Barrier Reef Australia Blog

GREEN ISLAND RESORT – ACCOMMODATION FOR WHEEL CHAIR & MOBILITIY RESTRICTED GUESTS

A stay at Green Island Resort will allow you the opportunity to enjoy the island after the day trippers leave and it’s at its most peaceful.

Hidden amongst the lush tropical foliage of the island you’ll find modern and warmly decorated accessible hotel-style rooms with a private balcony.

The spacious rooms offer easy access and good wheelchair maneuverability with space to transfer from a wheelchair to the bed on either side. 

A sliding door reveals an accessible bathroom which gives guests with mobility restrictions the option of a large bath or a roll-in shower. There’s a flip-down shower seat, height adjustable shower head, lever taps and accessible sink.

The bathroom is fitted throughout with grab rails.

A wheelchair accessible wooden boardwalk links the common areas of the resort including the lobby, pool and restaurants.

Entry to the pool is via four steps.

GREEN ISLAND ACTIVITIES FOR WHEELCHAIR AND MOBILITY RESTRICTED VISITORS

Island Boardwalk Green Island has wheel chair friendly jetty and boardwalks along the interpretive rainforest walk around the island and inside the Marineland Melanesia Crocodile Habitat and Tribal Museum.

Island Swimming Pool : access to swimming pool and to water’s edge for snorkelling will require the assistance of a carer or travelling companion.

Scenic viewing from the Island’s Jetty

Snorkelling, Swimming & Kayaking: mobility restricted guests may need assistance from a carer to get from the paved area across the beach sand to the water’s edge to participate in this activity. This is due to the sand being very soft at Green Island which can cause a wheel chair to become stuck. The distance between the paved area to the water’s edge will be determined by the time at the time. Approx 5 metres to 10 metres.

Great Barrier Reef Scenic Helicopter Flights: 10 min & 15 min scenic helicopter flights over the reef from the island are available in the mornings OR, take a scenic flight to the island and cruise back by fast catamaran in the afternoon. To access the helicopter, you will be required to be able to take a one step up on to a stair platform and then one step in to the helicopter.

STAIRS TO CONSIDER WHEN PARTICIPATING IN GREEN ISLAND ACTIVITIES

Access to Glass Bottom Boat Tour [3 steps] depending on the tide level it could be 3 steps/flat platform/ another 3 steps to a lower platform.
Access in to the Island’s Swimming Pool [4 steps]Both for day visitor’s pool and resort guest’s pool.
Access into Helicopter [2 steps]

ISLAND DINING

When you work up an appetite, the island has a variety of dining options available.

You can grab a casual style meal like a take-away burger or fish and chips from the Canopy Grill, or if you prefer to take time over an a la carte meal, there is Emeralds Restaurant.

Both are fully accessible without the need to take any stairs.

Emeralds Restaurant is accessible via the ramp next to Lite Bites (ice cream shop) or from the resort if you are staying as a guest.

ACCESSIBLE AMENITIES FOR THE DISABLED

Disabled toilets are located at a large stand-alone unisex bathroom near the shops and restaurants.

GREEN ISLAND FERRY BOAT TRANSFERS ACCESS

You will need to contact us directly to advise us of your requirements when booking your Green Island boat ride to discuss your mobility needs.
Depending on the tide levels at your time of travel, there can be a few steps that need to be at negotiated at the end of the gangway on to the jetty.
If you are bringing a wheel chair, it is also necessary to inform us of its dimensions as we need to ensure  that it can be accommodated on the gangway.

There are several tour boat departures from Cairns Marlin Marina to Green Island per day.
But because the tides affect the accessibility of embarkation and disembarkation at Green Island, it is important to ask us to check the departure times that will be most suited to your requirements at the time of booking.  

*Please do not book a Green Island tour until you have spoken to us about the tides times and your level of mobility.

GREEN ISLAND ACTIVITIES FOR RESORT GUESTS & DAY VISITORS

Taking a walk or a wheelchair through the island’s rainforest is an enjoyable accessible activity via a level boardwalk.
Along the boardwalk you will see many native plant species [there are over 120 on Green Island] and have the opportunity to sight one or more of the many colourful birds that live amongst the rainforest.

A helicopter flight over the Barrier Reef is an ideal way to appreciate the vastness and beauty of the reef.
Depending on your budget and the time you have available, you can choose from a 10 min or a 15 min scenic tour from the island.
There is also the option to travel to the island on a scenic helicopter flight in the morning and then cruising back by fast catamaran in the afternoon. 
The views of Green Island and the surrounding reef are spectacular from the air.
The Helicopter crew are patient and allow extra time to embark due to mobility restrictions.

Swimming, Snorkelling and Kayaking are activities available directly from the beach.
Lifeguards are on hand patrolling the beach to make sure guests are safe in the water.
You can hire snorkeling gear and beach equipment on the island.
A limited number of towels are available to hire. Depending on your level of mobility there are glass bottom boat tours also available.

COACH TRANSFERS - SHUTTLE TRANSFERS TO AND FROM THE CAIRNS MARLIN MARINA

Transfers may be available from the Cairns Northern Beaches and Cairns accommodation to passengers with enough mobility to be able to negotiate 3 steps with assistance on and off the bus. 
Alternatively a Wheel Chair Taxi can be booked between Cairns and Cairns Northern Beaches at a set rate.
If you need more information don't hesitate to call 1300 231 118