| The Torres Strait Islands are a group of 200+ small
islands which lie in Torres Strait.
The islands are part of Queensland,
with a special status fitting the native (Melanesian) land rights,
administered by the Torres
Strait Regional Authority.
NATURAL WORLD
The islands are distributed across the Strait from Australia's
Cape York to Papua
New Guinea. The archipelago is approximately 150 kilometers
at the narrowest point and extends some 200-300 kilometers from
east to west.
The Torres Strait itself was formerly a land bridge which was most
submerged about 12,000 years ago, forming the Strait which now connects
the Arafura and Coral seas. Many of the western islands are the
remaining peaks of this land bridge.
INDIGENOUS PEOPLE
Although a quirk of history threw these islands into Australian
territory, the indigenous Torres Strait Islanders are Melanesians,
racially and culturally related to the peoples of Papua
New Guinea. The blue, green and white Torres Strait Island flag
features the dari, a feathered headdress that symbolises peace and
unity.
Gab Titui Cultural Centre takes visitors on a journey through time.
Torres Strait Islander guides share their local knowledge through
personal tours. The centre is located on Thursday Island at the
corner of Victoria Parade and Blackall Street.
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