Hope Vale is situated 46 km north of Cooktown and about 10 km off the Battlecamp Road that leads to Lakefield National Park and Laura.
Hope Vale was established as a Lutheran Mission in 1949. The community covers an area of 110,000 hectares and is a Deed of Grant in Trust (DOGIT) land.
Today's population is estimated at 830 (2001), with approximately 94% of the total population being of Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander origin from various clans including the Dhuppi, Nukgal, Binthi, Thitharr, Dharrpa, Ngayumbarr-Ngayumbarr, Dingaal, Ngurrumungu, Thaanil, Gamaay, Ngaatha, Burunga .
In addition to these clans, the community is made up of the Kuku Yimidhirr speaking peoples, the Yiidhuwarra (traditional owners of Barrow Point, Flinders Island, and the South Annan), the Bagaarrmugu, Muunthiwarra, Juunjuwaara and Muli peoples plus the Gan Gaarr and Bulgoon peoples to the south, the Kings Plain's Thukuun Warra and the Sunset Yulanji peoples in the Maytown area.
Visitors requiring access to the Hope Vale area including Elim Beach can obtain a permit from the Hope Vale Council administration office. Hope Vale has a good general store (with ATM) but is closed Sundays. Post office and banking services are available at the Council Administration Offices during regular office hours.
Contact Hope Vale Community Council Telephone 07 4060 9133
Information on Hope Vale's alcohol management plan