Offshore from the southern part of the locality's coastal is the waterbody Cow Bay, part of the Coral Sea (16°14′00″S145°28′24″E / 16.2333°S 145.4733°E / -16.2333; 145.4733 (Cow Bay)) from which the locality presumably takes its name. Although the bay was not officially named until 1984, the name was in common use locally for many years, referring to the many dugongs (also known as sea cows) in the waters of the bay.[6]
Daintree Airstrip was at 1506 Cape Tribulation Road in the flatter northern part of the locality. It was repurposed for a plant nursery in 2022. [10]
History
The area was named Cow Bay on 17 March 1984, becoming an official locality on 8 September 2000.[2]
Demographics
In the 2016 census, Cow Bay had a population of 202 people.[11]
In the 2021 census, Cow Bay had a population of 220 people.[1]
Education
There are no schools in Cow Bay. The nearest government primary school is Alexandra Bay State School in neighbouring Diwan to the north. The nearest government secondary school is Mossman State High School in Mossman to the south.[4]