Torres Strait QLD, Australia Overview
THIS EXPEDITION WAS FIRST DELIVERED IN 2021. SINCE THEN WE HAVE DECIDED TO REMOVE IT FROM OUR PORTFOLIO DUE TO THE EXTREMELY UNFORTUNATE PASSING OF OUR GOOD FRIEND AND EXPEDITION GUIDE, DENNE BOURKE. THIS PAGE REMAINS HERE AS A TESTIMONY TO THE MAGIC HE HELPED CREATE. R.I.P. LEGEND.
Our EXTREME DREAMS: TORRES STRAIT expedition is a one-of-a-kind, pioneering, raw adventure in untamed sea country. It's not for the faint-hearted and not everything will go to plan. What we can guarantee is a true 'Robinson Crusoe' style adventure.
After flying into Horn Island, we start the expedition at the northernmost point in Australia, the tip of Cape York, and set off in two outrigger canoes to explore the archipelago of Southern Torres Islands, camp on beaches under a tapestry of stars, and supplement our food stores with whatever we can harvest from the ocean en route (crocodile isn't very good to eat don't worry).
For the first half of the expedition, we'll hone the art of paddling outrigger canoes in the comfortable waters around the southern islands, before (weather/ocean/tidal conditions permitting) embarking on a crossing to the Western Torres Strait island of Badu, just 80km from the mainland of Papua New Guinea.
Working closely with the local Torres Strait Islander communities, we'll learn about their deep spiritual and cultural connection to the land and ocean, cook Kup Murri on the beach and witness rarely visited sacred sites, all with the blessing of the Traditional Owners.
My ever-lasting memories during my time as the Caretaker of the Islands of the Great Barrier Reef during the Best Job in the World are from my visit to the Torres Strait islands. The deeply cultural island communities have the appearance more of Pacific Islanders than Australian Aboriginals, they engage in warm conversation with strangers, and have deep pride in their history. For these and a million other reasons, I created the expedition to share the experience with others. I still remember the deep belly laughter, community gatherings, palm leaf weaving under the trees and the best view I've ever experienced from a toilet seat.
This expedition has been completed once before, by our Venturer Team in 2021, so our itinerary may, and probably will change. It's an unscripted adventure, the kind that challenges you and has more unknowns than most people can stomach. It’s a different kind of travel, and we think more people should experience it.
No previous experience in outrigger canoes is necessary. We will all start this adventure as novices and end up as salty sea dogs. Best Life Adventures will arrange a couple of taster sessions around SE Queensland in the run-up to the expedition proper.
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NUMBERS - We need 10 people to ensure this expedition goes ahead - no more, no less. If you get in too late and miss out, we'll add you to the waitlist but don't expect people to give up their place easily. This will be epic.
INSURANCE - We highly recommend taking out personal travel insurance within seven days of booking this expedition. It will ensure you are covered if things go pear-shaped on your side even before the expedition begins including cover for lost baggage, flight disruption or cancellation, broken gear or personal health or injury.
Arrive Horn Island - transfer to Thursday Island
DAY 1
Location : Horn Island, Horn QLD, Australia
Our Extreme Dreams: Torres Strait expedition kicks off today so make sure you get to Horn Island in time for our initial briefing.
If you're flying in from South East Queensland, you can make the journey in one day. Our recommendation for travel is as follows:
- Depart Brisbane on an early morning flight into Cairns
- Have a dip in the lagoon pool and an early lunch somewhere in the city
- Catch the 13:20 Qantas Link flight from Cairns into Horn Island, which arrives at 15:05
- Meet us at Horn Island airport for the bus ride to the ferry, and transfer to Thursday Island.
- Check into your accommodation with us on Thursday Island
As the sun sets on our day we'll have a pre-expedition briefing where you meet your fellow adventurers, get the latest information on the adventure you're about to embark on, get bags packed and prepared, and feast on an early dinner.
Tomorrow we embark on something that's only been done once before. It's time for your Extreme Dream to become real.
Expedition Day One: Paddle Thursday Island to Zuna Island
DAY 2
Location : Zuna Island, Prince of Wales QLD, Australia
After a hearty breakfast, we head to the outrigger club to familiarise ourselves with your canoes, gear and our fantastic steerers for the next few days, Rees and Denne.
With the support vessel by our side, we head across the channel from Thursday Island towards Zuna Island, 16km to the south.
After a full session on the water, we pull the canoes onto the sandy beach, settle into our island-style accommodation and watch the locals cook up a feast to refuel our aching bodies. Sunset in the Torres Strait is always a quick, colourful affair.
EXPEDITION DAY TWO: TRIP TO THE TIP
DAY 3
It's an early start today with a big journey ahead.
With our outrigger canoes safely secured on Zuna Island, we jump in the support boat and make for the northernmost point of the Australian mainland - the tip of Cape York, via our overnight accommodation at Roko Island, famed for its historic pearl farm and friendly hospitality.
Once we've walked to the most northerly point on the Australian mainland, and with the obligatory photos out of the way, it's time to take to the water and return to Roko Island via Punsands Resort for a cool afternoon beer before we continue the expedition proper.
We overnight on Roko Island in safari-style tents, drop a line in the water at the end of the most picturesque jetty and watch the sun set on another epic day.
EXPEDITION DAY THREE: ZUNA TO MURALAG ISLAND
DAY 4
Today is A BIG day on the water for the next part of our Extreme Dreams: Torres Strait expedition.
We return to Zuna Island to collect the canoes and start a 25km paddle around the exposed southern tip of Prince of Wales Island (or Muralag to the locals) with over 700km of open Arafura Sea to the west, and Arnhem Land the next landmass WAAAAAY off in the distance.
At the end of the mission, we pull into our secluded and beautiful Irriki Camp at Banfield Bay, where we spend the next two nights.
Hammock time.
EXPEDITION DAY FOUR: SACRED SPRINGS TREK
DAY 5
After three days on the water we swap paddles for walking shoes, and head on a full-day trek to the rarely visited sacred springs on the higher ground of Muralag Island.
Today we learn about the local's seafaring historical journey around the islands, their connection to sea-country and share yarns as the Kup Murri bakes in the sand. Who knows what's for dinner? Just close your eyes and give it a go. Our local crew aim to fill our bellies with a variety of ocean delights, from seasonal crayfish to kingfish and mackerel. Whatever they catch, fish is the order of the day,
We spend the night under the She-Oaks on the beach at Irriki Camp.
EXPEDITION DAY FIVE: MURALAG TO FRIDAY ISLAND
DAY 6
Location : Friday Island, Torres Strait QLD, Australia
Our seafaring expedition continues as we skirt the western side of Muralag and eventually cross the channel towards Friday Island, for an overnight on the beach, and a destination only the locals know about.
The sun sets into the ocean as the campsite looks due west.
EXPEDITION DAY SIX: FRIDAY TO MURALAG, VIA GOODS ISLAND
DAY 7
Location : Goods Island, Torres Strait QLD, Australia
We start early today, with a big day ahead punctuated by some downtime to learn from the locals. Our first stop is the famous Kazu Pearl Farm to learn about the ancient craft of pearl farming and sample some of their sashimi delights.
Our plan from here is to head north and circumnavigate Goods Island to find a suitable place to lay our heads for our final night of remote camping. We have to watch the weather closely here before deciding on our final destination, as a combination of heavy wind and strong currents make paddling fruitless, to a point where even the strongest crew will find themselves heading backwards until full steam.
Whatever happens, it'll be a raw, stripped-back adventure where our physical fitness, finely-tuned compass, and pure pioneering adventurous spirit will get us to the finish line for the day.
EXPEDITION DAY SEVEN: THURSDAY TO BADU ISLAND (conditions permitting)
DAY 8
Location : Badu Island, Queensland, Australia
Our final morning in the canoes requires a mighty head of steam to power across one of the most tidal channels in the Torres Strait, our destination back to the outrigger club HQ on Thursday Island.
Once we've patted each other on the backs, washed and packed all of our gear and boats, it's time for coffee and lunch before we jump into our support vessels and make for Badu Island, an hours boat ride away in the central islands of the Torres Strait.
Our hosts for the next two days are the magnificent community of Badu, where our beach camp provides the perfect location to rest our aching limbs, and refresh with locally caught and cooked food including a traditional Kup Murri set to the backdrop of ridiculously colourful sunsets.
We overnight on the beach in our own tents.
EXPEDITION DAY EIGHT: BADU ISLAND
DAY 9
Location : Mabuiag Island, Queensland, Australia
We spend the day exploring the community and the Community Centre where we discover the famous style of lino print.
We overnight back at our beach camp for a final farewell feast.
TRAVEL TO HORN ISLAND
DAY 10
Location : Horn Island, Horn QLD, Australia
Today is the final day of our adventure together so it's an early start to get everyone back to Horn Island in time for the first flight to Cairns, the 10:55 departure.
Weather dependant - this part of the trip is totally fluid and may well change.
Feel free to stay longer and explore the other outer Torres Strait islands - I can personally vouch for the magnificent Masig, Poruma and the bizarre-looking Croissant Island
