In his early twenties Miles Hordern first crossed the oceans from the northern to the southern hemisphere, but the stretch between New Zealand & the Indian Ocean, guarded by the Torres Strait, eluded him for twelve more years. Past sailors attempting a passage through this mythical strait either drowned on the treacherous reefs or starved in open boats. Yet Miles Hordern was unable to resist its siren call. Passage to Torres Strait weaves together unravelled strands of history, & reveals that it was the castaways & beachcombers who left the most enduring legacies.