HOPE ISLES

Hope Islands National Park (CYPAL) is made up of four islands, East and West Hope islands, Struck Island and Snapper Island. East and West Hope islands are low-lying cays formed in two different ways, which has resulted in each island having distinctive characteristics. West Hope Island is a shingles cay formed from piles of loose shingle (coral debris). Only hardy plants, such as mangroves, sea purslane and native Chinese lantern, grow on such cays. Conversely, East Hope is a typical sand cay developed by currents and waves depositing fine reef sediments. Beach almond and red coondoo grow in the centre of East Hope Island, while sea trumpet, silverbush and nickernut grow around the edges.

Several species of sea and woodland birds breed on the islands. A colony of pied imperial pigeons (Ducula bicolor), numbering in the thousands, has been recorded on the Hope Islands, and West Hope Island is a significant seabird-nesting site. These islands are considered among the most important bird-nesting sites in the northern Great Barrier Reef Marine Park.

The islands are part of the traditional sea country of the Eastern Kuku Yalanji Aboriginal people, who continue to hunt, fish and collect in the area. The reefs around the islands had also claimed several ships, notably Lieutenant James Cook, who named the islands in 1770 when he struck the nearby reef.

These tropical islands provide a haven for nature lovers, birdwatchers and anglers. It is easy to delight in Hope Isles’ natural beauty:

• Have a picnic on a secluded beach.
• Watch the birdlife along the shore.
• Listen to the calls of the pied-imperial pigeons in the trees during the summer months or go snorkelling or diving to discover amazing reef life.

You can even use public moorings and throw a fishing line in the water.

Cooktown Post Office Long-term Averages

Jan Max C° 28.9  Min C° 21.9 Min
Rain mm 140.8 Max Rain 202.1 mm
Min Rain Days 14.2

Feb Max C° 28.7  Min C° 21.8 Min
Rain mm 183.5 Max Rain 324 mm
Min Rain Days 14.9

Mar Max C° 28.0  Min C° 20.9 Min
Rain mm 160.8 Max Rain 256.2 mm
Min Rain Days 15.9

Apr Max C° 26.1  Min C° 18.3 Min
Rain mm 119.6 Max Rain 199.5 mm
Min Rain Days 12.2

May Max C° 23.6  Min C° 15.4 Min
Rain mm 106.2 Max Rain 177.6 mm
Min Rain Days 12.0

Jun Max C° 21.4  Min C° 13.2 Min
Rain mm 107.3 Max Rain 234.1 mm
Min Rain Days 10.6

Jul Max C° 21.2  Min C° 12.0 Min
Rain mm 54.3 Max Rain 86.6 mm
Min Rain Days 8.5

Aug Max C° 22.1  Min C° 12.4 Min
Rain mm 53.1 Max Rain 102.1 mm
Min Rain Days 7.0

Sep Max C° 24.0 Min C° 14.8 Min
Rain mm 44.1 Max Rain 82 mm
Min Rain Days 8.3

Oct Max C° 25.4  Min C° 17.0 Min
Rain mm 88.5  Max Rain 188 mm
Min Rain Days 10.2

Nov Max C° 26.9  Min C° 19.0 Min
Rain mm 109.3 Max Rain 220.4 mm
Min Rain Days 11.6

Dec Max C° 28.0  Min C° 20.6 Min
Rain mm 144.8 Max Rain 255.6 mm
Min Rain Days 12.7

Ann Max C° 25.4  Min C° 17.3 Min
Rain mm 1277.9 Max Rain 1427.1 mm
Min Rain Days 135.8