Pre - European Settlement
Green Island is used by local aboriginal tribes as a fishing ground and a sacred ceremonial site for manhood initiations. Green Island is known as Wunyami, the sea country of the Gungganji and Yidinji people.
1770
On 10 June 1770, Captain James Cook first marked Green Island on the navigational charts and named it after Mr Charles Green, the chief observer and astronomer onboard the HMS Endeavour.
1855
A bech-de-mer (sea cucumber) smoking station was established by a fisherman called JSV Mein and operated on the island for several decades.
1889
Coconut trees were planted to provide shelter, food and drink for shipwrecked sailors. Grass hut accommodation was constructed for fishing and hunting parties.
1890
The first organised pleasure cruises to Green Island were on a local coaster called ‘Zeus’.
1906
Green Island was declared a Recreational Reserve by the Cairns Council. The first public jetty was constructed.
1924
Hayles commenced a regular ferry service from Cairns to Green Island operating every second Sunday.
1930
Kitty & Noel Monkman, pioneers in underwater photography and videography, moved to Green Island and were volunteer air observers during World War II.
1937
Green Island, including the foreshore and reef within one mile of the low water mark, became the first island National Park in Queensland.

The world’s first glass bottom boat was launched at Green Island by the Hayles company. It was a simple small wooden dinghy with glass floats overhanging the sides.
1942
The first guest houses and Coral Cay Hotel were constructed.
1948
A more modern version of the glass bottom boat was launched – it had glass panels inserted into the floorboards.
1954
World’s first stationary underwater observatory opened.
1962
Kitty & Noel Monkman’s Great Barrier Reef Theatre opened.
1963 - 1989
The redeveloped Coral Cay Hotel opens. It was later renamed the Green Island Reef Resort and operated until 1989.
1964
Establishment of the Crocodile Farm, aquarium and museum. Renamed Marineland Melanesia in 1971, this unique attraction still operates today.
1970
Queen Elizabeth II visits Green Island on her 44th birthday – as part of her tour, which followed in Captain Cook’s footsteps.
1974
Queensland Government declared Green Island Reef a Marine National Park. In 1975, the area was included in the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park. In 1981, the Great Barrier Reef was inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage list.
1994
Official opening of the $43 million eco-friendly Green Island Resort by Daikyo Australia.
2001
Green Island Resort Desalination Plant commissioned.
2005
The Quicksilver Group acquires Green Island Resort and Great Adventures operations.
2012
Unable to be restored and structurally unsound, the pioneering Underwater Observatory wasdecommissioned & closed to public.
2006
Inaugural annual Great Adventures Green Island Ocean Swim.
2012
14 November, visitors from around the world converge on Green Island to witness a once in200 year Total Solar Eclipse in the region.
2017
The resort goes solar to supplement power generation.
2024
100 year milestone of regular tourist cruises from Cairns to Green Island
Black-and-white photo of a pier with a boat docked and a tree-covered island in the background.Group of people on boat deck with Australian flag and sign reading 'Observatory' in background.Sunset over a calm lake with silhouetted mountains and palm trees along the shore.Group of boys on a beach in vintage swimwear holding fishing rods with catch, palm trees in background.Old black and white photo of two small wooden cabins surrounded by trees.Black and white photo of people sitting inside a covered boat on calm water.Black and white collage of Green Island: pier, research station, and woman viewing fish through porthole underwater window.People walking along a pier toward a tropical island with palm trees and boats in clear blue water.People gathered outside a mid-century modern pavilion surrounded by trees and plants.Black and white photo showing people walking near a pavilion with a sign for 'Wonders of the Reef' exhibit.Long low bungalow with open doors surrounded by dense tropical trees and plants.Four people sitting or standing at a tiled bar with palm tree mural inside a lounge area.1960s black-and-white photo of Coral Cay Hotel with a patio, columns, and surrounding tropical plants.Swimmers with red caps competing in an ocean race near a beach with spectators and greenery.Group of people on a sandy beach by trees, some using cameras and looking toward the bright sky over the sea.Almost total solar eclipse with sun's corona glowing around the moon and bright light at edge.Total solar eclipse showing the dark moon covering the sun with its bright corona visible.Solar panels installed on a flat rooftop with green trees and blue sky in the background.
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