Visit to Thursday Island July 2009
It is a pretty place - lovely surrounding waters and islands and lots of old buildings in the commercial centre. The reason for its existence is almost entirely administrative. Lots of commonwealth, state and local government offices, it's the centre for the churches and health services for the Torres Strait area.
Industry seemed to be limited to some fishing, a cultured pearl farm, some tourist facilities and some shops. The Torres Strait pilots are based there as well. Overall it seemed quite poor and many buildings in need of some paint, but it was clean and tidy.
You get there via the airport on adjacent Horn Island. There is a bus and ferry service from there to the island - no need to book.
The people are very friendly and there seem to be no racial barriers - indeed a place of much racial mixture.
Good eating places were Jardine's Motel and the cafe at the cultural centre.
Morning by the beach
From Green Hill fort.
South from Green Hill fort.- Pan and zoom version below.
Street scene
The Anglican church
The former courthouse - now part of James Cook University.
A tropical crayfish
Russians beware - Queensland's 19th C. defences
The Japanese diver's cemetery - the Japanese government helps with money
for maintenance
Its not a beach resort.
The cultural centre
Street scene
Old building
Street scene
Anglican church hall
Anglican church residency
A fisherman's house
Catholic church
A slipway from the time of the pearlers
An old-timer
Royal Flying Doctor Base on adjacent Horn Island