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 Straightforward hotel with a restaurant Restaurant · ★ 4.1 · 0k

Wongai Beach Hotel Service friendly and very welcoming, food portions huge and delicious! Restaurant · ★ 4.2 · 0k

Green Hill Fort Tourist attraction · ★ 4.6 · 0k

Torres Hotel Dine-in·Takeout·No delivery Pub · ★ 4.3 · 0k Closed · Opens 11 AM

Island Rooster Uncle Frankie's Thursday Island Dine-in·Takeout·No delivery Takeout Restaurant · ★ 4 · 0k Closed · Opens 7 AM

Peddells Thursday Island Tours Great fun ride with amazing views on the way Travel · ★ 4.4 · 0k Closed · Opens 9 AM

Waibene IBIS Supermarket Onsite services Grocery store · ★ 4.2 · 0k Closed · Opens 8 AM

Jardine Motel Motel · ★ 3 · 0k

Gab Titui Cultural Centre Onsite services Tourist attraction · ★ 4.5 · 0k Closed · Opens 9 AM

MA.KAi Dine-in·Takeout·No delivery Coffee shop · ★ 4.4 · 0k Closed · Opens 6:30 AM

TI Motel Torres Strait Motel · ★ 4.8 · 0k

Thursday Island Island · ★ 4.6 · 0k

See Hop Trading General store · ★ 3.5 · 0k Temporarily closed

Island Stars cultural experience/Cafe gallery absolute must-do when visiting Thursday Island! Cultural center · ★ 4.8 · 0k Closed · Opens 6 AM

Thursday Island Bowls Club Fantastic views Friendly local staff Cold drinks Fresh food A real oasis Lawn bowls club · ★ 4.5 · 0k Closed · Opens 4:30 PM Wed

Waibene Mitre 10 In-store pickup·Delivery Hardware store · ★ 4.5 · 0k Closed · Opens 7:30 AM

Tamwoy IBIS Supermarket Onsite services Grocery store · ★ 4.1 · 0k Closed · Opens 8 AM

The Bottle-O Onsite services Liquor store · ★ 3.6 · 0k Closed · Opens 10 AM

Mona's Bazaar Onsite services Gift shop · ★ 4.7 · 0k Closed · Opens 8:30 AM

Rosehill IBIS Supermarket In-store shopping Supermarket · ★ 4.1 · 0k Closed · Opens 8 AM

Torres Strait Tours and Heritage Museum Tourist attraction · ★ 4.7 · 0k Closed · Opens 9 AM

Horn Island Jetty Tourist attraction · ★ 4.5 · 0k

Thursday Island Betta In-store shopping·Curbside pickup·Delivery Appliance store · ★ 4.2 · 0k Closed · Opens 8:30 AM

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 Closed · Opens 8:30 AM Tue

Thursday Island Hospital They deserve all 5 gold star 🌟 🌟 🌟 🌟 🌟 and some. Hospital · ★ 5 · 0k

R & F Self Service Store Onsite services Shopping mall · ★ 3.9 · 0k Closed · Opens 9 AM

Green Hill Lookout Tourist attraction · ★ 4.9 · 0k

Island Stars Cultural Tours, Cafe & Art Gallery Tourist attraction · ★ 5 · 0k

Col Jones In-store shopping Department store · ★ 4.3 · 0k Closed · Opens 8:30 AM

Ti Bulk Meats Butcher shop · ★ 4.9 · 0k Closed · Opens 8:30 AM

Lions Lookout Good historical place for a short trek around Thursday Island Tourist attraction · ★ 4.4 · 0k

Strait Experience Travel agency · ★ 4.8 · 0k Closed · Opens 9 AM

Torres Strait Museum and Historical Society Association Tourist attraction · ★ 4.3 · 0k

Thursday Island Wind Turbines Hiking area · ★ 4.8 · 0k

Sadie's Beach Tourist attraction · ★ 4.2 · 0k

TAB Off track betting shop · ★ 4.8 · 0k Closed · Opens 10 AM

Scenic point Scenic spot · ★ 5 · 0k

The Federal Hotel Dine-in·No delivery Bar · ★ 3.7 · 0k

The Coffee Department Coffee stand · ★ 4.7 · 0k Temporarily closed

Bayo Beach Tourist attraction · ★ 5 · 0k

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

Tribal Boutique Fashion accessories store · ★ 5 · 0k Closed · Opens 9 AM

Little Beach Beach · ★ 5 · 0k

Shiba's Dine-in·Curbside pickup·No-contact delivery Cafe · ★ 4 · 0k Closed · Opens 8 AM

Laifoo’s Convenience store · ★ 5 · 0k Closed · Opens 8 PM

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.