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Horn Island is one of the populated Torres Strait Islands. with nearly 600 residents and an area of 53 km2.

Understand

Gold mining in the 19th Century lead to an influx of the British. In the 20th century the area prospered due to the pearling industry. Horn was a military base during the World War II and heavily attacked by the Japanese. All islander were evacuated. Today the islanders are back.

Horn is the air gateway to the area, especially to the neighbouring Thursday Island - the major administrative centre of the island group.

Get in

Horn Island Airport (HID IATA) has a small terminal, with indoor and outdoor waiting areas. There is a free phone there to contact both accommodation options, both ferry operators, and the island taxi. There is a small kiosk that sells confectionery and drinks.

  • Qantaslink. Multiple daily Dash-8 flights to Cairns

From Thursday Island, there are two scheduled ferry operators with regular daytime passenger services. You can take a tour of Horn and Thursday Islands from the mainland at Seisia.

Get around

Car rental is available from the Wongai Beach Hotel, they charge $132/day plus 20c per km travelled.

See

  • Horn Island WW2 Museum, Horn Island/Ngurubai, +61 7 4090 3333. A privately owned museum with extensive war collections, photos and local history including the pearling industry. If you are genuinely interested in the history here, there is enough reading to keep you occupied for several hours. The museum is split into WWII history, and island history. A good introduction to the Torres Strait Islands.
  • Horn Island WWII tours. tours of WW2 sites around Horn Island (takes around 1 1/2 hours), with entry to the museum included. Minimum numbers required, so you will need to book and confirm ahead. $36, or around $70 including an asian buffet lunch,.

Do

Buy

There are ATMs in the supermarket and the Wongai Hotel. The supermarket and the hotels both accept credit cards with no surcharge. The ferry accepts cash on board, but you can book on their website 24 hours in advance and pay by credit card.

There are very few other places to spend your money.

Eat

There is a cafe (of sorts) in the supermarket, that sells breakfast, lunch and coffee.

The Wongai Hotel serves lunch and dinner every day, with a limited range on any day, but specials depending on the day.

If you let the time go past 8pm without organising dinner, your choice will be limited to chips or peanuts from behind the bar.

Drink

Sleep

There are two accommodation options on the island. Both offer motel style rooms, air conditioning, swimming pool, and are within 5 minutes walk of the wharf. The Wongai has nice gardens, with the owner an avid gardener. The attached pub is the centre of a small social scene on the island. The Gateway hosts the museum, and has an open air bar area surrounding the pool.

Connect

There is good 3G reception in all settled areas of the island and the airport. Wi-Fi is offered at the Wongai Beach hotel for a charge.

Go next

Horn Island is a hub for aviation in the Torres Strait Islands. Easiest next hop is the ferry over to Thursday Island. To head off the beaten track, get your permit from the Aboriginal Lands Council, and contact West Wing for your flight.

This city travel guide to Horn Island is a usable article. It has information on how to get there and on restaurants and hotels. An adventurous person could use this article, but please feel free to improve it by editing the page.