Turtley Awesome! New purpose-built Turtle Rehabilitation Centre for Green Island

17th of April 2026

Work has officially begun on the new Green Island Turtle Rehabilitation Centre, marked this week by a ceremonial breaking of ground at Green Island Resort.

With shovels in hand, Andrew Powell Queensland Minister for the Environment and Tourism was joined in turning the first sods of soil by Tony Baker Managing Director Quicksilver Group, Bree James Member for Barron River & Assistant Tourism Manager, and Jennie Gilbert Co-Founder CTRC.  

The new centre, which is an expansion of the Cairns Turtle Rehabilitation Centre, will deliver world-class care for sick and injured turtles and strengthen conservation efforts on the Great Barrier Reef.

The facility will be built on land provided by the Quicksilver Group, owners and operators of Green Island Resort and Great Adventures Green Island Cruises. 

“We’re very proud to support the Green Island Turtle Rehabilitation Centre, helping give injured turtles a second chance and protecting the unique marine life of the Great Barrier Reef that so many people come here to experience,” said Tony Baker Managing Director Quicksilver Group.

Cairns Turtle Rehabilitation Centre co-founder Jennie Gilbert expressed the organisation’s sincere appreciation for the Queensland Government’s $600,000 investment to support the establishment of the purpose-built facility on Green Island.

“This brand new facility is going to include tanks for turtles, and it will also run daily educational talks with small groups of people, as I believe education and research are critical components of conservation,” Ms Gilbert said.

Building on the work of the Cairns Turtle Rehabilitation Centre, the Green Island expansion will enable ongoing rehabilitation efforts for sick and injured turtles in Far North Queensland.

Located on the Great Barrier Reef which is home to six of the world’s seven species of marine turtles, the Green Island facility is expected to be operational by December 2026.