Palm Cove, Queensland

Those wanting all the warm-weather benefits of a Queensland reef and rainforest environment with even less noise and bustle than the big two accommodation hotspots can instead set their eyes to this fantastic spot nestled at the halfway point between Cairns and Port Douglas – the idyllic Palm Cove.

More on Palm Cove below...

 

Why Palm Cove?

State: Queensland

Why it's special: Relaxed seaside town flanked by the reef & the rainforest

Best time to go: April - June

Roughly 25 – 30 minutes to the north of Cairns and slightly further from Port Douglas, Palm Cove strikes a nice balance between seclusion from busier tourist hubs while still allowing easy access to all the activities and Great Barrier Reef trips which serve as the main drawcard for visitors to the region.

Palm Cove mixes together high-end accommodation with lovely stretches of beach, with its main hub on Williams Esplanade lined with palm trees that convey an additional sense of being in the tropics.

This is a town slash village where taking things slow, walking barefoot and admiring the ocean views reigns king; its main focal point is its long, extended beach that's within a short walk of the majority of accommodation and which makes for an enchanting spot to stroll along and take in one of the area's renowned beautiful sunrises of a morning.

Views from the shoreline reach out to the adjacent Double Island and its surrounding coral sea, and the majority of dining options in its main street overlook this panorama for a truly romantic food-and-scenery spectacle.

Palm Cove also has a well-deserved reputation as a hotspot for wellness, hair and massage treatments, with many of its resorts and other accommodation offering bundled pampering packages in addition to luxurious poolside amenities. You'll have multiple options for drifting away under the spell of a quality beauty treatment, relaxing in a bubbling spa or simply lazing poolside at pretty much all of the multi-starred accommodation on offer.

The village isn't strictly high-end accommodation, however; there's also a caravan park at its' far end, as well as options for backpackers on non-romantic occasions. A number of charming specialty shops along with an elegant and tasteful nightlife scene that's more of a concentration on the cocktails/conversation/wine blend than raging music round out the Palm Cove experience; this is not a Cairns that can trend towards upbeat and even a little wild at times.

There's a reason this is one of Queensland's most popular spots for destination weddings – the small village atmosphere makes for a good choice for those looking to avoid large tour groups, and everything is within walking distance and nearly universally tranquil.

What Palm Cove has to offer:

Highlights that set Palm Cove apart include:

• Gorgeous, secluded tropical getaway destination
• Peaceful alternative to bigger reef towns/resorts nearby
• Renowned for beautiful sunsets and pristine beachfront
• Range of accommodation options to suit multiple budget levels
• Thriving waterfront dining scene
• Ideal destination for couples and honeymooners looking to escape the popular tourist hubs

Top Things to Do

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Palm Cove in Pictures

Follow Palm Cove on Instagram at @visitpalmcove and Experience Oz at @experienceoz

Palm Cove in Motion