Cape York - Islands of the Torres Strait

The Torres Strait is made up of over 100 islands north of Cape York in Tropical North Queensland. Stretching approximately 150km between the northern most tip of Australia and the south coast of Papua New Guinea, the dazzling turquoise waters of the Torres Strait are dotted with over 100 islands as well as coral cays, exposed sandbanks and reefs.  The Strait's overall population of 8000 people, of which approximately 6000 are Torres Strait Islanders and Aboriginal people, is dispersed throughout 19 small island communities. The communities are all remote, approximately 1000 kilometres from the nearest city and each has a population between 80 and 750 people.  The most populated island and centre of trading and business in the Straits is Thursday Island, also known as ‘Waiben'. With 3,500 residents the Torres Strait Islander culture is an interesting mix of Japanese, Chinese, Filipino, Malay, South Sea Islander, Papuan, Aboriginal and European peoples.   Torres Strait Islanders are proud of their unique culture and both the older and younger generations strive to retain it. Where possible Torres Strait Islanders maintain their traditional way of life, depending on marine resources for their daily existence. Thursday Island, now identified as one of the last great frontiers in Australia, holds some great Australian history. In 1880 Thursday Islandacted as the defence centre for Australiaand evidence of this still exists in that the cannons still remain in place.  The culture is quite distinct from mainland Aboriginal culture.  There is a variety of accommodation and tours to experience the Torres Strait Islands.  It's an ideal stopover to see the Torres Straitculture and lifestyle inherited from its South Pacific neighbours.