The Torres Strait Islands number in excess of 100 and most are surrounded by fringing coral platforms, satellite reefs and picturesque sand cays. Seventeen of these islands are populated, but the origins of their ancestors remains a mystery. Recent archeological digs reveal early settlement that dates back to at least 4,000 years. Torres Strait "Creole' is the common language, containing aboriginal structures with Melanesian & Papua New Guinea elements. Most islanders have kept the language of their ancestors alive.

When Europeans arrived they encountered a strong, healthy and fiercely independent seafaring people. Warfare was common place between islands and head-hunting for trophies was an accepted part of their culture and religious way of life. Despite their inherited differences there was a coming together of island peoples through the need to trade for survival and this no doubt enriched their lifestyle. The richness of this culture exists today not only in their language skills, but in their dance ceremonies and arts & crafts. The history of the Torres Strait is very interesting from the first known contact and voyage of discovery by Torres in 1606, throughout the boom times of the pearling industry to the present day.

Thursday Island is the long established centre of administration and hospitality and hundreds of visitors each year take the daily ferry ride from the mainland to explore it's colonial history and learn something of the islands multi cultural journey through the past 150 years. Whether it's a trip by air or sea, or both, a visit to the Torres Strait Islands is a unique Australian adventure that hundreds have experienced and many more thousands are yet to enjoy.