Hope Vale
Hope Vale (also known as Hopevale) is a town within the Aboriginal Shire of Hope Vale and a coastal locality split between the Aboriginal Shire of Hope Vale and the Shire of Cook, both on Cape York in Queensland.
With a population of around 1500 people, Hope Vale is an easy 46km drive north-west of Cooktown. Surrounded by tropical native bushland, mountain ranges, pristine coastal and diverse flora and fauna, Hope Vale is home to thirteen clan groups who mostly speak Guugu Yimithirr and other related languages, as well English.
Endeavour Valley Road between Hope Vale and Cooktown is fully sealed, making access for tourists and visitors to Hope Vale a scenic and an easy drive.
Elim Beach at Hope Vale is home to the famous Coloured Sands, and a popular spot for Hope Vale people, many of whom have a shack here and visit at weekends to go fishing. It’s also a popular camping and fishing spot.
The mesmerising dune formations of the Coloured Sands are a 300 metre walk along the beach. The drive from Hope Vale to Elim takes about an hour on an unsealed road which winds through white silica sand hills, rugged escarpments and heath lands.