Yorke Island (traditionally known as Masig) is a coral cay situated in the Eastern area of the central island group in the Torres Strait, 2.7km in length and 800m at its widest point.

The people of Yorke Island are skilled navigators with a detailed knowledge of the reefs and have always occupied a central position in the Straits trading networks.

Since the grounding of the local commercial air service by CASA in 2007, access to Masig is by charter plane only. All goods and mail are delivered by a weekly barge service.

Masig has the following facilities:

Iama Island (also Yama, Yama or Turtle-backed Island) is an island of the Bourke Isles, 100km northeast of Thursday Island. The area measures about two square kilometres.

The original inhabitants traded and fought widely in their sailing canoes. In 1792, they came aboard William Bligh's two ships seeking iron. Bligh named Tudu 'Warrior Island' after an attack they later made.

The London Missionary Society established a station at Iama's western end establishing a permanent village with people settling around the mission.

Ugar Island is situated in the eastern section of Torres Strait, near the Great Barrier Reef and North of Coconut / Poruma Island and North West of Murray Island and Darnley Island.

Ugar is home to the region’s smallest community. It is an island of volcanic origin, with rich fertile soil and dense tropical vegetation.

There is no airstrip, with access by helicopter or boat only.

The traditional language of Ugar Island is Meriam Mìr, of which there were formerly two dialects, Erub-Ugar and Mer-Dauar-Waier.

Erub (Darnley) Island is an island formed by volcanic action and situated in the eastern section of the Torres Strait, near the Great Barrier Reef and just south of the Bligh entrance.

There is a single grocery store, school and health centre. Accommodation is available through the Guest House and demountable dongas near the airport.

The effective community language is Brokan (Torres Strait Creole), though many people still speak the traditional language, Meriam Mir.

Mer Island (also known as Murray Island), is a small island of volcanic origin, populated by the Melanesian Meriam people and situated in the eastern section of Torres Strait.

The people of Murray Island speak Torres Strait Creole and Meriam and the island has a population of around 450 people.

There are eight Mer (Meriam) tribes: