Surrounding Islands and Marine Parks

Explore the magnificent coral reef surrounding Green Island, featuring corals, clams, fish, stingrays, and giant turtles. Go ashore to discover the real beauty of this tiny island, strolling along the boardwalks and observing birds and insects in the tropical vine forest. Relax on the beach alongside crystal clear seawater. It just feels like heaven!

Green Island is the most popular and one of the most accessible destinations on the Great Barrier Reef. It was named after British astronomer Charles Green, the chief observer onboard Captain Cook's 'Endeavour' in 1770. Known as 'Wunyami' by the Gungandji Aboriginal people, Green Island is extremely significant to their culture, and was formerly an initiation ground for young men. The Gungandji people maintain a close connection with Green Island, and welcome visitors to discover the island and ask them to take care of their special place

Boardwalks and walkways throughout the National Park and within the resort area are accessible to wheelchairs and strollers.

Cruise to the idyllic and unspoilt coral islands of the Low Isles. In the calm waters of the lagoon, follow turtles and multi-coloured tropical fish such as parrotfish, angelfish and clownfish. Here, 150 different species of hard corals are surprisingly dominated by 15 species of soft corals. Get close and see their tentacles collecting tiny food particles from the sea.

Relax on the wide, palm-fringed sandy beach. Only a limited number of visitors are allowed per day to protect the reef's ecology, so you'll be able to truly experience a pristine site. A lighthouse has operated on the smaller of the Low Isles since 1878. The 18 metre tower was constructed on a timber frame with a galvanised sheath in the typical Queensland fashion. In 1928, it hosted the world's first scientific study of a coral reef and many current theories of coral reef ecology are based on the findings of the expedition.

Visit one of Australia's most beautiful tropical rainforest islands. You'll understand why Dunk Island's first inhabitants named it 'Coonanglebah' - the Island of Peace and Plenty.

Three quarters of the island is designated National Park. The dense rainforest is home to a huge variety of native flora and fauna, including 150 species of birds, and the beautiful electric blue Ulysses butterfly. Relax on the beach and enjoy the soft breezes that rustle the palm trees around you. Walk in the rainforest and admire the spectacular views from the summit of Mt Kootaloo.

Dunk Island offers opportunities for a variety of watersports and activities such as horseriding.

Cruise to the pristine Frankland Islands. Snorkel or dive on the fringing reef surrounding the islands and submerge yourself in an amazing marine world of colourful fish, sea stars, clams, shells, and both hard and soft corals.

On shore, observe a large array of birds such as pied imperial-pigeons, fruit doves and white-breasted woodswallows. The Frankland Islands are still very important to the Mandingalby Yidinji and Gungandji Aboriginal peoples who have long fished, hunted and gathered foods on these islands and the adjacent sea country.

Captain Cook named the islands in 1770 in honour of two 18th century sailors. They were a Lord of the Admiralty and his nephew, both named Sir Thomas Frankland.

Discover one of the most important seabird breeding sites in the Great Barrier Reef. Unlike nearby Green Island, Michaelmas is a small, low sand cay just covered by grasses and low-growing plants. Enjoy bird watching and look for black-naped terns, reef herons, roseate terns, and ruddy turnstones. More than 30,000 birds from 14 species have been observed at nesting peak in summer. In order to avoid disturbing the nesting seabirds, visitors are asked to stay on the beach.

Nearby Upolo is a low and unvegetated sand cay. Both cays are little sandy paradises surrounded by azure water. Dive or snorkel and admire the beautiful reefs around the cays.