Bamaga (and Seisia)
The most northerly town in Australia.
Located 61 km north of the Jardine River and 983 km north of Cairns Bamaga is the most northern township in Queensland. It is an isolated settlement of some 2000 people, most of whom are Torres Strait Islanders. Facilities are limited and supplies are either shipped or flown in.

Nonetheless this has not stopped the 4WD brigade. There has been a steady increase in the numbers of such vehicles and a growing obsession with travelling around Australia. This usually means skirting around the perimeter of the continent. Indeed the Northern Land Council in the Northern Territory constantly gets requests from drivers eager to travel through Arnhem Land just so they can say they've been around the edges of Australia.

Consequently there is a constant supply of vehicles trekking up the Cape York Peninsula to Bamaga. It is estimated that between 400 and 500 vehicles make the journey each year, even though the roads are impassible in the wet season. There is a sense of cameraderie which develops along the route with drivers eager to help each other out when they inevitably get bogged or stuck in the middle of a river.

The shared experience has led to a sort of shared joke amongst the 4WD enthusiasts. When asked what they did when they arrived at Bamaga after their monumental journey they reply: 'We went to Thursday Island. There's nothing else to do.' While this is not entirely true it does highlight the fact that most people who travel to the tip of Cape York do so because it is one of those challenges which seem to be made meritorious by the simple fact of accomplishment.

Off the coast is Possession Island where Captain Cook formally took possession of the east coast of Australia in 1770.

Things to see:  

Torres Strait Tours [Click here and check out the Torres Strait Tours website]
No visit to Thursday Island and Bamaga is complete without spending time cruising around the islands. The pick of these cruises is undoubtedly Torres Strait Tours which operate a comfortable catamaran, the M.V Robert Henry and do regular trips to Thursday Island, Badu Island and Horn Island. This is an idyllic adventure.

Thursday Island
The Thursday Island option is described thus: "At Thursday Island you embark on a 2 hour air-conditioned bus tour taking in the island culture and visiting interesting historical sites, including Green Hill Fort with its abandoned bunkers and tunnels. Some of these tunnels are home to the Torres Strait Historical Museum. This unique and fascinating Museum holds rare artefacts from the rugged past of the Torres Straits, including displays from the pearling era, traditional relics from the Torres Strait Islands, nearby Papua New Guinea, and much more. Churches, over 100 years old, and Lions Lookout with its magnificent sweeping vistašs of the surrounding Islands and waters complete your formal tour. You then have free time to browse through the local shops to find an unusual, but typically Thursday Island, keepsake.

The Horn Island
The Horn Island tour is conducted with an expert guide, who is the curator and founder of the Heritage Museum on Horn Island. This tour is an experience not to be missed. You will be shown an often forgotten part of history, namely the role of Horn Island in the Second World War. Revel in the stories of the men and women who served here as recounted to your guide by the veterans themselves. The Heritage Museum also features a display of pearldiving memorabilia and Torres Strait art. Your bus tour includes warplane relics, an underground command post, an old gold mine commissioned in the 1860's and many scenic spots from which to admire the views.

Badu Island
This year is the first time Badu Island will be showing visitors around their Island. This tour is exclusive to Torres Strait Tours , and for a real taste of Island life and culture, it is not to be missed. Your visit to Badu Island, is one truly exceptional experience. Travel to Badu Island on the M.V. Robert Henry, and on the way you will be taken through various picturesque islands, sand cays, and past gleaming coral reefs. There is many opportunity to spot any one of Booby Birds, Torres Strait Pigeons or Green turtles.

Upon disembarking at Badu Island, you are taken back in time to real Island life, and although Badu island has the second largest population (after T.I.), the local people still retain their cultural heritage, and are extremely proud to show their place to anyone who takes the time to visit. You will be shown traditional arts and crafts, see traditional Island dances (in full island costume, including woven skirts, cassowary feathered headdresses and more), they will teach you some local songs and dances, and you will have a sumptious Island style lunch, complete with seafood and traditional foods, cooked "kup-mari" style (underground steam oven).

Check out the Torres Strait Tours website for all the information you require.

Somerset
The ruins of Somerset lie 22 km to the north of the settlement. Somerset was established in 1863 by John Jardine who had visions of the town eventually becoming a major port. Jardine had been appointed police magistrate and gold commissioner of Rockhampton in 1861 and in 1863 he became the government resident in Somerset.

While he had the good sense to sail up the coast his sons, Frank and Alexander, set off from Rockhampton to overland cattle to the new settlement. They departed on 14 May 1864 and arrived at Somerset on 2 March 1865. On the way they were harassed by Aborigines and spent most of their time hacking their way through jungles and traversing swamps. By the time they reached Somerset the 42 horses and 250 cattle they had started with had been reduced to 12 horses and 50 cattle.

Frank Jardine went on to marry Sana Solia, the niece of the King of Samoa, and when the settlement at Somerset was moved to Thursday Island in 1877 he stayed on as a kind of tropical lord holding elaborate banquets for any passing visitors. He died of leprosy in 1919.

Cape York
There is a dirt road to Cape York 32 km north of Bamaga which allows those who have made the long journey to stand on the northernmost point of the Australian mainland.

Seisia
6 km north of Bamaga, Seisia has an excellent foreshore camping area, a kiosk and service station. There is an information centre at the Seisia Camping Ground Office where, during the peak tourist season, the Seisia Island Dancers perform traditional dances. The fishing is said to be outstanding from the jetty and there are fishing excursions to the Jacky Jacky Estuary and the Jardine River. Tackle and bait is available at the camping ground which can also furnish a map highlighting the whereabouts of a number of World War II relics, including the wreck of a DC3. tel: (07) 4069 3243.

Thursday Island
There is daily access via a ferry which departs from the Seisia wharf. There are two bus companies which offer tours of the island, a motel, several hotels, a bank, a post office and numerous shops. The Torres Strait Cultural Festival is held every June.

Jardine River National Park
Truly a wilderness area the park covers 235 000 ha and has a wealth of birdlife. There are two primitive camping areas, though access is difficult. Tel: (07) 4060 3241 for further information.

	Tourist Information
	Bamaga Island Council Adidi St Bamaga QLD 4876 Telephone: (07) 4069 3211
	Seisia Camping Grounds Red Island Point Bamaga QLD 4876 Telephone: (07) 4069 3243
	Resorts
	Resort Bamaga Cnr Lui and Adidi Sts Bamaga QLD 4876 Telephone: (07) 4069 3050 Facsimile: (07) 4069 3653
	Lodges & Chalets
	Pajinka Wilderness Lodge 32 km north of Bamaga at the tip of Cape York Bamaga QLD 4876 Telephone: (07) 4050 4304
	Seisia Camping Ground & Seaview Lodge Red Island Point Bamaga QLD 4876 Telephone: (07) 4069 3243
	Restaurants
	Pajinka Wilderness Lodge Bamaga QLD 4876 Telephone: (07) 4050 4304
	Resort Bamaga The Paperbark Room Cnr Lui and Adidi Sts Bamaga QLD 4861 Telephone: (07) 4069 3653
	Seisia Camping Ground & Seaview Lodge Seisia Bamaga QLD 4876 Telephone: (07) 4069 3243