Green Island History

Green Island’s History

Indigenous Heritage: Green Island, known as “Wunyami” to the Gungandji people, has been a place of cultural and spiritual significance for thousands of years, used for fishing, hunting, and traditional ceremonies.
European Discovery: Captain James Cook first saw the island in 1770 during his voyage along Australia’s east coast. Charles Green, a British astronomer on Cook’s expedition, lent his name to the island.
Scientific Interest: In the late 19th century, Green Island attracted scientists and naturalists fascinated by its unique coral cay ecosystem, establishing its recognition as an essential site for marine research.
National Park Status: Green Island was declared a national park in 1937, protecting its rainforest, coral reefs, and diverse marine life.
Pioneering Tourism: Green Island became one of the first Great Barrier Reef destinations to offer tourism experiences, including introducing the world’s first glass-bottom boat tours in the 1950s, making the reef accessible to all.
Green Island Resort: The Green Island Resort opened in 1974, offering visitors a new level of comfort. It offers eco-friendly stays with stunning beachfront views and easy access to the reef.
Ongoing Conservation: Green Island continues to be a leading ecotourism destination today. Ongoing conservation efforts and sustainable tourism initiatives to protect its delicate environment for future visitors.

🌴 Green Island History

A living reef with a rich story to tell.
Green Island isn’t just a tropical paradise – it has deep cultural roots and a fascinating past. From ancient Indigenous traditions to modern-day Reef tourism, this island has seen it all.

Key Facts at a Glance:

Green Island is known as Wunyami to the Gunggandji people, its Traditional Owners.
It is over 6,000 years old, formed by sand and coral rubble accumulating on a reef platform.
Captain James Cook first recorded Green Island in 1770.
Declared a National Park in 1937 and a Marine Park in 1974.
The island’s resort and tourism legacy dates back to the 1930s.
Green Island is home to the oldest underwater observatory in Australia.
A protected site of cultural, ecological, and historical significance.

🌀 A Sacred Place for the Gunggandji People

The Gunggandji people of Yarrabah have long known Green Island as Wunyami. For thousands of years, they visited this low-lying coral cay during sea journeys, using it as a place to rest and reconnect with Country. Wunyami holds deep cultural and spiritual meaning, featuring in Dreamtime stories that weave together the land, sea, and sky. Today, the Gunggandji people continue to honour their connection to the island and play an important role in preserving its cultural heritage.

The Gunggandji people continue to maintain a strong connection to Green Island, working alongside tourism operators and park managers to protect its natural and cultural values.

🌊 First European Sighting

Captain James Cook spotted Green Island during his first voyage along the east coast of Australia in June 1770. Although he chose not to land, he recorded the island in his ship’s log. Cook’s crew later named the island in honour of Lieutenant Charles Green, the expedition’s astronomer. Over the following century, beche-de-mer fishermen and pearling crews regularly stopped at Green Island, using it as a base to access the rich waters of the surrounding reef.

Tourism Takes Root

In the early 1900s, people began to see Green Island not just as a fishing outpost, but as a beautiful destination. By the 1930s, regular ferry services were running from Cairns, and a simple guesthouse welcomed visitors looking to escape to paradise. A few years later, the island became a protected National Park – one of Queensland’s first.

The Green Island underwater observatory, built in 1954, made history as the first of its kind in Australia. It allowed visitors to view the reef without getting wet—a major innovation at the time!

A Legacy of Protection and Partnership

Today, Green Island is a UNESCO World Heritage-listed site, part of the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park. Conservation and tourism go hand-in-hand here. Rangers work tirelessly to protect the fragile ecosystem while guests enjoy one of the most accessible coral cays on the Reef.

The island’s resort has welcomed guests worldwide, including royalty, celebrities, and conservationists, drawn by its natural beauty and fascinating heritage.

Green Island Frequently Asked Questions and Answers

What is the Indigenous history of Green Island?

Green Island, known as “Wunyami” to the traditional owners, the Gungandji people, has been an important cultural site for thousands of years. Traditionally used for hunting, fishing, and ceremonial purposes, its surrounding waters provide a rich food source. The island continues to hold spiritual significance for the Indigenous community today.

How did Green Island get its name?

Green Island was named in 1770 by Captain James Cook, who charted the area during his voyage along Australia’s east coast. He called it after Charles Green, an astronomer aboard his ship, the HMS Endeavour, who played a key role in navigation and celestial observations during the expedition.

When did Green Island become a tourist destination?

Green Island started attracting tourists in the early 20th century, but it wasn’t until the 1950s that tourism began with the introduction of the world’s first glass-bottom boat tours. Tours that allowed visitors to experience the reef’s beauty without getting wet, making it one of the first Great Barrier Reef destinations to offer eco-tourism experiences.

When was Green Island declared a national park?

In 1937, Green Island has officially declared a national park for its unique coral cay ecosystem. This protected status helps preserve the island’s rich biodiversity and ensures that future generations can continue to enjoy its natural beauty.

What makes Green Island historically significant?

Green Island is historically significant for its unique natural and cultural heritage blend. It is one of the only coral cays on the Great Barrier Reef with a rainforest. It has a deep connection to Indigenous culture, and it played a pioneering role in reef tourism with innovations such as glass-bottom boats and early ecotourism initiatives.

Planning Your Visit

Want to explore history, culture, and reef life all in one place? Green Island is just a 45-minute ferry ride from Cairns, and the story it tells is thousands of years in the making. Walk the interpretive boardwalk, snorkel over living coral gardens, and take time to learn about the island’s Indigenous and natural history.

🧭 Ready to discover Green Island’s incredible story?
Explore our Green Island Tours or plan your day trip from Cairns and step into the past on a reef island that continues to inspire.