Thursday Island, Australia

A Pleasure to Visit on Any Day of the Week

Situated in the waterway that separates Australia from Papua New Guinea, the Torres Strait Islands are comprised of 274 small islands—17 of which are inhabited—including Thursday Island. Known as “T.I.” to the locals, we recommend you leave your watch back on the ship and embrace the relaxed, tropical vibe of the island when you visit.

With a diverse mix of cultures thanks to its geography and intriguing history, Thursday Island packs a lot of punch, despite being less than two square miles in size. Head to siteslike the Green Hill Fort, the Gab Titui Cultural Centre, and the Japanese Pearl Diver’s Cemetery to discover more about T.I.’s fascinating history.

Many of the sights and activities to be enjoyed on T.I. are influenced by the Melanesian people—the indigenous population who are not Aborigines, but instead migrated from Melanesia and Polynesia over 2,000 years ago. Embrace the islanders’ love of the sea by diving, fishing, and pearling, which are both popular pastimes, not to mention major sources of income.