Perched at the top of Australia in the Torres Strait, Thursday Island packs a remarkable history — pearling boom, WWII defenses, and one of the country's most distinct Indigenous cultures — into just 3.5 square kilometres.
Thursday Island is a tender-only port — ships anchor offshore and ferry passengers to the Engineers Jetty right at the edge of town.
💡 Pro move: There is no public bus on the island. Taxis are very limited. Walking covers most attractions; book the guided bus tour for the fort and cemetery.
All cruise ships use tenders at Thursday Island — there is no deep-water cruise berth.
| Cruise Line | Typical Berth / Arrival | Dock or Tender |
|---|---|---|
| Most cruise lines | Engineers Jetty, Thursday Island town📍 | Tendered |
| Expedition vessels | Engineers Jetty📍 | Tendered |
Thursday Island's excursions range from immersive cultural encounters to WWII battlefield tours on neighbouring Horn Island.
The Torres Strait's premier cultural showcase features wood carvings, linocut prints, elaborate dhari headdresses, and pearl-shell jewellery. The centre tells the story of a Melanesian seafaring culture distinct from mainland Aboriginal Australia.
Find cultural tour packages →Built in the 1890s to guard against feared Russian invasion, the fort's massive 6-inch guns still point out to sea. Beneath it, a network of tunnels houses a museum covering TI's military history and the pearling era.
Find Green Hill Fort tours →A short ferry hop to neighbouring Horn Island reveals Australia's most bombed airbase. The Vanessa Seekee Museum, wartime airstrips, anti-aircraft emplacements, and bomb craters tell the story of the Pacific War's front line.
Find Horn Island WWII tours →The go-to option for time-limited cruise passengers: a 1-hour air-conditioned circuit of TI's key sights — fort, cemetery, Japanese pearlers' graves, waterfront — with expert local commentary.
Book island bus tours →A peaceful walk along the island's eastern shore to Dead Man's Beach for views over the Torres Strait. Note: swimming is not safe due to saltwater crocodiles and marine stingers year-round.
Find coastal walking tours →The compact town is very walkable from the jetty; longer attractions like the fort and cemetery require a 25-minute uphill walk or the Peddells bus.
From Engineers Jetty, stroll along Victoria Parade past the Grand Hotel waterfront deck, then up to Douglas Street for the Cultural Centre, Quetta Memorial Cathedral, and the main shops and cafes.
A 1.5 km walk south from the jetty brings you to Thursday Island Cemetery, where rows of Japanese headstones mark the graves of young pearl divers lost to the bends and shark attacks in the late 1800s. A moving and historically unique site.
🗺️ See full route in Maps →Climate normals for Thursday Island, Queensland, Australia (2014–2023 averages). Pack for the month you sail — highs, lows, and how many rainy days to expect.
| Month | Avg High | Avg Low | Rainy Days | Sunrise | Sunset |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jan | 88°F / 31°C | 77°F / 25°C | 5 | 6:20 AM | 7:00 PM |
| Feb | 87°F / 31°C | 77°F / 25°C | 4 | 6:32 AM | 6:58 PM |
| Mar | 87°F / 31°C | 78°F / 26°C | 4 | 6:35 AM | 6:44 PM |
| Apr | 87°F / 31°C | 78°F / 26°C | 2 | 6:35 AM | 6:26 PM |
| May | 87°F / 31°C | 77°F / 25°C | 1 | 6:38 AM | 6:16 PM |
| Jun | 86°F / 30°C | 76°F / 24°C | 0 | 6:46 AM | 6:16 PM |
| Jul | 85°F / 29°C | 75°F / 24°C | 0 | 6:50 AM | 6:23 PM |
| Aug | 85°F / 29°C | 74°F / 23°C | 0 | 6:43 AM | 6:28 PM |
| Sep | 87°F / 31°C | 76°F / 24°C | 0 | 6:25 AM | 6:27 PM |
| Oct | 88°F / 31°C | 77°F / 25°C | 0 | 6:07 AM | 6:26 PM |
| Nov | 90°F / 32°C | 79°F / 26°C | 0 | 5:57 AM | 6:33 PM |
| Dec | 90°F / 32°C | 79°F / 26°C | 2 | 6:04 AM | 6:48 PM |
Source: Meteostat (10-yr monthly averages)
Transport options from the pier — taxis, shuttles, transit passes, and whether ride-share apps work here.
Ships tender directly to Engineers Jetty in the heart of town. The entire town centre is immediately walkable from the pier.
Thursday Island's compact town is easily explored on foot. Main sights — the museum, cemetery, and foreshore — are all within a short walk of the jetty.
Local taxis (Laifoo's, Silver Leaf, TI Taxi Association) available for trips to Green Hill Fort and other island sites. No rideshare apps operate here.
Rebel Tours offers a flat AUD $10 pick-up or drop-off anywhere on Thursday Island — a convenient, affordable option for short hops.
90-minute scenic and historic bus tour covering Green Hill Fort (military & maritime museum) and the Japanese Pearl Divers Memorial — the most popular shore excursion option.
Upcoming cruises that call at Thursday Island, Queensland, Australia. Dates, prices, and ports of call change — always confirm with the cruise line before booking.
Itineraries and prices change — always confirm with the cruise line before booking. Some links are affiliate links that may earn us a commission at no extra cost to you.