ABSTRACT
These two islands are quite different from a physical geographical standpoint. Dauan Island is a tall rocky island formed by orogenic movement which stands prominently near the coastline of mainland Papua just opposite Mabaduan which itself is a rocky hill and significant landmark on the south Papuan coast. The names ‘dauan’
Figure 9.1 Proposed boundaries between Queensland and PNG
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and ‘duarf of Mabaduan, in local tongue, mean rock or rocky. The first European navigator to pass through the Strait by these two ‘gateposts’ in 1606 was Luis Vaez de Torres, vice captain of the San Pederico, a Spanish ship which arrived at this very island in the middle of July, after sailing westward from the Pacific Ocean along the southern Papuan coastline.
