Stories on Coastal Country
Hope Vale blends stunning natural landscapes with rich cultural heritage. The area is home to the dramatic Coloured Sands at Elim Beach and serves as the base for Guurrbi Tours with Willie Gordon, an Elder who shares creation stories and cultural knowledge at significant sites. Visitors experience deep connections to country, from storytelling and art to the beauty of coastal and inland landscapes.
Storytelling
Stories Celebrated Near and Far
By Willie Gordon
Willie Gordon leads visitors on guided walks to ancient rock art sites, sharing stories passed down through generations. His tours interpret the art and its connection to country, offering deep insight into culture and history. Willie’s knowledge and charisma have seen him featured on television and billboards, yet his focus has always remained on country and community. He is passionate about ensuring sites are recognised and protected, with young people being trained to record cultural heritage for future generations. For Willie, recording and recognition are vital steps toward reconciliation and keeping knowledge strong.
Storytelling
Stories of the Coloured Sands
By Ivan Deemal
Ivan Deemal has followed in his father’s footsteps by running the Elim Beach campground that he established nearly 25 years. This quiet and remote place is known for its striking Coloured Sands, stretching for kilometres along the coastline. Visitors can walk through the gorge carved into the sands and hear the stories that give this landscape its cultural significance. For Ivan, sharing Elim Beach is about welcoming people while passing on knowledge of a place that holds deep meaning for its people.
Photo Gallery
Sands, Stories and Art in View
Golden dunes, ochre cliffs, clear tidal waters, and shaded cultural sites reveal a place where story and land are intertwined, and where the colours of the earth meet the sea.
Experiences
Key Experiences
Discover local art that reflects community spirit, walk to ancient rock art sites with cultural guides, and camp by the coloured sands of Elim Beach.
Guurrbi Tours
Guided cultural journeys to rock art sites and story places, led by Willie Gordon, sharing creation stories, history, and teachings of the Nugal-warra people.
Hope Vale Arts and Culture Centre
Community-led centre showcasing works by local artists rooted in history, tradition, and connection to country.
Elim Beach Campground
Known for its Coloured Sands, a striking natural formation of ochre and clay cliffs beside white beaches and blue waters.
Travel and Preparation
Hope Vale is accessible via sealed road from Cooktown. Tours and visits should be booked ahead, and visitors should respect cultural protocols at sacred and community sites.
