The first to discover the Strait was an enterprising Spaniard, Luis Vaez de Torres in 1601. The Strait was a vital gateway to the Pacific, Torres and members of the Spanish court regarded the discovery of such importance that the matter was kept secret for more then a century. It wasn't until nearly 160 years later that the square-rigged mast of Captain James Cook's barque Endeavour disturbed the horizon and almost miraculously weaved it's way through hazardous reefs and currents to discover some of the Straits's 70 or more islands. Some of the main islands are Thursday Island,Tuesday, Wednesday, Horn, Possession island, Badu, Moa,Darnley, Marray.
Islanders are the only ones that can hunt for the green turtle, as they are protected.
Soon after settlement was formed, the Goverment established a defence outpost on the island. Avery substantial fort was built on the two hills, the fort was abandoned in 1939. During World War two troops were stationed, when the Japanese threatened to invade Queensland coast. Islanders were not allowed to live on Thursday Island until after the war. Friday Island was named by Captain Parker-King in 1848, for 20 years it was a leper colony, but later Norman Hocking he made it into a beautiful island with imported deer and in 1925 the island was proclaimed a flora and fauna sanctuary.