Donations flow for Abbot Point challenge after port approval

Donations are flowing in to a proposed legal challenge to the federal government's approval of one of the world's largest coal ports on the Great Barrier Reef.

Environment Minister Greg Hunt approved the Abbot Point terminal expansion on Tuesday, prompting activist group GetUp to immediately set up a fund to fight the decision in court.

"This is a dumb, cowardly approval, and he's tried to sneak it through before Christmas," the group posted on its website.

Donations have been streaming in on their website overnight and GetUp said they had been advised they have a strong prospect of winning a case.

The expanded port is intended to service Adani's proposed Carmichael mine, which would be the largest coal mine in the country.