Tropical Islands of the GBR ... Low Island to Frankland IslandLow IslesThese Tropical Islands were officially named Low Isles in 1819, because in 1770 Captain Cook had described them as “a small low island”. The aboriginal name is Wungkun. The Historic Lighthouse. built in 1878 is on the Commonwealth Heritage List, both for its cultural and indigenous heritage. Originally oil burners were used for lighting but in 1993 they were converted to solar energy. Weather has been reported from here since 1887. Navigating around the northern tropical islands in this region is recognised as being difficult and the Torres Strait Island Pilots are usually employed by the the larger vessels. One can imagine how many ships would have been lost before the lighthouse was built. The first scientific study in the world on reef coral and the ecology of the surrounding coral reef took place here in 1928. Low Isles are situated 15km NE of Port Douglas and daily trips are made from there. Once there you have access to guided walking tours, including the Low Isles Heritage Walk. Snorkelling is great… just about every animal or coral on the can be seen .. you can even take a trip in a glass bottom boat and find Nemo. While you are here in these tropical islands ... you may not get back again for a while ... why not take an extra trip to the outer Barrier Reef to view the spectacular Agincourt Ribbon Reef. It was while filming at Batt Reef not far from Port Douglas that Steve Irwin, the renowned conservationist, was killed by a stingray in a freak accident. From Port Douglas by Cat. Cairns to Port Douglas is about an hour’s drive by car. Tours will start at either Cairns or Port Douglas 
Green IslandGreen Island, a small coral cay... one of 300 in the Great Barrier Reef... is the only one with a rainforest. It is 27ks from Cairns and takes 45 mins with Great Adventures high speed catamarans. These transfers are complimentary for house guests.In 1770 Captain Cook sighted Green Island on June 10, and he is credited with naming it after Charles Green, his Chief Observer and Astronomer on HMS Endeavour. European colonisation began in 1857 when a sea cucumber smoking station was established on the island. Prior to this it is believed the island was used by local aboriginal tribes for fishing, and as a sacred ceremonial site for manhood initiations. The island was declared a national park in 1936, and in 1974 the Great Barrier Reef around the island was declared a national marine park. The first guest house on the island was opened in 1940. In 1954 the world's first underwater observatory was opened. Another world first was the Barrier Reef Theatre...the first on an island... in 1961. The second Coral Cay Hotel was opened in 1965. Queen Elizabeth II visited the island during her 1970 Royal Australian Tour. In 1974, and in another pioneering first, the Hayles Familyintroduced the use of a semi-submersible boat for coral viewing.
In 1992, Daikyo commenced redevelopment of the island's day visitor facilities and the new environmentally sensitiveGreen Island Resort. 1992 saw the commissioning of a tertiary sewage treatment plant, followed by new day visitor facilities. The official opening of the $43 million eco-friendly Green Island resort took place. In 2001 the commissioning of a desalination plant... producing 55,000 litres of freshwater daily... ensured that the natural underground water was protected, and in 2004 the Resort Day Spa facilities were opened. In 2005, The Quicksilver Group acquired Green Island Resort and Great Adventures island operations.
The tertiary sewage treatment plant is one of the most sophisticated in Australia. Power to the island is independent, being provided by four diesel generators in a sound-proof building. All waste is barged back to the mainland daily and disposal is prohibited on the island. Among the numerous awards for its eco-sensitive practices include: Australia's Clean Beach Challenge, and Resource Conservation and Waste Management Awards. The resort has also been awarded Advanced Ecotourism Certification for preservation and commitment to the island's rainforest and reef surrounds, and the management of this world class eco-sensitive resort. Inclusive Activities • Welcome sunset drinks • Introductory and certified diving
Graphics by courtesy: Green Island Resort Link to Green Island Accommodation Fitzroy IslandOver 300 hectares of rainforest, Fitzroy Island is surrounded by beautiful beaches and a coral reef, and is 4kms from Cairns by Cat. The Fitzroy Hunt Resort has recently reopened after refurbishing. Walking, snorkeling and a visit to Nudey Beach for a great beach make for an enjoyable holiday. From Cairns by Cat. …. 45 mins.
Frankland IslandsOnly one tour operator is licensed to visit this uninhabited and virtually untouched group of 5 tropical islands, and numbers are limited to 100. You board the vessel at Deeral Landing on the Mulgrave River, 40 mins south of Cairns. A 25 mins river cruise will take you to the mouth of the river, and you can see the islands from there. Another 25mins trip and you'll arrive at Normanby Island … the main island in the group. Once there you will be treated to guided island walks through this National Park, viewing the rock pools, followed by a tropical lunch under a rainforest canopy. Snorkelling, diving and swimming amongst the green sea turtles, giant clams and beautiful tropical fish will finish off your day nicely. Camping is also available at Russell Island, another island in the group, but these arrangements must be made by the camper. By boat from Deeral Landing, (south of Cairns).
dbking 91rs arriba Queensland Holidays That's enough about these Pacific Islands for a while. I'm going to take a break. Would you like to leave Tropical Islands and go to Sea Creatures Coral Reef Fish North Pacific Islands Reef Accommodation |
The Hayles Family commenced a regular ferry service from Cairns to Green Island operating every 2nd Sunday in 1924.
