What are the opening hours?

Monday 9:30am - 4pm Tuesday 9:30am - 4pm Wednesday 9:30am - 4pm Thursday 9:30am - 4pm Friday 9:30am - 4pm Saturday 9am - 4pm Sunday 9am - 4pm

Marineland Melanesia Crocodile Habitat & Gift Shop

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Cairns, QLD
Marineland Melanesia Crocodile Habitat & Gift Shop

Home of 'CASSIUS', Largest captive crocodile & the esteemed George J Craig Melanesian Art collection

Originally built by 2 partners in the early 60's as "Marineland", before being bought by the Craigs when "Marineland Melanesia" was established. Having worked as a crocodile hunter in Papua New Guinea, George Craig also collected a magnificent range of carvings and ancient Primitive Tribal art from the region known as Melanesia which are now are now on display at Marineland Melanesia along with hu

ge live crocodiles, beautiful marine aquariums and giant marine turtles. Also displayed are a number of old and restored marine artifacts and stationary engines.

-All Day Pass-
Adult AUD$28/pp
Child AUD$14.00/pp

Crocodile presentations daily
10:30am
1:30pm

Green island Coral Nursery Tour 2.30pm (Exclude Crocodile Park)
Adult AUD$7.00/pp
Child AUD$4.00/pp

Open from 9:30 to 14:30 / 16:30
After purchasing ticket, come and go during the day as you like.

*For Groups/Concession/Senior Rate Available at our Counter

16/11/2024

❤️

13/11/2024

We sincerely thank everyone for the outpouring of condolences from all over the world following Cassius' passing.

It is amazing to hear people share their memories of how Cassius touched their lives and the joy he gave to those fortunate enough to be in his presence.

And yes we agree with you Shane danger Coleman “He’s definitely up there chasing boats”

Rest assured all efforts are now being taken to preserve the Legend and we look forward to welcoming you back soon for the opening of our “Cassius Forever” exhibit at Marineland Melanesia on Green Island.

Your support means so much.
Once again thank You.

02/11/2024

It is with deep sadness that we share the passing of our beloved mate Cassius.

He was more than just a Crocodile he was a cherished member of our family and brought joy and companionship to his best mate George for over 37 years.

George had only recently relocated into Cairns from Marineland after 52 years living on Green Island to a assisted care residence on the 5th October.

Cassius’s condition declined since the 15th of October.
He was very old and believed to be living beyond the years of a wild Croc.

Cassius will be deeply missed, but our love and memories of him will remain in our hearts forever.
Thank you to everyone who visited Cassius through out his life and offered kindness along the way.

Please be advised that we may be operating in a limited capacity over the next few days and we apologise for any inconvenience this may cause.

25/07/2024

We’re loving our winter😊, but at 25 degrees, it’s chilly for and the crocodiles!😂 Since they’re cold-blooded, their metabolism slows down during this time, making them a bit sluggish. Even though the crocs aren’t very active and we don’t always feed them, you can still see them up close and learn a lot about these beautiful creatures during our presentations at Marineland Melanesia.
🐊Crocs presentations daily 10.30am &1.30pm

17/07/2024

Marineland Melanesia Entrance: Then and Now

Queensland Places. (n.d.). The “Marjorie Craig” - entrance to Marineland Melanesia, the unique marine zoological garden and Melanesian museum at Green Island, on the Great Barrier Reef. Queensland Places. Retrieved July 17, 2024, from https://www.queenslandplaces.com.au/node/11067

10/07/2024

Happy 94th Birthday to the Boss George J Craig the living legend🥂
❤️

09/07/2024

“Three huge crocodiles for Green Island , Gomic, Anega on top deck and Oscar in the middle. 1973 on MV ‘Magnetic’ loaded in Cairns and bound for Green Island. Brought down from Daru island on the Hvon Gulf to Cairns” George J Craig
📸 Vintage Queensland
Thank you Craig Crawford MP for sharing the photo

25/06/2024

Did you know Marineland is home to 3 species of crocodilians?🌿🐊
Currently, 26 species of crocodilians are recognized worldwide(Hekkala et al. 2011; Shirley et al. 2014, 2018; Eaton 2010), with evidence suggesting two more, Osteolaemus aftezelli and Crocodylus halli, awaiting formal recognition.(IUCN Crocodilian Species, iucncsg.org).

18/06/2024

Daily Croc presentations at 10:30 am and 1:30 pm. Booking is highly recommended during school holiday. Call now to secure your spot and pay upon arrival! 🐊🏝️

11/06/2024

Be in crocs country 🐊 . They are not statues!

10/06/2024

Our new website is now live🎉. Check it out. https://www.greenislandcrocs.com.au/your-visit
Thank youRJ New Designs.

Loved working on the new website for Marineland Melanesia Crocodile Habitat & Gift Shop - they've been owned and operated by the Craig Family for over 50 years and are home to Cassius, the Guiness World Records holder of the ‘Largest Crocodile in Captivity in the World’ title! If you haven't visited them at Green Island, make sure you check them out - https://www.greenislandcrocs.com.au/ - and read their Story on their site - super interesting!!!

03/06/2024

Happy Monday🐊🌴 “just waiting for a mate”

27/05/2024

Announcement 📣. We are closed on Friday 31st May. Thank you for your understanding and we apologise for any inconvenience caused.

23/05/2024

Seeking a winter gateway? 🌴 has it all; gorgeous sunny days😎, perfect temperatures, and no need for heavy layers.🧥

Location📍: Green Island, Cairns
45 minutes ferry from

21/05/2024

Unlike birds and mammals, crocodilians can't regulate their body temperature physiologically, making them cold-blooded. They prefer a temperature range of 30-32°C, moving between warm and cool areas to maintain it. In cold weather, they bask in the sun, and in hot weather, they seek shade to stay cool to avoid overheating. As crocodilians warm up, they often face the sun to minimize heat absorption by their small heads while their bodies continue to heat. In this position, they usually open their mouths to cool their brains through evaporation.

International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN). (n.d.). Temperature regulation.
Retrieved fromhttp://www.iucncsg.org/pages/Temperature-Regulation.html

14/05/2024

Unexpected Discovery on beautiful . Marineland Melanesia is the only crocodile habitat on the Great Barrier Reef. A unique experience for you and your family. Join us for crocs presentations daily and get up close &personal with these amazing creatures.

02/05/2024

“Cassius hand fed?! Yes!! a crazy thing to do. Do not try this… as it could cost your life. As for doing such a thing for photo!!!! Well it’s my life, some times i do stupid things” GJC

29/04/2024

Dive into maritime history at Marineland! 🌊⚓️ Explore our curated collection featuring diving helmets and Nautical treasures 🌊⚓

Address

Green Island
Cairns, QLD
4871

Opening Hours

Monday	9:30am - 4pm
Tuesday	9:30am - 4pm
Wednesday	9:30am - 4pm
Thursday	9:30am - 4pm
Friday	9:30am - 4pm
Saturday	9am - 4pm
Sunday	9am - 4pm

Telephone

+61468993603

Website

https://www.greenislandcrocs.com.au/

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Videos

Unexpected Discovery on beautiful #GreenIslandCairns. Marineland Melanesia is the only crocodile habitat on the Great Barrier Reef. A unique experience for you and your family. Join us for crocs presentations daily and get up close &personal with these amazing creatures. #queensland #exploretnq #TnQ #cairns #cairnslocal

Cheers to Friday vibes. Weekend includes a visit to Green Island 😎☀️ #cairnsaustralia #greatbarrierreef #Cairns #tropicalnorthqld #greenisland #GreenIslandCairns

Cassius gets all the attention……😊 But have you met Trinity and Babinda?( Trinity in the video) These 2 Crocodiles came to us many years ago, unfortunately due to interaction with humans. On February 7, 1998, someone experienced a horrifying encounter with a saltwater crocodile near the Cairns city centre in Queensland. Fortunately, the attack was non-fatal. The incident involved a 15-year-old girl who was viciously mauled by the crocodile. The attack took place in Chinaman Creek while the girl was attending a “beer party” at a nearby camp. She decided to go for a swim in the creek when suddenly, out of nowhere, the three-meter-long crocodile latched onto her leg. Dragging her underwater for what seemed like an eternity, she managed to grab hold of an overhead mangrove branch. Thankfully, two friends heard her screams and rushed to her aid. One of them quickly climbed onto the branch and pulled her up by gripping onto her hair tightly. He then handed her over to his companion who had ventured into the creek up to his chest level. Astonishingly enough, despite their efforts, they couldn’t free her from the clutches of this terrifying predator as it still had its jaws firmly locked around both of her legs. In desperation, one man resorted to yelling and splashing water vigorously in order to distract and confuse the crocodile while engaging in what can only be described as an intense tug-of-war battle with it underwater. Eventually though - after what must have felt like an eternity - they managed to pull off this daring rescue mission and succeeded in hauling their bleeding friend out of harm’s way. The local authorities commended these courageous men for their bravery during such traumatic circumstances. They used this incident as an opportunity to raise awareness about swimming or lingering near areas known for being frequented by crocodiles like this. from Cairns Post, 7 February, 1998 Reported as being February 6th 1998

Introducing our newest aquarium member,the yellow box fish!🐠 🌟. These guys may look cute but watch out. If they are threatened ,they can inflate themselves and release a powerful toxin. #yellowboxfish #aquarium #aquariumlife #greenisland #greenislandcairns

Check out the stunning new entrance mural to Marineland Melanesia on Green island. This masterpiece was created by the super talented local artist Daniel Wallwork who has truly outdone himself with his creativity and skill. The vibrant colors and intricate details are simply breathtaking. We are so lucky to have such incredible talent in our community! #cairns #greenisland #GreenIslandCairns #muralartist #muralpainting #muralpainter

Green Island is a beautiful part of the Great Barrier Reef. This small coral cay supports a wide variety of both native and migratory bird species. Among these are the Great Frigatebird, the White-bellied Sea-Eagle and the Eastern Reef Egret, all of which can be seen year-round. The island is also a regular stopover for many migratory bird species, such as the Brown Booby, the Common Tern, and the Great Crested Tern, which are known to breed on the island during the warmer months. #cairns #cairnsaustralia #tourismtropicalnorthqueensland #ttnq #birds #birdwatching #birdwatchers

As the holiday season approaches, Marineland Melanesia would like to extend our sincerest appreciation to our customers and partners for their support throughout the year. We wish you a very happy holiday season and a prosperous New Year. We are excited for the year 2023! It’s going to be a great one. #corallite #coral #cairns #tropicalnorthqueensland #greatbarrierreef #coralreef #greenisland #ttnq #reeftank #aquarium Big Cat Green Island Reef CruisesGreat Adventures - Green Island and Great Barrier Reef Cruises Centre for Crocodile Research Sustainable Reefs Cairns Marine Reef Room Think Water Cairns Ocean Free & Ocean Freedom - Cairns Premier Reef & Island Tours