A new way to discover Australia’s most hidden region

At Australia’s northernmost point lies one of the country’s least explored and least known areas.

However, this is starting to change, thanks to local Indigenous business leaders like Fraser Nai.

The Torres Strait, made up of 247 islands at the northernmost edge of Queensland, near Papua New Guinea, is home to the Torres Strait Islanders, a mix of Aboriginal, Melanesian, and Australian heritage. One of the most renowned figures from the Torres Strait is NBA player Patty Mills, known for his career with the Brooklyn Nets.

The islands, many of which are volcanic, are surrounded by stunning turquoise waters, creating a breathtaking landscape. And now, thanks to a pioneering day trip from Cairns, the gateway to the Great Barrier Reef, it’s become a little easier for visitors from outside the Torres Strait to explore and experience this unique region.

"We’re not focused on tourism per se; our focus is on people. We just happen to offer tourism experiences as part of that," says Nai, co-founder of Straits Experiences, a locally owned and operated company that connects visitors with the Torres Strait.

A proud Torres Strait Islander, Nai’s family are the traditional custodians of Masig Island.

Having been involved in local governance for many years, Nai has seen firsthand how providing greater access to opportunities, especially in rural communities with limited job options and fewer industry opportunities, can spark profound change.

However, he’s also witnessed the rapid influx of tourists in Cairns and the Great Barrier Reef, leading to overcrowding and environmental damage. As a result, he’s striving to strike a balance.

By opening up tourism in the more remote areas of the Torres Strait, Nai believes it will create meaningful opportunities for young people. Yet, after observing how other destinations have handled tourism, he aims to make wise, sustainable choices that will benefit the region long-term.

They’re also focusing on one of the region’s most valuable resources – its people.

"We continue to operate according to our core values," he says. "Our priority is always to work closely with our community, our elders, and our leaders because, ultimately, this is about them."

The history of the Torres Strait Islanders has been shaped by adversity and resilience.

After European settlers arrived in Australia, violent and bloody conflicts, known as the 'Frontier Wars', erupted between them and the local Indigenous communities.

Indigenous children were forcibly removed from their families and placed in residential schools or with non-Indigenous households. The authorities at the time argued it was for the children's welfare, but it caused deep generational trauma for both the children and their families.

First Nations peoples were forbidden from speaking their native languages and were often relocated to reservations, far from their ancestral lands.

Today, only around 3% of Australia's population is Indigenous.

Since 1998, Australians have observed 'Sorry Day' on May 26 each year to acknowledge the injustices faced by Indigenous peoples and to seek reconciliation.

Straits Experiences offers a unique one-day tour called 'A Strait Day', which Nai describes as an immersive introduction to the local culture and history.

The day is long but rewarding. Guests board a charter flight from Cairns at 6:40 a.m. and head to Thursday Island, known as Waiben in the local tongue, the largest island in the Torres Strait.

A guide travels with the group on the flight, providing insights into the Torres Strait Islands’ people and land, including information about the stunning landscape and the economic challenges faced by the Indigenous communities there.

Once on Thursday Island, visitors – typically a group of around 30 – enjoy a full itinerary, which includes a scenic tour of Ngurapai (Horn Island), a visit to the historic Green Hill Fort (built in the late 1800s as a defense against a potential Russian attack), a look at WWII military sites, local music and dance performances by the Island Stars, and a traditional island-style buffet lunch.

Nai highlights, 'This is the only place in all of Australia where both Indigenous races can be seen on their ancestral lands.'

For many Australians, the Torres Strait is still an unfamiliar and unexplored region that remains shrouded in mystery.

Nai points out that many tourists he encounters often confuse the Torres Strait Islands with the Tiwi Islands, which are located in the Northern Territory and are an Aboriginal region. These misunderstandings only reinforce his belief that building human connections is vital for progress.

He emphasizes, 'Our goal is to create an environment where people are more compassionate, more open-minded, and where we can engage in meaningful conversations as equals, fostering genuine friendships.' He adds, 'That is our true mission.'