| Tourism > Australia > Queensland > Torres Strait Islands Torres Strait Islands Tourism About the Torres Strait Islands RegionThe Torres Strait Islands are a group of at least 274 small islands which lie in Torres Strait, the waterway separating far northern continental Australia's Cape York Peninsula and the island of New Guinea. They are part of Queensland, a constituent State of the Commonwealth of Australia, with a special status fitting the native (Melanesian) land rights, administered by the Torres Strait Regional Authority.
The islands are distributed across an area of some 48,000 km˛. The distance across the Strait from Cape York to New Guinea is approximately 150 km at the narrowest point; the islands lie scattered in between, extending some 200-300 km from furthest east to furthest west.
The Torres Strait itself was formerly a land bridge which connected the present-day Australian continent with New Guinea. This land bridge was most recently submerged by rising sea levels at the termination of the last ice age glaciation (approximately 12,000 years ago), forming the Strait which now connects the Arafura and Coral seas. Many of the western Torres Strait Islands are the remaining peaks of this land bridge which were not submerged when the ocean levels rose. The Torres Strait Islands may be grouped into five distinct clusters, which exhibit differences of geology and formation as well as location.
The islands and their surrounding waters and reefs provide a highly diverse set of land and marine ecosystems, with niches for many rare or unique species. Marine animals of the islands include dugongs, as well as Green, Hawksbill and Flatback sea turtles.
The Torres Strait is home to numerous birds, including the Pied Imperial-pigeon, which is seen as the iconic national emblem to the islanders. List of Towns in the Torres Strait Islands RegionClick on any town name in the following list to display historical, geographical and tourism related information for the town selected. Last Minute Accommodation in the Torres Strait Islands RegionSearch for last minute accommodation in Torres Strait Islands.
** We offer accommodation globally. Be sure to enter the Country and the City of your choice before you begin your search. Available Accommodation in the Torres Strait Islands RegionIf you're looking for a great deal over the course of the next year in the Torres Strait Islands region then click here to book a bargain up to 365 days from now. Any bookings are confirmed via email immediately. Tours in the Torres Strait Islands RegionAn extensive range of tours and travel packages for Torres Strait Islands can be searched, booked and confirmed immediately online by clicking here. Car Hire in the Torres Strait Islands RegionIf you're looking to hire a car, sports car, luxury car, motorhome, campervan, motorbike or truck in the Torres Strait Islands then click here for fantastic bargains. Cancellations.com.auBookmark Cancellations.com.au for all your Australian and international travel needs:  | Last minute accommodation at bargain prices (up to 70% off retail prices). | | Discounted accommodation bookable up to a year in advance (up to 60% off retail prices). | | Boutique accommodation. | | Last minute room cancellations ... re-listed and priced to sell. | | Cheap flights from Qantas, Virgin Blue, Jetstar and others. | | Discounted car rentals, luxury cars, sports cars, wedding cars, limosines, motorhomes, campervans, motorcycles, motorbikes, 4WDs, commercial trucks and more from the leading car hire companies Avis, Budget, Eurocar and others. | | Travel packages, travel specials and tours. | | Travel insurance (for peace of mind). |
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