9 best things to do in Palm Cove, Queensland
Halfway between Cairns and Port Douglas, this beachside town is the low key FNQ your next holiday needs.
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Welcome to paradise found.
1. Laze on Palm Cove Beach
This is no doubt one of the best beaches in tropical north Queensland - warm water, palm trees, the Daintree Rainforest at your doorstep and stinger enclosures/pools so you remain safe. The flat expanse of golden sand is also ideal for a game of beach cricket or frisbee and it has been named Australia's Cleanest Beach several times over.
For something even more laidback, Clifton Beach a short drive down the coast is highly recommended and a holiday destination in itself. It also easily accessible via well maintained bike paths and walking tracks to explore. It is more of a "locals' beach" but still has all facilities such as as year-round netted swimming and lifeguards, as well as a children's playground and barbecue facilities.
2. Take a kayak tour to Double Island
Just half an hour off shore Double Island is a stunning slice of paradise where you can get up close to the marine life of the Great Barrier Reef. The tours leaves from Williams Esplanade and you can expect to see eagle rays, shovelnose sharks, mangrove rays and sea turtles in their natural habitat.
More into stand up paddle boarding? Palm Cove Watersports can sort you out with tours and/or gear that will get you a front row seat to one of the world's most spectacular sunrises. We also love the idea of the Rainforest River Drift. on your own lilo.
3. Shop up a storm at the Palm Cove Markets
This beachside market takes place on the first Sunday of every month with over 130 stalls and something for the whole family with fresh fruit, psychic reading, fashion and more on the menu.
4. Throw in a line at Palm Cove Jetty
At 40 metres long, Palm Cove Jetty is a fisher's delight with schools of Spanish mackerel, giant trevally, yellowtail and even barra offshore.
5. Pamper yourself at a day spa
For a town this size, there is an outsized number of award-winning spas to choose from. The best are secreted in upmarket resorts but you don't have to stay there to make an appointment. Pick of the bunch are Vie Spa at Pullman Palm Cove Sea Temple Resort & Spa for probiotic facials, L.M Spa at Alamanda Palm Cove by Lancemore for a mango enzyme and coconut body wrap and The Reef House Spa which offers in house three day vitality packages or just a deeply relaxing warm stone massage.
6. Splash out on some fine dining at Nu Nu
Absolute beachfront with an Asian Pacific menu and access to some of the best seafood in the country? We are there. The lively Miguel's also does a fine line in tapas and Vivo is the best all-day diner in town. Caffeinate at Garage Palm Cove and drop by Numi Palm Cove for homemade gelato
7. Encounter ancient animals at Hartley's Crocodile Adventures
There is only one place you want to come face to face with a croc in north Queensland and this is it. On a 25 minute river cruise around Hartley's lagoon - which is fringed by Melaleuca Trees - you can see these prehistoric creatures and feared locals up close.
But there's more the to place than just crocs, it's one of the few places you can also have breakfast with a koala, pat a wombat, hold a python during a snake show, stroke a komodo dragon and so much more. A must for your next trip to the region.
8. Step back in time in the Daintree rainforest
The World heritage listed Daintree is just over Palm Cove's back fence and there are a bunch of tour options to choose from. We'd opt for a full-day version with pick ups in Palm Cove which takes in Mossman Gorge, Cape Tribulation and a Daintree river cruise. If you've done the Daintree before, a night walk will help you see it in a whole new light.
For a deeper spiritual connection to Mossman Gorge beyond the regular Daintree River Cruises, check out the Ngadiku Dreamtime Walk by the local Indigenous Kuku Yalanji Tribe.
9. Explore the best of the rainforest in one day at Kuranda
An easy 30-minute drive from Palm Cove, Kuranda is an ideal day out that blends art galleries, markets, walking tracks, shopping and the iconic Kuranda Scenic Railway. This historic two-hour winds through Barron Gorge National Park, offering spectacular views and passing through 15 hand-carved tunnels and 37 bridges.
Still craving more views? Check out the Skyrail Rainforest Cableway at Smithfield which offers glorious vistas over the rainforest, Coral Sea, and Barron Falls, with stops along the way to explore boardwalks.
Where is Palm Cove?
Palm Cove has the quintessential vibe of a laidback tropical Queensland surf town and is just 30 minutes north of Cairns, 50 minutes south of Port Douglas and two and a half hours south of Cape Tribulation.
What is the best time of year to go to Palm Cove?
Palm Cove is in the wet tropics which means May to October is the best time to hit up this holiday destination.
Can you dive or snorkel the Great Barrier Reef from Palm Cove?
Not directly. That's the bad news. The good news is that because Palm Cove is situated between Port Douglas and Cairns, many tour operators in these locations offer Palm Cove pickups and drop off. Just allow at least half an hour each way when you plan your day. Which is not the much of a punish when the UNESCO World Heritage-listed Great Barrier Reef awaits.
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Originally published as 9 best things to do in Palm Cove, Queensland
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