I'd forgotten you had connections with the Cape Sheba. What a fantastic trip it would be to go there with you. You would know all the history, I'm sure.

The trip you are going to take to the top end, is one you will never forget,We did it a few years back,and plan to do it again next year.Can only let you know of a few bits and pieces of our trip as it would take so much time to tell the full experiance we had. We left Cairns on a friday morning on MV Trinity, jostling for valuable space on cargo deck with shipping containers 4WD vehicles,and a fuel truck ,aluminium dinghies. Also on board were a couple of New Commodores which were off loaded at Thursday Island.The Aluminium boats up that way are the family wagon, as a lot of people don't own cars but every one owns a dinghie of some sort.Once we depated Cairns we spent two nights at sea cruising past islands and cays of the Great Barrier Reefbefore rounding Cape York and entering the Torres Strait.Then we then were passing lushy forested hilly islands.The horizon is dotted with islands many are still home to remote communitieswho rely upon the weekly supply service from Cairns.Along the way we also picked up and drop off crew members from the Sea Swift vessels and passangers.There was 16 passanger cabins accommodating 45 passengers.The age range of passangers on our trip were between a young couple with a baby to a 85 year old solo lady.Most were on the trip due to recommendations from some one who had done this trip . I guess you could call it a sort of coconut telegraph that keeps cabins full, during April/ October.The cabins are spacious,comfy and had air con, some had ensuits , others with shared bathrooms.Meals become the vocal point of the day. Could not complain about any of the food served up it was first class.Horn Island was our first stop to unload the Commodores and other cargo.Passangers can take the opportunity to explore the small island , home to about 350 people . The next stop was Thursday Island just a short hop accross the passage.We arrived on sunday and Australia's most northern pub the Torres Hotel is one of the few businesses open , with the exception of the immaculately kept Catholic Church accross the street.Our guide Thomas explained about how the ilanders celebrate the coming of the light on the 1st of july each year, in recognition of the impact Missionaries had on island life.We also visited Green Hill Fort constructed against a Russian invasion (still yet to materialise)The highest point on Thursday Island with views over the achipelago, we visted the cemetry it has the most elorate headstons we had ever seen, some were still under wraps, as island tradition requires that two years after the deceased has been laid to rest their carved marble headstone which is imported from Italy is unveiled.Once back on board Trinity our last port of call before s before Trinity heads south again  is the mainland town of Seisia.We headed out to camp at Loyalty Beach camp ground it is situated about 1hr from the Cape, it's the most northerly camp ground in OZ. The view is to die for , we pitched the tent on a beautiful grassy camp site looking out over the islands of Torres Strait just meters from the sea . But the wife would not sleep in the tent after seeing a BIG croc cruising the shallows ealier , so we both slept in the back of the 4by. Hope this little bit of our trip helps you in your trip.

Regards Herbie.