Horne & Thursday Islands

On Friday 22 we went on a cruise to the above Islands.  This date was a memorable date as on 22 August 1770 Cook claimed this content for England.  The plaque below on "Possession Island" marks the place where he landed and made this declaration.

Horne Island was used as an army base during WWII,  there was a lot of WWII information, photos etc.

Neil with a replica of the "Great Chief" of Horne Island who declared that all his people follow the Christian ways they were taught by the missionaries. (The natives were head hunters)

Frangipani tree in garden,  the perfume was so sweet and delicate.

Wharf at Horne Island and the boat we travelled in.  There were about 10 of us.

We then went to Thursday Island,  the views were just magic,  Our tour guide was a local called "Frank Cook" who lectures at university,  he drove us around in a 12 seater mini bus.  There are 137 Torres Strait Islands with only 18 inhabited.  Population 10,000, 4 languages spoken, 60% of the secondary students go on to uni,  there is a primary, secondary, tafe and uni on Thursday Island.

Defence was setup during the late 1800's for fear of invasion from Russia.

We lunched Australia's most northern pub - fish, chip and salad.

This croc was waiting for us when we returned to Seisia.

Bamaga, Seisia and surrounds
Two crocs sunbaking on the sand opposite the wharf at Seisia.

Sunset over Loyalty Beach - Neil dancing!

Seisia wharf

Shop at Loyalty Beach. We stayed here for 4 nights (from 21 August)

Neil on pier

WWII plane wreck

fuel barrels left from WWII, as a base was at Bamaga.

Wreck from WWII

"The Tip" of Australia  -  we made it!

Arrived at Punsand Bay on 18 August (Monday) and stayed 3 nights.  This park is 7km from "The Tip" at the very top of Australia.  This is the view of the beach from our camp site.  Two of the couples we travelled the OTT with also stayed here.

Sunset from our tent over the beach.

The tip of Australia just before sunrise

Sunrise over the tip 19th August (Tuesday)

On Tuesday 19th August we headed off  - Neil, Peter and Deb (couple we travelled OTT with on our way to "The Tip"

View from track leading to the tip.

Hard to read,  but Melbourne is 3rd from top.

We arrived! About 11am we reached the top!

Took lots of photos!

Arafura Sea and the last bit of our continent.

We then travelled the 4 wheel drive track to Sommerset Beach and 5 Headland track with Peter and Deb.  The beaches are so beautiful but full of rubbish that comes in from the sea.

Sand track that we had to travel, tyre pressure down to 20psi.