history and amazing diversity.

Getting there and getting around

The Boardwalk is in Green Island National Park and Recreation Area, 27km offshore from Cairns in the Great Barrier Reef.

  • The Boardwalk extends from the resort through the rainforested centre of the island to the beach on the southern side.
  • The island can be reached by ferry or private boat, and is one of the most accessible islands on the Great Barrier Reef.
  • Commercial helicopter services also fly to and from the island.

Ferry

Most visitors travel to Green Island via regular ferry services, which depart from the Reef Fleet Terminal in Spence Street, Cairns.Travel time to the island is about 50mins.

  • For tourism information for all regions in Queensland, see Queensland.com, and for friendly advice on how to get there, where to stay and what to do, find your closest accredited visitor information centre.

Private vessels

Green Island has safe anchorage and public moorings for private vessels.

Wheelchair access

Drinking water

  • Treated water is available on tap in the amenities block in the day-use area.
  • You can purchase bottled drinking water from the resort.

Before you visit

Opening hours

The Boardwalk is open 24 hours a day.

Check park alerts for the latest information on access, closures and conditions.

Visiting safely

For more safety information see Visiting Green Island safely and Walk with care.

  • There are currently no park alerts for this park.

View all park alerts