Thursday Island

Thursday Island is the commercial and transport hub for 20 communities in the Torres Strait region. Its history, cultural expressions and remaining island vegetation offer different ways to shape your stay.

History among the fort, cemetery and harbour

Green Hill Fort was built between 1891 and 1893 as part of Australia’s defences against a possible Russian invasion. Since 1993, it has served as a public park and tourist attraction. The fort is a 15-minute walk from town. Its history and present-day use as a park make it a special destination for anyone interested in the island’s past.

Thursday Island Cemetery also tells the story of settlement since the late 19th century. It contains the graves of Muslims, Buddhists, Japanese people, Pacific Islanders and Torres Strait Islanders. More than 700 Japanese graves are part of the cemetery. On 15 August 1979, the Japanese Consulate erected a memorial there to commemorate the fallen.

The Anglican church was built in the early 20th century and named after the people who died when the Quetta sank in 1890. The Catholic church, Our Lady of the Sacred Heart, still stands; it was built a few years after the Sacred Heart Mission was established in 1884. Thursday Island Customs House is heritage-listed at the state level and is entered in the Queensland Heritage Register. Bayo Beach was the historic centre of pearling and maritime activity on Thursday Island.

Cultural insights and island traditions

Gab Titui Cultural Centre is a contemporary art gallery and a repository for cultural artefacts. It offers a way to experience art and cultural heritage that differs from the island’s historic sites. Opening hours vary by season: from April to October, the centre is open Monday to Friday from 9:00 am to 4:30 pm and Saturday from 9:30 am to 1:00 pm. From November to March, the hours are 10:00 am to 3:00 pm Monday to Friday; Saturday hours remain 9:30 am to 1:00 pm.

At exhibition openings, traditional dancers at Gab Titui Cultural Centre tell stories from different islands. The performances feature dynamic movement, distinctive music and songs, and there is an outdoor area for performances. Island Stars offers another way to experience traditional Ailan Kastom, through dance, singing and storytelling.

The Torres Hotel at 68 Douglas Street is known as Australia’s northernmost pub and has social significance for the local community and visitors. It adds a place connected with community life on Thursday Island to the cultural and historical themes.

Views and remaining natural areas

Lion’s Lookout offers expansive views of the surrounding waters and islands, including Horn Island. The lookout is located in a preserved World War II bunker on Milman Hill. Nature enthusiasts will also find a preserved rainforest on Green Hill, one of only two remaining rainforest areas on Thursday Island.

About 20 Carbeen trees (Eucalyptus tessellaris) grow at Hospital Point; they are the last remaining examples of this species on Thursday Island. The stands of Thursday Island bloodwood (Eucalyptus cambageana) and Wongai contain most of the island’s remaining natural vegetation. These individual glimpses of plant life offer a different perspective on Thursday Island from its historic buildings and cultural sites.

Connecting Thursday Island and Horn Island

Torres Strait Tours, in partnership with Rebel Marine, operates regular ferry services between Thursday Island and Horn Island. The ferry trip from Horn Island to Thursday Island takes 10 to 15 minutes. If you want to include both islands in your trip, this service is a practical starting point for planning. For an overview of places on Thursday Island, the Peddells Thursday Island Tour visits the old fort, cemetery, museums and local town centre.

You can tailor your stay to your own interests: Green Hill Fort and the cemetery offer historical discoveries, Gab Titui and Island Stars feature art and cultural performances, while Lion’s Lookout and the remaining vegetation bring nature into focus. These highlights can help you choose a suitable holiday rental for your trip to Thursday Island.

More destinations: Cairns, Rossville, Boyne Island, Benaraby, Innisfail, Upper Tenthill, Dakabin, Ravenswood.

For the broader travel overview: Queensland.