Thursday Island, Queensland

Australia

Immerse yourself in the rich Indigenous Torres Strait Islander culture and pristine tropical waters teeming with vibrant marine life.

💱 Currency Australian Dollar (AUD)

🗣 Language English

🕐 Time Zone AEST (UTC+10)

☀️ Best Time to Visit February, March, September, and November offer the best combination of weather and cruise availability in the tropical north.

🚢 Typical Duration 16-59 nights

💰 Price Range $3,724–$67,990 per person

⚓ Port Type Port of Call

🚤 Tender Port Yes

Gateway to Australia's remote Torres Strait, offering unique Indigenous culture, pristine natural beauty, and access to some of the world's most exclusive expedition cruises.

Cruises that visit Thursday Island, Queensland

Build Your Day in Thursday Island, Queensland

Cruise calls are short. Set your ship's arrival time, pick the stops you care about, and we'll show whether they realistically fit before departure.

Ships typically depart around 6:00 PM

Usually about 10 hours ashore

My ship arrives around: Getting around:

The Grand Hotel Thursday Island We stopped in to Thursday Island for a pub feed and were not disappointed. Restaurant · ★ 4 · 0k

Wongai Beach Hotel The chips alone are worth the ferry ride over from Thursday Island. Restaurant · ★ 4.2 · 0k

Green Hill Fort Stunning views of TI and the surrounding islands. Tourist attraction · ★ 4.6 · 0k

Torres Hotel A good place to have a drink and a feed on Thursday Island. Pub · ★ 4.3 · 0k 🕐 Opens soon · 11 AM

Island Rooster Uncle Frankie's Thursday Island Highly recommended when you're hungry on Thursday island. Takeout Restaurant · ★ 4 · 0k

Peddells Thursday Island Tours Good journey to Thursday Island Travel · ★ 4.3 · 0k

Waibene IBIS Supermarket Have upgraded in the variety of their stock's quality and quantity🙏🏾👏🏾👏🏾👏🏾 Grocery store · ★ 4.2 · 0k 🕐 Open · Closes 6 PM

Gab Titui Cultural Centre Onsite services Tourist attraction · ★ 4.4 · 0k

TI Motel Torres Strait TI motel is probably the best accommodation in the island. Motel · ★ 4.8 · 0k

MA.KAi Good spot to get something to eat and drink on Thursday Island. Coffee shop · ★ 4.5 · 0k

Thursday Island You can get water taxis to other islands with the locals permission. Island · ★ 4.6 · 0k

Thursday Island Bowls Club Best kept secret on Thursday Island. Lawn bowls club · ★ 4.5 · 0k 🕐 Closed · Opens 4:30 PM

Waibene Mitre 10 Fantastic manager and staff, incredibly helpful & always smiling. Hardware store · ★ 4.5 · 0k 🕐 Open · Closes 5 PM

Island Stars cultural experience/Cafe gallery Amazing memories from this beautiful and unique TI experience. Cultural center · ★ 4.8 · 0k

Tamwoy IBIS Supermarket Everything we wanted for self catering was here Grocery store · ★ 4.1 · 0k 🕐 Open · Closes 6 PM

Mona's Bazaar Islander clothing and souvenirs. Gift shop · ★ 4.7 · 0k 🕐 Open · Closes 5:30 PM

Rosehill IBIS Supermarket Lovely staff and friendly. Supermarket · ★ 4.1 · 0k 🕐 Open · Closes 6 PM

Torres Strait Tours and Heritage Museum Lots of history on the island for wwII enthusiasts. Tourist attraction · ★ 4.6 · 0k

Horn Island Jetty The new one is for the ferry's. Tourist attraction · ★ 4.6 · 0k

Torres Strait Eco Adventures I did an Thursday Island, Inner Island, and a Prince of wales tour. Tour agency · ★ 4.8 · 0k

Anzac Park Dogs allowed·Picnic tables·Playground City park · ★ 3.8 · 0k

Bobby’s Snack Bar Best food ever, 1000% recommend, just wish it opens more Fast Food · ★ 4.4 · 0k

Thursday Island Betta In-store shopping·Curbside pickup·Delivery Appliance store · ★ 4.2 · 0k 🕐 Open · Closes 5:30 PM

Thursday Island Hospital Hospital · ★ 5 · 0k 🕐 Open now

R & F Self Service Store The shop has a variety of items, prices were reasonable for the location. Shopping mall · ★ 3.8 · 0k 🕐 Open · Closes 5 PM

Island Stars Cultural Tours, Cafe & Art Gallery Great coffee and the crayfish toastee was fantastic. Tourist attraction · ★ 5 · 0k 🕐 Open now

Col Jones Best but expensive Department store · ★ 4.3 · 0k 🕐 Open · Closes 5:30 PM

Strait Experience Friday Island Pearl Farm and Island Stars are fantastic attractions. Travel agency · ★ 4.8 · 0k

Lions Lookout Views over to Horn Island and the eastern islands of the Torres Strait. Tourist attraction · ★ 4.3 · 0k

Green Hill Lookout The near 360 degree views around the island are worth it. Tourist attraction · ★ 4.8 · 0k

Thursday Island Wind Turbines Pretty cool to walk up the hill and check them out Hiking area · ★ 4.8 · 0k

Sadie's Beach Tourist attraction · ★ 4 · 0k

TAB Off track betting shop · ★ 4.8 · 0k

Scenic point Well maintained part of the island and esplanade. Scenic spot · ★ 5 · 0k 🕐 Open now

Pearl Island Seafoods Highly recommended if you are on the island its quality and delicious! Seafood wholesaler · ★ 5 · 0k

Tribal Boutique Nice range of handcrafted products with local flavor. Fashion accessories store · ★ 5 · 0k 🕐 Open · Closes 5 PM

Laifoo’s Family and friends really enjoyed it. Convenience store · ★ 5 · 0k 🕐 Closed · Opens 8 PM

The Federal Hotel Tap beer is very cheap, for example, $7 for a schooner of XXXX gold. Bar · ★ 3.5 · 0k

Lion’s Lookout Walk Hiking area · ★ 5 · 0k

Opening hours are indicative — always confirm before you go. Travel times are estimates from Google Maps.

Next Departures from Thursday Island, Queensland

About Thursday Island, Queensland

Thursday Island stands as a fascinating port of call in Far North Queensland, where four premium cruise lines including Viking Ocean Cruises, Oceania Cruises, PONANT EXPLORATIONS, and Silversea bring discerning travelers to this remote tropical destination. With 38 upcoming cruises and an average voyage length of 16 nights, this port serves as a key stop on routes connecting Australia's northern regions to Southeast Asia, offering sailings to Darwin, Cairns, Singapore, and Bali. Peak travel seasons center around the warmer months of February, March, and the spring shoulder season of September through December.

Stepping ashore on Thursday Island, cruise passengers discover a unique blend of Indigenous culture, maritime heritage, and pearling industry history. The island's compact size makes it ideal for independent exploration, while the relaxed tropical atmosphere and colorful local character provide a refreshing contrast to busier cruise ports. Whether you're seeking cultural insights, scenic walks, or simply soaking in the authentic charm of Australia's remote north, Thursday Island delivers an intimate cruising experience that larger ports simply cannot match.

Indigenous Torres Strait Culture

Immerse yourself in the rich heritage of the Torres Strait Islander people at the Thursday Island Museum, showcasing traditional artifacts, pearl diving history, and contemporary indigenous art. Learn about the unique cultural traditions that have thrived in these waters for thousands of years, and interact with local artisans selling authentic crafts and boomerangs directly from the port.

Fresh Seafood at Local Markets

Experience Thursday Island's fishing heritage at the vibrant local markets where vendors sell freshly caught barramundi, mud crabs, and tropical fish. Visit waterfront restaurants serving authentic Australian seafood prepared with island flair, or grab takeaway from casual eateries offering fish and chips with spectacular harbor views.

Scenic Walks and Island Views

Trek to the summit of Green Hill for panoramic vistas across the Torres Strait toward Papua New Guinea, or stroll the picturesque waterfront promenade lined with historic colonial buildings. The island's compact size makes scenic exploration manageable within your port hours, with lush tropical vegetation framing every corner.

Pearl and Souvenir Shopping

Browse Thursday Island's specialty shops for authentic South Sea pearls, the region's most prized export, along with indigenous artwork and locally-made souvenirs. The main shopping district near the port offers everything from pearl jewelry to Aboriginal dot paintings and boomerangs crafted by island artisans.

Historic Pearl Diving Heritage

Discover Thursday Island's fascinating pearling industry at heritage sites and museums documenting the dangerous diving operations that shaped the region. Learn about the multicultural workforce—including Japanese, Malay, and Filipino divers—who built this unique island community, with stories preserved in local exhibitions and guided tours available from the port.