Traditional Owners

The original inhabitants of Hope Vale Aboriginal Shire were the Guugu Yimithirr or Thubi Warra Aboriginal people who continue to live throughout the area and have strong traditional ties with the land.

Settlement history

Traditionally, indigenous people lived in the area, and continue to do so. In 1886 the Lutheran Church established the Aboriginal community of Cape Bedford Mission at Elim Beach. A second mission site was established in 1887 at Hope Valley. In 1900 the Elim Beach site closed, with consolidation at the Hope Valley site. In 1942, during WWII, the population of nearly 300 people was evacuated to southern communities, so that land could be used by the army. The Mission was re-established in 1949 when Aboriginal people were relocated. In 1967 mining of silica commenced at Cape Flattery. In 1986 a Deed of Grant in Trust was granted, creating the Hope Vale Aboriginal Council. The population fluctuated from the 1990s, but generally remained between 800 and 1,000 people.

Land use

Hope Vale Aboriginal Shire includes an Aboriginal community and surrounding rural areas. The Shire encompasses a total land area of about 1,100 square kilometres.

Major features

• Major features of Hope Vale Aboriginal Shire include Elim Beach,
• The Hope Vale township,
• Hope Vale Arts & Cultural Centre,
• Hope Vale Primary Health Care Centre,
• Elim Beach Campground,
• The McIvor River,
• Hope Vale Indigenous Technology and Knowledge Centre and Cape York Aboriginal Australian Academy (Hope Vale Campus).

Included areas