Fact Sheets & Video - Cairns

Located 27 kilometres across the Coral Sea from Cairns in Tropical North Queensland, the 6,000-year-old Green Island is a rare coral cay mass on the World Heritage-listed Great Barrier Reef. It is the only coral cay island on the reef with its own rainforest.

At approximately 15 hectares in size, it takes around 45 minutes to explore the entire island with the 46-room Green Island Resort being the only five-star resort in Tropical North Queensland located on a true coral cay.

Widely regarded as one of the most environmentally sensitive tourist developments in the world, Green Island Resort offers a genuinely intimate yet unique eco-friendly experience. Structurally, all resort buildings and infrastructure (e.g. boardwalks) were built with minimal vegetation clearing, in many cases the structures were built around the trees. No building extrudes above the tree canopy, therefore preserving the natural appearance of the island from the water, shoreline and air.

Green Island is proud to be known for many "firsts." It is home to the world's first underwater observatory where guests can see what it is like under the great seas surrounding the island. It was also home to the first movie theatre ever opened on an island. In 1961, the Barrier Reef Theatre opened on the island and featured the film work of Noel and Kitty Monkman, some of the early photographers to venture underwater in the 1930s. The theatre was operational until the early 1990s. In 1948 the introduction of the Glass Bottom Boat replaced the old method of floating glass box to view coral. It also happened to be the launch of the world's first glass bottom boat. Even Queen Elizabeth II visited Green Island during her Royal Australian Tour in 1970.

Today there is an array of activities on offer at Green Island, which can be taken at a leisurely or active pace. For something totally different, Scuba Doo Cairns provides a unique vessel otherwise known as a Breathing Observation Bubble that will take you on an unforgettable personalized underwater adventure/cruise of the Great Barrier Reef, where you are likely to meet some of the most amazing and friendly aquatic animals that inhabit the coral reefs.

Scuba Doo offers 180 degree panoramic view as you cruise at a maximum depth of 4 metres while accompanied by a professional Scuba Doo guide for the duration of this remarkable underwater adventure. And for some adrenalising action above the water, why not try parasailing and enjoy breathtaking views of Green Island and the Great Barrier Reef.

FURTHER INFORMATION

Green Island Parasailing- $120 Adult, $60 Child. For more information call 07 4052 0209

Green Island Resort- Rooms from $495 per night. Includes transfers. For more information visit www.greenislandresort.com.au Prices correct at 14/07/07. Prices include taxes, subject to fluctuation. Conditions apply.

Scuba Doo Cairns- 20 minute Scuba Doo from $130 per person. Riders must be 12 years & over and minimum of 110cm tall. For more information visit www.scubadoocairns.com