Major city · Australia
Horn IslandNgurubai
Treat Horn Island as a half-day stop between the airport and the Thursday Island ferry: museum plus WWII tour, then move on.
Horn Island (Ngurubai) is the air gateway to the Torres Strait: about 600 residents, 53 km², and the airport most Torres Strait travellers fly into. The wharf-area attractions — both hotels, the museum and the beach — sit within a short walk of each other, so most travellers see them in half a day and sleep on Thursday Island. A night here makes sense only if you want the WWII sites at an unhurried pace or your flight leaves early.
More ways in
Local time, weather, currency, airports
- Weather
- see forecast
- Currency
- AUD
- Best months
- May–Oct (dry season)
- avoid Jan–Mar (wet season, cyclone risk)
- Airport
- HID
- Nights
- 0–1
Rules in force · 7
- Oceania ↗Oceania's island states guard their farms and reefs at the border: tick 'yes' on the arrival card for any food, plant, animal product, soil or used outdoor gear, and let the officer decide.
- Oceania ↗Across the tropical South Pacific, cyclones are possible from November to April: choose insurance that covers weather delays and keep one spare night before a long-haul departure.
- Australia and New Zealand ↗Both countries drive on the left, with long distances between fuel stops in the outback and on New Zealand's back roads; fatigue causes more visitor crashes than speed.
- Australia ↗Almost every visitor needs a visa or an electronic authorisation (ETA or eVisitor, depending on passport) before boarding: apply only through the official Department of Home Affairs site or the official AustralianETA app, and check the rules for your passport.
- Australia ↗Declare all food, plant material, seeds, wood and animal products on your arrival declaration; undeclared items can bring on-the-spot fines or visa cancellation. When unsure, declare it.
- Australia ↗Drive on the left. An overseas licence in English (or with an official translation or International Driving Permit) is accepted for visitors; check the state rules and your rental contract.
- Australia ↗Swim between the red and yellow flags on patrolled beaches; rip currents cause most beach drownings.
Entry rules depend on your passport. Full visa guide
What is in this basic guide9 covered · 4 not yet ▾
In this guide
Not in this guide yet
- Walking areas with bag rules
- Day plans checked against opening hours
- Airport-to-bed timings and the last safe connection
- Field-checked times and prices
Official sites
Emergency numbers for Horn Island000 ▾
Tap a number to call from your phone. These are the numbers listed in this guide; a row marked check has not been verified.
EssentialsQuick answers and what things cost
Essentials
Quick answers and what things cost
Quick answers
The questions people ask first about Horn Island, one line each. Tap a card for the full answer.
- Cash or card?Currency is the Australian dollar (AUD, A$).Australia-wide
- SIM or eSIMTelstra has the widest outback coverage; Optus and Vodafone (TPG) are cheaper and fine in cities and along highways.Australia-wide
- Tap waterTap water is safe in cities and towns; in remote places use signed drinking taps.Australia-wide
- TippingRestaurants: Not expected; 10% for very good service in a nice restaurant if you wish.Australia-wide
- Plugs & powerSockets I. US/Canada (A/B): adapter · UK/Ireland (G): adapter · Australia/NZ (I): fits. 230 V: US 120 V-only devices (hair dryers) need a converter; most chargers are dual-voltage.Australia-wide
- SafetyHorn Island is small and calm; the real risks are heat, wet-season storms and the early end to food service.
Show all 12 answers
- RestroomsFree public toilets in parks, beaches, shopping centres and petrol stations (servos); the National Public Toilet Map app lists them.Australia-wide
- Emergency numbers000 police, fire, ambulance · 112 From mobiles
- Sundays & holidaysChristmas Day, Good Friday and Anzac Day morning close most shops; many cafés close by 15:00; country towns close early on Saturday and all Sunday.Christmas Day, Good Friday and Anzac Day morning close most shops; many cafés close by 3:00 PM; country towns close early on Saturday and all Sunday.Australia-wide
- Your embassyFind your embassy's 24-hour line before you fly.
- AirportHID Horn Island Airport (Small terminal with indoor and outdoor waiting areas; buses meet flights for the wharf.
- Getting aroundThe wharf area is small: walk between both hotels, the museum and the beach.
Cost cheat-sheet
Typical prices for the everyday things, as ranges. Your currency is shown next to the local price.
- CoffeeCoffee or breakfast at the supermarket caféA$6–15 (≈ US$4–10)
- Sit-down mealLunch or dinner at the Wongai HotelA$20–40 (≈ US$14–30)
- BeerBeer at the hotel barA$8–12 (≈ US$6–8)
- Budget bedFamily or extra-bed room, a night, per roomA$250 (≈ US$170)
- Mid-range bedMotel-style room (either hotel), a night, per roomA$220 (≈ US$150)
- High-end bedMotel-style room (either hotel), a night, per roomA$300 (≈ US$200)
A day, not counting the bed: Budget A$120 (≈ US$80) · Mid A$200 (≈ US$140) · High A$320 (≈ US$250)
Local prices, with USD next to them (rates 2026-09 (approximate); change it in the header). Ranges are desk estimates: check locally. Every price and the budget calculator →
DecideWhat it is known for, and when the weather works
Decide
What it is known for, and when the weather works
At a glance
What the city is known for, how you fly in, and where to find the phrases.
- Airports
- HID Horn Island Airport (Small terminal with indoor and outdoor waiting areas; buses meet flights for the wharf. About 2 h from Cairns.)
Best months at a glance
From the guide's best and avoid lists
Jan
Avoid
31°C (88°F)88°F (31°C)
Feb
Avoid
31°C (88°F)88°F (31°C)
Mar
Avoid
31°C (88°F)88°F (31°C)
Apr
not flagged
31°C (88°F)88°F (31°C)
May
Best
30°C (86°F)86°F (30°C)
Jun
Best
29°C (84°F)84°F (29°C)
Jul
Best
29°C (84°F)84°F (29°C)
Aug
Best
29°C (84°F)84°F (29°C)
Sep
Best
30°C (86°F)86°F (30°C)
Oct
Best
31°C (88°F)88°F (31°C)
Nov
not flagged
32°C (90°F)90°F (32°C)
Dec
not flagged
32°C (90°F)90°F (32°C)
Best: May–Oct. Avoid: Jan–Mar. Month by month →
Warmest Nov (32°C (90°F)90°F (32°C)), coolest Jul (22°C (72°F)72°F (22°C) low), wettest Jan (18 rain days), driest Aug (3). Averages, not a forecast.
Weather and climate
Horn Island: next 7 days
Loading forecast…
Forecast: Open-Meteo (CC BY 4.0), model data for this point.
Air quality
Loading…
Model estimate (CAMS via Open-Meteo), not a street-level station; readings near busy roads run higher.
Jan
31°C (88°F)88°F (31°C)
25°C (77°F)77°F (25°C)
18 rd
Feb
31°C (88°F)88°F (31°C)
25°C (77°F)77°F (25°C)
17 rd
Mar
31°C (88°F)88°F (31°C)
25°C (77°F)77°F (25°C)
16 rd
Apr
31°C (88°F)88°F (31°C)
25°C (77°F)77°F (25°C)
12 rd
May
30°C (86°F)86°F (30°C)
24°C (75°F)75°F (24°C)
8 rd
Jun
29°C (84°F)84°F (29°C)
23°C (73°F)73°F (23°C)
5 rd
Jul
29°C (84°F)84°F (29°C)
22°C (72°F)72°F (22°C)
4 rd
Aug
29°C (84°F)84°F (29°C)
22°C (72°F)72°F (22°C)
3 rd
Sep
30°C (86°F)86°F (30°C)
23°C (73°F)73°F (23°C)
3 rd
Oct
31°C (88°F)88°F (31°C)
24°C (75°F)75°F (24°C)
5 rd
Nov
32°C (90°F)90°F (32°C)
25°C (77°F)77°F (25°C)
9 rd
Dec
32°C (90°F)90°F (32°C)
25°C (77°F)77°F (25°C)
14 rd
High / low, both scales · rd = rain days
Arrive & moveAirports are listed under At a glance; this is how to move once you are in
Arrive & move
Airports are listed under At a glance; this is how to move once you are in
Getting around
The wharf area is small: walk between both hotels, the museum and the beach. A taxi serves the island, and buses meet flights — confirm the route and drop-off at the terminal. Car rental is available from the Wongai Beach Hotel at A$132/day plus 20c per km.
See & doDay-trips, door to door
See & do
Day-trips, door to door
Day-trips
Door to door: About 45 min
Passenger ferry from the Horn Island wharf, about 15–20 min
The main reason people come through Horn; two operators run daytime services.
Door to door: Varies by island
Small-aircraft flights from Horn Island Airport; some islands require a permit
Permit rules and operator schedules vary by island: check before booking.
Eat & sleepWhich area to sleep in
Eat & sleep
Which area to sleep in
Where to sleep
Areas, not hotels: pick the one that fits your arrival time and plans.
Wharf area (Wongai Beach Hotel)
2 Wees Street; motel rooms, bar and restaurant, about 5 min walk from the wharf.
Gateway Torres Strait Resort
24 Outie Street; self-contained rooms, saltwater pool, museum on site, about 5 min from the wharf.
PracticalWhat a day costs, what to watch out for, and the pocket card
Practical
What a day costs, what to watch out for, and the pocket card
Cost per day
- Budget
- A$120–180 (≈ US$80–120) excl. bed
- Mid
- A$180–280 (≈ US$120–190) excl. bed
- High
- A$280 (≈ US$190)+ excl. bed
Trip budget
| Motel-style room (either hotel)1 × 1 night × A$220 | A$220 |
| Food, local transport, entries2 × 1 day × A$200 | A$400 |
| WWII tour, museum entry included2 × A$36 | A$72 |
| WWII tour with buffet lunch2 × A$70 | A$140 |
| Ferry to Thursday Island, one way2 × A$30 · check | A$60 |
| Car rental, one day plus 20c/km1 × A$132 | A$132 |
| Buffer 10%Price creep, a taxi you did not plan, one splurge | A$102 |
| Trip total≈ A$563 per person per day, bed included | A$1,126≈ US$750 |
check
2026 estimate in Australian dollars; flights to Cairns excluded. Your choices stay in this browser.
Prices of common things
| Coffee or breakfast at the supermarket café | A$6–15 (≈ US$4–10) |
| Lunch or dinner at the Wongai Hotel | A$20–40 (≈ US$14–30) |
| Beer at the hotel bar | A$8–12 (≈ US$6–8) |
| WWII tour | A$36 (≈ US$25) (about A$70 (≈ US$50) with buffet lunch) |
| Car rental | A$132 (≈ US$90)/day plus 20c per km |
2026 estimate; check locally.
Watch out
Safety
- Two ferries run daytime passenger services to Thursday Island; confirm the last sailing before you book a late flight.
- Kitchen hours end early: after about 20:00 your dinner options shrink to bar snacks.Kitchen hours end early: after about 8:00 PM your dinner options shrink to bar snacks.
- WWII tours need minimum numbers, so book and confirm ahead.
- Wet season (roughly Dec–Apr) brings heat, rain and cyclone risk; flights and ferries can be disrupted.
- Some outer Torres Strait islands need a permit from the Aboriginal Lands Council; Horn and Thursday do not.
Emergency numbers
- Police, fire, ambulance
- 000
- From mobiles
- 112
Pocket card
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Horn IslandNgurubai
Pocket card · Voykit
My bed tonight
—
—
—
Check with the hotel or taxi for the local phrasingTo this address, please
Emergency
- Police, fire, ambulance000
- From mobiles112
Embassy
No embassies on Horn Island; consulates are in Cairns or Brisbane, embassies in Canberra.
My embassy: —
Fare anchors (2026 estimate)
- Horn Island → Thursday Island ferry: about A$30 (≈ US$20) one way, 15–20 min (check)
- Airport → wharf bus: meets flights; confirm at the terminal
- Car rental: A$132 (≈ US$90)/day plus 20c per km
Say or show
- Eso — Thank you (eh-so)
- Mina epa — Good morning (mee-na eh-pa)
- Wharf ene? — Where is the wharf? (wharf eh-neh)
Phrases are Torres Strait Creole approximations; check locally.
Deep diveWhat this guide covers so far, and its sources
Deep dive
What this guide covers so far, and its sources
Not a trip line yet
This is a basic guide: no airport-to-bed contract, walking clusters or day plans are published for Horn Island. Airport, fare and schedule details are unverified; check the operators before you fly.
What we know, and what is coming
On this page
- Best months: May–Oct (dry season) · avoid Jan–Mar (wet season, cyclone risk) · month by month →
- 1 airport and 2 areas to sleep in
- Weather: a 7-day forecast and monthly averages
- Cost per day in 3 bands
- 2 day-trips, door to door
- 5 things to watch out for, with emergency numbers
Coming as the guide grows
- Airport-to-wharf contract for HID: bus and ferry timings checked against flight arrivals, taxi fallback.
- Walking cluster: wharf, both hotels, museum, beach, with a wet-season indoor plan.
- Place pages for the museum and the WWII sites with verified tour cutoffs and minimum numbers.
- Wet-season and disrupted-flight fixtures so gates A–D can go green.
Sources
Ask about Horn Island
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