Horn Island

Horn Island is a part of the Western Torres Strait Islands group, located above the tip of Cape York Peninsula, Australia’s northernmost point. Located approximately 150 kilometres off the Queensland coast and just south of Papua New Guinea, Horn Island offers a truly remarkable Island Experience.

Horn Island has a rich cultural history. The island was bombed eight times by Japanese forces during World War II and gold was discovered here in 1894, which was mined up until 1988. The traditional land owners of Horn Island, the Kaurareg people, gave the Island its name – Ngurapai.

Ngarupai is 52km2 and home to approximately 800 residents – the majority of which reside in the main village of Wasaga. The island is home to one of the busiest regional airports in Australia. It is also the only airport in the Torres Straits that connects directly with mainland Australia. Qantas Link flies direct from Cairns to Horn Island two times daily.

Torres Strait

The Torres Strait is home to 274 Islands (17 of which are inhabited); located in the waterway which separates mainland Australia from Papua New Guinea.

The Islands were first discovered by Europeans in 1606; by Spanish Captain Torres, who named the islands after himself. It was another 160 years before Captain Cook entered the region and claimed the entire east coast of Australia. The waters then became a trade route for ships travelling between India and Britain.

Activities in the Torres Strait remain based around its peoples’ love for the sea, with fishing and diving being a major economic source.

Please be aware and respectful of your cultural surroundings when journeying to any of the Islands within the Torres Strait Group. A number of the Islands require permission for visitation from the traditional land owners prior to arrival; information regarding visitation permits can be obtained from the Torres Strait Island Regional Council (www.tsirc.qld.gov.au). On this site you will also find information on each individual island plus cultural protocols you must be aware of if visiting.

Thursday Island

Thursday Island is just a short ferry ride from Horn Island. Two ferry companies operate from the Horn Island Wharf, offering a return service to Thursday Island. Both services run at hourly intervals during weekdays and at limited times on weekends. Please see reception for ferry timetables & prices.

Thursday Island is the administrative centre of the Torres Strait Island Group and is home to an extensive range of services and facilities. Services include; Torres Shire Council (www.torres.qld. gov.au), Hospital, Schools, Police Station, Post Office, Supermarkets, Hardware Store, Cultural Centre and Art Gallery, Courthouse, Health Centre, Library, National Australia Bank Branch; along with various cafes, pubs, restaurants and retail stores.

Cape York & Seisia

Our friendly reception staff can assist in organising boat or helicopter charters to the very northernmost point of the Australian mainland. Don’t forget to snap a picture of yourself in front of the sign located at the Tip.

If you are looking for something a little less adventurous, then catch the ferry from Thursday Island to Seisia (via Peddell’s 07 4069 1551). Seisia is mainland Australia’s northernmost community. Seisia is home to a popular beach front camping ground, along with several shops to pass the time away before returning to Horn Island. Ferry timetable is available online at (www.peddellsferry.com.au/ferry-timetable) or enquire with Reception.

* please see visitors information pack for current tour pricing *

Torres Strait Tours

Torres Strait Heritage; Horn Island WW2 tour

*Lonely Planet Must Visit Recommendation

The 2.5 hour tour of Horn Island, known as Ngarupai, is conducted in an air conditioned bus. On this tour you will experience the beautiful Torres Strait, specifically Horn Island. Join your guide and walk in the steps of those who served on the island during WW2, both American and Australian. Learn of the hardship involved in the development and maintenance of Horn Island as an advanced operational airbase.

Some of the sites visited include a World War II plane relic, slit trenches, taxiways, a 3.7 inch gun site, an underground command post and the first completed stage of the Horn Island WW2 Conservation Project. Revel in the stories of men and women who served on this remote island during the war. These stories have been told to the guide by the many veterans who have had great input into the tour regarding their experiences so that you may gain a more personal knowledge of the difficult conditions suffered by the servicemen and women here, including the Japanese air raids.

As well as the historical side the tour also takes in the scenic sites of Horn Island including King Point, which offers views of the outer islands. Your Horn Island experience is completed by a visit to the privately owned and funded Torres Strait Heritage Museum. This is the largest collection of Torres Strait artefacts in Torres Strait and provides a personal side to the history of
the area.

Booking Info: May through October. Museum available all year by appointment. Call Vanessa on 0427 903 333 to make an appointment.

Lax Charters; Thursday Island Tour

*Lonely Planet Must Visit Recommendation

Experience the real Torres Strait in an intimate guided tour of Thursday Island, the ‘hub’ of the Torres Strait. Known to the locals simply as ‘TI’, Thursday Island is home to some of Australia’s richest history. You will be introduced to the indigenous culture and treated as a guest of the island, not a tourist.

A born and bred local with a lifetime of knowledge and expertise on the history and culture of the Torres Strait, Dirk Laifoo provides you with a rich commentary that is both entertaining and enthralling.

Booking Info: Tour duration is 90mins Minimum 4 guests, Maximum 10 guests
Guests will have to catch 8am ferry to T.I for the tour. Call Dirk on 0427 691 356 to book.

Kazu Pearl Farm; Friday Island Pearl Farm Tour

Experience an informative and entertaining demonstration of the cultivation, seeding and harvesting of the oyster. You may also want to treat yourself with purchasing an exquisite piece of pearl jewelry made and grown from the Kazu Pearl Farm.

Booking Info: Pick up from Thursday Island Engineers Wharf at 11-11.30am (this is the wharf which the Ferry will drop you off) returning to Thursday Island at 2.30pm. Call the Kazu Pearl Farm on 07 4069 1268 to book.

Loyalty Beach; Cape York 4WD Tour

Visit the most Northern part of Australia with an experienced guide that will take you to the Historical Somerset Beach (the original site of the Capes administrative centre), visit local Indigenous communities, the Croc Tent Souvenir Stall, the WWII plane wrecks at the Injinoo Airfield. Lunch and light refreshments included.

Booking Info: Call Loyalty Beach 4WD Tours on 07 4069 3372 or 07 4069 3808 to book.

Peddells; Thursday Island Tour

“The warmest welcome and most in depth tour on Thursday Island.”

This award winning tour will provide you with a glimpse into another culture and bring the island’s history to life through your guide’s easy storytelling style, driven by pure passion for their island home. A local family business, Peddell’s Thursday Island Tour is a great way to take in the stunning panoramic island views and enjoy the vivid and interesting displays of Thursday Island’s hilltop museum which is housed in the refurbished underground tunnels and rooms of Green Hill Fort (circa. 1893).

You will visit the striking Japanese Pearl Divers Memorial located at T.I. cemetery on the northern side of the island and learn how over 700 pearl shell divers lost their lives in pursuit of the highly prized mother of pearl shell. A memorial to the designer of the Torres Strait flag is located nearby. Benefit from a local’s intimate knowledge by having our expert indigenous tour guides Sue and Christine help you discover Thursday Island’s military, maritime, pearling and cultural history.

Relax and enjoy an in-depth commentary with Torres Strait’s most experienced and vibrant guides. Tour in modern air-conditioned fully licensed vehicles and enjoy T.I.’s most iconic locations. Visit Torres Strait Historical Museum, admission included.

Booking Info:
Tour duration is 90min.
Call 07 4069 1551 or visit www.peddellsferry.com.au to book.

Disclaimer: Wongai Beach Hotel provides this information in good faith and to the best of our knowledge the information is correct at the time of issue. The information should be verified at the time of booking and Wongai Beach Hotel is not responsible for changes to any detail provided.

Tip of Australia Scenic Helicopter Flight

Take a beautiful 40-minute scenic helicopter flight to the northernmost point of the Australian mainland, the iconic Tip of Australia.

You will depart from either Horn Island or Thursday Island in the heart of Torres Strait. Your pilot will point out numerous landmarks including one of Australia’s oldest military fortifications.

Chance sightings include dugongs, dolphins, sea turtles, giant marlin and the largest reptile in the world, the Saltwater or Estuarine Crocodile, a ferocious and expert hunter that can reach 6m in length and weigh over 1000kg.

From Their unique aerial perspective view deserted white beaches, low lying wetlands, volcanic
rainforest covered peaks and seasonal waterfalls that flow out to fringing reefs bathed in warm
tropical waters that teem with wildlife.

Booking Info:
Depart Horn or Thursday Island: on demand
From $499pp (minimum 2 passengers) tel: 07 4034 9000 or visit: https://www.nautilusaviation.
com.au/experience/tip-of-australia-scenic-flight/ to book.

Coastal Rotors

Discover the Cape York Peninsula and Torres Strait with Coastal Rotors!

About Us: Coastal Rotors is a family owned and operated helicopter company based conveniently at Horn Island Airport. Our range of exclusive scenic flights take you high into the big blue, giving a unique perspective of this amazing part of the country.

We’ve prepared a selection of flights and packages, which all take off from Horn Island Airport (optional departures from Thursday Island, extra fees apply, contact us for a quote). Our scenic flight prices are based on a per person rate, with a minimum of 2 pax needed to operate the flight. Our Robinson R44 helicopter can take up to 3 adult guests. We can also customise any charter to meet your specific requirements.

Explore The Straits – 30 minutes

Taking off from Horn Island we’ll take you on a journey of discovery exploring the inner cluster of tropical islands, that are a part of the Torres Strait Islands. Soak up the sights of turquoise waters, home to coral reefs, turtles, rays and dugongs, see WW2 infrastructure, a shipwreck and more.

426pp – Minimum 2 passengers

The Strait Experience – 45 minutes

This one is an extension on the Explore the Straits flight and includes views of Horn, Thursday, Hammond, Goods and Prince of Wales Islands. This really is a tropical paradise, to be seen to be believed from the air. We also have the option to take you over Pajinka (The Tip of Australia).

$599pp – Minimum 2 passengers

The Straits & Pajinka – 60 minutes

A spectacularly scenic flight showcasing the best of northern Australia, including Pajinka (The Tip), with Evans and Frangipani Bay in the backdrop, and several of the Torres Strait Islands. This seriously blue saltwater country and from above you can see coral reefs, sandy shores and more.

781pp – Minimum 2 passengers

Booking info:
Call or text us on 0498 580 042
https://www.coastalrotors.com.au/tourism-flights/scenic-flights

Torres Strait Flag

Story of the Torres Strait Flag

The Torres Strait Flag was designed by the late Bernard Namok from Thursday Island. It was the winning entry in a design competition, held as part of a Cultural Revival Workshop, organised by The Islands Coordinating Council in January 1992. The flag was officially presented to the people of the Torres Strait at the sixth Torres Strait Cultural Festival on 29 May 1992.

The flag was recognized by the former national body, the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Commission in June 1992 and given equal prominence with the Aboriginal flag. In July 1995, the Torres Strait Flag was recognized by the Australian Government as an official ‘Flag of Australia’ under the Flags Act 1953.

Symbolic meaning

The Flag consists of horizontal bands: two green and one blue, separated by black lines; a Dhari which is a distinctive traditional dance and ceremonial headdress; and a five-pointed star are central motifs of the flag. Each part of the flag gives meaning to the Torres Strait Island culture:

• Green: the two green lines represent the mainland of Australia and Papua New Guinea.
• Blue: the blue between these two continents is the blue of the Torres Strait Island waters.
• Black: the black lines represent the people of the Torres Strait.
• Central symbol: is one that any islander anywhere can identify with, the Dhari or headdress.
• Five-pointed star: The five-pointed star represents the five major Island groups of the Torres
  Strait as well as sea-faring navigation.
• White: represents peace.