Thursday Island, Australia

Roughly 2,000 years ago, Melanesian and Polynesian settlers arrived on the shores of the Torres Strait Islands, in the far north of the Australian state of Queensland. Today, the unofficial capital of this archipelago is Thursday Island, originally called “Waiben” (believed to mean “no water”) by the Melanesians but today known locally as “TI.” Just 1.4 square miles in size, the island was once a major pearling center. Today, fishing remains a mainstay of the economy.

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Thursday Island, Australia

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Shore Excursions at this port

Below is a list of those shore excursions previously offered in this port. For information on which shore excursions will be offered on a particular cruise, please reference the specific itinerary of that cruise.

Thursday Island Highlights

Duration:

1 Hour - $65

The tour will provide wonderful insight into Thursday Island's people, history, economy, and culture. Departing from the pier, you'll board a coach for your ride to highlights of the island. Your first stop is the refurbished Torres Strait Museum and Green Hill Fort, built in 1893 in response to a Russian war scare. Located on the highest part of the island, it has a large underground section with three of the original guns still in place. After your visit to the fort, continue past the Japanese Pearl Divers Memorial at the local cemetery, where 700 divers have been laid to rest.

At the conclusion of the tour, you will have the option of being dropped off in the downtown area, where you can browse the interesting shops and art gallery where the works of many local artists are displayed, or to return directly to the ship.

Excursion Code:

TIS-001