The turtles of the Great Barrier Reef are getting a much-needed helping hand.
Thanks to a $600,000 investment by the Crisafulli Government, a brand-new Turtle Rehabilitation Centre is set to be established on Green Island—bringing world-class care to sick and injured sea turtles right in the heart of Far North Queensland.
Expanding a Lifesaving Legacy
The new facility builds on the incredible success of the Cairns Turtle Rehabilitation Centre, a volunteer-driven initiative that has rescued, rehabilitated, and released hundreds of turtles over the years. The Green Island expansion will extend this vital work, ensuring more turtles have a fighting chance to recover from:
- Entanglement in fishing gear
- Ingesting marine debris
- Boat strikes
- Debilitating diseases
Green Island is a fitting home for the new centre—it’s surrounded by vibrant coral reefs and marine life, and sits within the Great Barrier Reef, which hosts six of the world’s seven species of sea turtles.
Funded in the 2025–26 State Budget, this new facility is part of the government’s election commitment to strengthen environmental protection and wildlife care across Queensland.
From the reef to the rainforest, Far North Queensland is home to some of the world’s most iconic and fragile ecosystems. With this new turtle rehab centre, we’re one step closer to ensuring these ancient creatures remain part of our natural story—for generations to come.
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