Stayed nearby and was warned that the Cow Bay Hotel was "a bit rough". Found it was quite the opposite. Sure, some "rough around the edges" locals, but that just indicated it was a true Aussie country pub. Food was very cheap and good quality. We went there 2 nights in preference to the motel restaurant. Second night was pizza night and we shared a huge family size, with fresh prawns and barramundi as topping - delicious and we couldn't finish it (took the leftovers for lunch next day). Noticed the owners going out of their way to providing a private room with highchair for a family with very young children to have dinner. Go there if you want to experience good, down to earth country hospitality and avoid the tourist rip offs.

The northern bank of the Daintree River is World Heritage-listed rain forest . After the Daintree River ferry crossing the road winds through thick rainforests and the first commercial centre you arrive at is Cow Bay. Cow Bay is one of the oldest established centres of commerce in the Daintree, yet it still only boasts the hotel/motel and airstrip for light aircraft. Driving up to Cape Tribulation, we stopped for lunch at the Cow Bay hotel. The food was good pub food including farmed barramundi (a famous regional fish) at a very reasonable price, the counter service helpful and the bar clientele relaxed in true North Queenslander style. Meals are collected at the counter and one can choose the timber table seating outside under cover with a tropical forest outlook or inside. We will be back.

we go to FNQ each year for a holiday and always stop at this hotel for lunch. our last stop in march was the best. the place was spotlessly clean, staff were very friendly and laid back and my burger was probably the best value meal i had all week. do not drive past, pull in get a cold drink and sit out front on verandah.( the locals can be somewhat of an entertainment themselves)

We had a hard time picking a place to stay in the Cape Trib area as we needed 2 rooms & it seemed like there were the budget "backpacker" , the yoga retreats or the very expensive resorts. Our party was 2 adults (mid 50s) & our daughter & her boyfriend (mid 20s). The rooms are small & plain but clean. There was a vase of fresh flowers in each room when we arrived. There is a bar & bottle shop attached to the hotel. We were hoping for seafood that night, but it was pizza night, where the pizza is cooked in an outdoor oven. There is a dining room as well as covered tables outside. We ate at the outdoor tables & watched as the staff worked hard preparing pizza for the hotel, locals & as take away for other people staying in the area & enjoyed the pizza & were made to feel like family. The new manager Peter had greeted us shortly after our arrival & was always available to assist us with any questions as well as booking tours in the area. I was concerned that it might be noisy at night from the bar, but that was not the case. We were able to do some exploring with our headlamps at night & saw a cassowary with it's young the next morning before breakfast. Knowing that we love coffee, the staff even had a fresh pot brewed for us the following morning to go with our continental breakfast. This was the only place that had real coffee & not instant coffee for us on our entire trip & we appreciated the personal touches. The sliced fresh fruit was delicious for breakfast & my daughter has a new love for fresh passion fruit. There is not a business center area, but Peter offered to let us use his computer during our stay before we could even ask about it. We all felt safe, comfortable & that everyone did their best to make us feel welcome & at home.