Thirsty Island by Banjo Paterson – Review

Thirsty Island is a sketch about Thursday Island, a remote Australian outpost known for its wild drinking culture. Paterson paints a vivid picture of the island’s rowdy pearl divers, sailors, and locals, who greet arriving ships with relentless hospitality—mostly in the form of heavy drinking. The story follows a naive newcomer who expects a quiet introduction to Australia but instead gets swept into a chaotic, alcohol-fueled night that leaves him stunned. The island’s eccentric characters, from boozy captains to knife-fighting sailors, make the place feel both dangerous and strangely charming.

Here is the link to the text of the story:
https://short-stories.co/@banjopaterson/thirsty-island-nkeve78pqzmo