Torres Strait Islands

Torres Strait lies between Cape York and Papua New Guinea, linking the Coral Sea and the Pacific Ocean in the east with the Arafura Sea in the west.

There are more than 70 islands in the Torres Strait Islands community, divided into 17 smaller communities each with its own local council. Many of the islands are not open to visitors and permission to visit must be obtained in advance.

Archaeological evidence suggests that the islands have been inhabited for more than 4,000 years and their rich culture is an important part of Islanders' lives. Ailan Kastom is a unique and multifaceted mix of Torres Strait, Melanesian, Polynesian, Aboriginal and European culture and includes everything from dugong hunting and weaving mats to traditional rite-of-passage celebrations and Christian festivals. The new Gab Titui Cultural Centre on Thursday Island is the first centre devoted specifically to the unique heritage and culture of the Torres Strait.

Thursday Island at the tip of Cape York is the main administrative and commercial centre for the Islands. It's an attractive place with a warm welcome for visitors. The Islanders' long association with the sea continues here in the busy pearling, crayfishing and trochus industries.

The airport for the Torres Strait Islands is on Horn Island to the southeast of TI. The runway was once part of the air base from which Australian and American flyers defended Australia during WW II. Concrete for the surrounding gun emplacements was mixed on the beach and wheelbarrowed inland, mostly uphill. The emplacements can still be seen around the island, along with the wreckage of numerous WW II planes.

operators in Torres Strait Islands

« Prev |  1  | Next »

Rating: 

Kirkhope Aviation & Pungalina<

7 day air tour from Melbourne<...

More »

Rating: 

Wilderness Challenge

« Prev |  1  | Next »

QLD map