Are you looking for the best things to do in Palm Cove? This guide covers the best Palm Cove attractions and activities as well as the best places to stay.
The Queensland Travel Guide acknowledges the Djabugay (Tjapukai) people, the Traditional Custodians of the land on which Palm Cove is situated. We pay our respects to their Elders past, present and emerging, and recognise their continued spiritual and cultural connections to Country. Always was, always will be, Aboriginal land.
Palm Cove is a beautiful, uncrowded beachside village located between Cairns and Port Douglas in Far North Queensland. Known for its stunning beaches, lush rainforest backdrop, and ancient tree-lined esplanade, Palm Cove is a fantastic base from which to explore the surrounding rainforest and the Great Barrier Reef. Palm Cove is a relaxed holiday destination where you can do as much or as little as you please.
This compact destination provides ample opportunities for rest and rejuvenation with beach yoga and day spas. One of the most romantic things to do in Palm Cove is to take a sunrise or sunset kayak to Double Island to enjoy the changing colours in the sky.
Those looking for more adventure can venture out on day tours as there are so many things to do near Palm Cove, including visiting the rainforest and reef.
If you’re travelling with your family, you’ll be happy to hear there are so many things to do in Palm Cove with kids, from fishing and sandcastle building to browsing the markets and getting out on the water.
The best time to visit Palm Cove is between April and November when temperatures are a little cooler and the wet season has passed. However, you can visit off-season for a quieter experience.
There is a swim net to keep you safe at the beach but during stinger season (November to June ish) it is still recommended you wear a stinger suit for protection against the tiny irukandji jellyfish. You can hire these on your trip so it doesn’t need to stop the fun.
Palm Cove is an idyllic and tranquil destination that is filled with incredible natural attractions. Let’s get started planning your Palm Cove getaway.
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Best things to do Palm Cove map
Before we get started going through our detailed list of what to do in Palm Cove, please check out the map below. This will help you plan your itinerary. This map shows the location of all the places to visit and things to do at Palm Cove that we’ve covered in this guide.
Getting to Palm Cove
It’s easy to reach Palm Cove from locations around the country.
The nearest airport is in Cairns International Airport, which can be reached on flights with Qantas, Virgin Australia and Jetstar from major cities across Australia.
Then, from Cairns, it’s only a half-hour drive to Palm Cove. If you don’t rent a car, you can take a taxi, bus, or transfer.
If you’re wondering how far Port Douglas is from Palm Cove, it’s only another 40-minute drive North. Palm Cove is a popular stop between Cairns and Port Douglas. If you’re not driving, you can take a shuttle bus from Port Douglas to Palm Cove and vice versa for $35 per person.
Best things to do in Palm Cove
Below, we cover the most popular things to do and places to visit in Palm Cove.
1 Palm Cove Beach
With its breathtaking white sands and pristine blue waters, no getaway to Palm Cove would be complete without visiting the gorgeous, palm-tree-fringed Palm Cove Beach. This stunning 2km strip of sand has been awarded the Cleanest Beach in Far North Queensland and represents a truly idyllic, quintessential Queensland holiday spot perfect year-round.
With warm waters, Palm Cove Beach is perfect for swimming and snorkelling within the stinger-resistant netted area, where the beach is also patrolled.
As there are plenty of shaded grass areas next to the beach, it’s a great spot for a picnic, although there are plenty of restaurants and cafes across the road if you prefer. There is plenty of beach parking, while the jetty at the Northern end of the beach is a popular fishing spot.
The beach is known for its picturesque rows of coconut palms and is a truly heavenly spot for sunbathing. Watching a perfect Queensland sunset from the beach is one of the best free things to do in Palm Cove.
2 Williams Esplanade
At the heart of Palm Cove is Williams Esplanade, a charming, cobble-paved walkway that lies adjacent to the waterfront. Here, you’ll find many stunning accommodation options, boutique stores, arts and crafts shops, and day spas.
The Esplanade is also home to many top eateries, where you can soak up the laid-back village atmosphere while staying close to the beach.
3 Palm Cove Markets
Palm Cove Markets, known for its focus on sustainable, locally made goods, is considered one of Far North Queensland’s top community markets.
With over 130 stalls nestled along Williams Esplanade, shaded by palm and paperbark trees, and set against stunning beach scenery, the markets exude a laid-back FNQ atmosphere. Stalls include everything from arts and crafts, homemade clothing and beauty products, and home and garden items. There’s also a great range of food stalls so you can stay refreshed as you browse.
If you’re looking for stuff to do in Palm Cove on a lazy Sunday, it’s worth checking out. Around the corner from many of the town’s top dining options, it’s the perfect place to visit on your way to or from breakfast or lunch.
Address: Williams Esplanade (car park Triton St, Palm Cove)
Hours: Usually held first Sunday of selected months from 8 am to 2 pm
Cost: Free
4 Palm Cove Jetty
For a wonderful view of Palm Cove, make sure to wander out to the end of Palm Cove Jetty. Since it looks back at the beach, the end of the jetty is the prime spot to take a postcard-perfect photo.
Originally built in 1986 as a departure platform for Great Barrier Reef cruise vessels, the jetty is today a prime fishing platform. Locals catch everything from Mackerel to grunter and whiting.
5 Get pampered at a day spa
No relaxing tropical destination would be complete without a place to get pampered, and Palm Cove is no exception.
There are a few fantastic day spas to choose from.
For massages, we recommend Soul Escapes Wellness Sanctuary, which features massage techniques from around the world from their expert staff. Bookings are necessary due to its popularity!
Paradise Day Spa at Peppers Palm Cove is ideal for those looking for luxurious treatments, including massages, facials, body scrubs, and beauty treatments. Meanwhile, Palm Cove Spa & Beauty is all about personalised treatments, including facials, massages, and beauty appointments. They use natural, organic products infused with skin superfoods.
If you’re looking for relaxing things to do in Palm Cove for couples, then the Spa & Dine package at Vie Spa Palm Cove is a romantic option. It includes a 60-minute massage or facial, followed by a two-course lunch and a glass of wine at Lagoon Bar. You’ll also be able to use the resort pool facilities throughout the day of your package.
6 Palm Cove’s Restaurants
Enjoy delicious seafood and other culinary delights at Palm Cove’s waterfront restaurants and cafes. The dining scene offers a range of cuisines, from fresh seafood to international fare.
Whether you’re looking for a world-class restaurant with innovative chefs or a laid-back beachside coffee shop, Palm Cove has you sorted.
Top-rated restaurants include Vivo Palm Cove, which has outdoor seating, outstanding food from nasi goreng to fresh Barramundi, and great cocktails. Head to Nu Nu for beachside Australian cuisine shaded by palms, with a changing fresh menu to suit the seasons.
Alternatively, Kushi Yakitori Bar is a fabulous choice for Japanese food, while Miguels is the place to go for tapas and delicious wine.
For cafes, Garage is a great little spot with superb coffee, fab service, and a delicious menu – definitely worth heading here for breakfast. Other good coffee spots are 27 Degrees and Espresso & Co, or The Beach Hut Cafe & Juice Bar for a casual setting with healthy options such as açai bowls.
7 Kayak tour
To make the most of your time in Palm Cove, you really must explore from the water, so a kayak tour is undoubtedly one of the top activities in Palm Cove.
On a kayak tour with Pacific Watersports, it’s just 20 minutes to paddle to the edge of the inner Great Barrier Reef. You will paddle towards Double Island and explore the mangroves here, as well as look down at the coral reef and maybe the cave if the conditions are right.
Most of the time, the water is crystal clear, offering a perfect view down on small rays, colourful schools of fish, shovel nose sharks and sea turtles. If you’re very lucky, you might even see dugongs or dolphins. Winter is the best time of year to visit Palm Cove if you’re hoping to see whales.
Address: At the Southern end of Williams Esplanade on the beach opposite Numis Ice Cream shop
Hours: Tour times vary, check their website for details
Cost: Kayak tours from $80 per person
8 Hartley’s Crocodile Adventures
Located near Palm Cove, Hartley’s offers a chance to see crocodiles up close in a safe environment and is undoubtedly one of the top 10 things to do in Palm Cove for families.
At this award-winning wildlife park, you can take a wetlands tour on a boat to cruise past cassowaries, crocodiles, and other fascinating wildlife.
Besides the crocs, there are over 2100 pathways and timber boardwalks to explore, each leading to a variety of birds, reptiles, and native fauna. They also hold a number of educational wildlife presentations on iconic Aussie animals, including snakes, koalas, crocodiles,s and quolls.
For a family-friendly treat, book the Breakfast with Koalas special. The new Gondwana Gateway is also a great way to learn about the evolution of native wildlife in a stunning forest setting.
Also onsite is Lillies Restaurant, perfect for having lunch while overlooking the lagoon, and the Paperbark Gift Shop.
Address: Captain Cook Hwy, Wangetti
Hours: Daily from 8.30 am to 5 pm
Cost: $45 Adult | $22.50 Child | $112.50 Family (2A + 2C) | Tickets are also available incorporating extra attractions – Click here for more information or to book
9 Beach yoga
Continue a holiday of self-care and sun with Beach Yoga! Welcoming both locals and visitors, beginners and experienced yogis, Hartig Yoga run their classes right beside the ocean outside Alamanda Resty.
Shaded by palm trees and serenaded by ocean waves, there’s no better place to move and breathe. You’ll leave feeling as relaxed as those gently swaying palms.
Address: Hartig Yoga, Outside Alamanda Resort on the grass near the beach – if wet, yoga takes place in the Alamanda Resort’s lobby opposite the main reception
Cost: $24 for a single session | $90 5 class pass
Hours: Class times vary so check their website
10 Ian Stephens Gallery
One of the top activities to do in Palm Cove for art lovers is visiting the Ian Stephens Gallery.
Located on the main esplanade, this charming art gallery offers a delightful shopping experience with its collection of original paintings and prints – perfect for a souvenir of your time in tropical Queensland.
Renowned artist Ian Stephens relocated from Melbourne to pursue his passion for tropical living and has been capturing its beauty in his stunning artworks since 1992. Explore his captivating depictions of flora, fauna, and natural landscapes, and take home a canvas print to infuse your interiors with holiday vibes.
Address: Shop 3/139 Williams Esplanade, Palm Cove, North Queensland
Hours: Daily from 10 am to 4 pm
Cost: Free
11 Hire a kayak or SUP
Explore unique things to do and see around Palm Cove at your own pace by hiring a kayak or SUP from Palm Cove Watersports. During stinger season, you can also hire a stinger suit to keep you protected.
This friendly Australian business can help you plan your route. A popular route is kayaking to Double Island and seeing the wildlife here. Look out for turtles, rays, and much more beneath the crystal-clear water.
Address: Palm Cove Watersports, 149 Williams Esplanade, Palm Cove
Hours: Daily from 8.30 am
Cost: $30 ph for single kayak | $40 ph for double kayak | $25 ph for SUP | $5 stinger suit hire
Tours of Palm Cove
If you’re looking for fun things to do in Palm Cove, a day tour is a great option so you can sit back and relax and explore the region without having to drive.
Kuranda and Palm Cove Day Tour from Port Douglas
If you don’t have time to stay in Palm Cove, you can visit as part of a day tour from Port Douglas.
During the tour, you’ll also visit Kuranda, known as the ‘Village in the Rainforest’, renowned for its vibrant arts and crafts markets, where you can leisurely browse through Aboriginal artifacts, handmade leather goods, woodwork, and jewellery.
From Kuranda, you’ll see a World Heritage-listed ancient rainforest. You can upgrade your tour to see the breathtaking scenery up close from the Skyrail Rainforest Cableway and historic Kuranda Scenic Railway.
At Palm Cove, you’ll enjoy a signature drink, meander down the stunning Esplanade, and watch a gorgeous sunset.
Click here for more information or to book
Hartleys Crocodile Half Day Adventure
This top-rated half-day tour is all about getting up close and personal with Australia’s native wildlife and is easily considered one of the most fun things to do around Palm Cove for families.
You’ll begin your exciting day at Hartley’s Crocodile Adventures, where you’ll encounter the iconic reptilian predator, the crocodile, up close! You’ll wander through approximately two thousand meters of boardwalks and pathways across the park, including towards Hartley’s Lagoon for prime wetland tours and crocodile sightings in their natural habitat.
In addition to crocodiles, you can see the region’s iconic flightless birds. Or venture along the Wildlife Discovery trail to encounter freshwater crocodiles, lizards, and a walk-through bird aviary showcasing local biodiversity.
Conclude your adventure at the Gondwana Gateway, delving into the evolutionary process shaping Australia’s unique fauna. It’s a day of excitement, education, and exploration, perfect for the entire family!
Click here for more information or to book
Day Trips from Palm Cove
While staying in Palm Cove, why not consider a day trip to one of the following nearby places?
Kuranda
For an exciting way to experience Australia’s ancient rainforests, take a ride on the historic Kuranda Scenic Railway or Skyrail Rainforest Cableway.
These unique experiences allow visitors to glide over and around the rainforest canopies, allowing you to view this unique ecosystem up close.
Kuranda is also known for its village markets, cute eateries, and wildlife parks.
Click here for our full guide on best things to do in Kuranda.
Cairns
Head into Cairns, best known as the gateway to the Great Barrier Reef. But besides snorkelling, diving, and cruising around the world-famous reef, there’s also plenty to do inland.
A perfect day in Cairns includes walking along the Esplanade, swimming in Cairns Lagoon, and heading to the beach. For families, don’t miss Cairns Aquarium, go white water rafting through the scenic Barron and Tully Rivers, or take a nocturnal wildlife tour.
For the grown-ups, a tour of the breweries or a romantic dinner cruise are perfect activities to round up your Cairns day trip.
Great Barrier Reef tours depart from Cairns, and some tours include transfers from hotels – click here to find out more or to book
Click here for our full guide on things to do in Cairns.
Port Douglas
Port Douglas is a stunning coastal town known for its picturesque beaches, lush tropical rainforests, and rich cultural heritage.
Visitors to Port Douglas can enjoy various outdoor activities, including swimming, snorkelling, and fishing. The town has several popular attractions, including the famous Four Mile Beach and the iconic St Mary’s by the Sea Chapel.
Port Douglas is also a food lover’s paradise, with many local restaurants, cafes, and bars offering delicious cuisine and tropical cocktails. From fresh seafood to exotic tropical fruits, Port Douglas is a great place to sample the flavours of Far North Queensland.
In addition to its natural beauty, Port Douglas is rich in cultural heritage, with a range of historic sites and landmarks to explore.
If you’re wondering how to get from Palm Cove to Port Douglas, it’s just a 45-minute drive north of Palm Cove, although a shuttle bus is also available.
Click here for our full guide on things to do in Port Douglas (coming soon).
Best places to stay in Palm Cove
Looking for the best places to stay? Palm Cove has so many amazing options. We’ve rounded up our favourite Palm Cove accommodation in this guide.
Where possible, it’s recommended that you book through Booking.com. They offer a wide range of room types and most have free cancellation, which is ideal for last-minute changes.
However, if you want our recommendation for a hotel, below we’ve listed our top pick for a luxury option, family resort, mid-range hotel and budget hotel.
Best luxury hotel: The Reef House Boutique Hotel and Spa (Adults only)
The Reef House Boutique Hotel is a luxurious property that provides everything you want in a tropical escape. Located on the beachfront and moments away from the top boutiques, eateries, and watersports activities.
With a wide range of rooms, suites and apartments to suit couples or small groups, there’s something for every style. Individually furnished rooms include a balcony or patio, sitting areas with a TV, and a fridge. Many rooms include spas.
Facilities include two swimming pools, the award-winning Day Spa and Reef House Restaurant, a personal concierge for arranging tours and more, a gift shop, a guest library, and unlimited use of vintage cruiser bikes and fishing rods.
Signature guest inclusions are sure to provide an ultimate couples’ escape, with a welcome drink on arrival, daily poolside sorbet, canapes at twilight, cocktail classes, and yoga.
With all this and more, there’s a good chance that once you reach The Reef House Boutique Hotel and Spa, you’ll never want to leave.
Click here for more information or to book
Best family accommodation: Peppers Beach Club and Spa
For a family-friendly accommodation that overlooks the beach and is close to the top Palm Cove tourist attractions, Peppers Beach Club and Spa is an ideal option.
With elegant air-conditioned rooms sleeping between two and ten people, the hotel is ideal for large groups and families. Room options range between suites and large, three-bedroom apartments, depending on your needs.
Most rooms have balconies with a garden or ocean view, a private kitchen, laundry facilities, and a living space with a TV, while smaller options for couples have a spa bath.
Onsite facilities include 3 swimming pools, a tennis court, a picnic area with BBQs, a tour desk, play equipment, and in-house movies – perfect for keeping the kids entertained. There is also a spa pool, fitness area, and airport shuttle. The onsite restaurant is open for breakfast, lunch and dinner, and serves modern Australian cuisine overlooking the ocean.
For beachside accommodation with family rooms and plenty to keep everyone entertained, you can’t go wrong with Peppers Beach Club & Spa.
Click here for more information or to book
Best mid-range hotel: Drift Palm Cove
Just around the corner from the town’s top eateries and opposite the beach, the luxury apartments at Drift Palm Cove offer the perfect combination of convenience and seclusion.
Rooms range from a studio for two people to three-bedroom apartments sleeping up to ten people. Units come with a kitchenette with a microwave, stovetop, and dishwasher, and a balcony, air-conditioning, and a TV. Many have ocean views.
The highlight is the beautiful, lagoon-style pool, which is surrounded by sun loungers and landscaped tropical gardens. You can also make use of the poolside BBQ facilities and a fitness centre.
For a comfortable getaway that’s moments from the beach and top Palm Cove tourist activities, Drift is a wonderful option.
Click here for more information or to book
Best budget hotel: Melaleuca Resort
To experience the magic of Palm Cove’s ocean scenery while on a budget, Melaleuca Resort offers comfortable, well-located rooms just around the corner from the beach.
Each air-conditioned self-contained apartment sleeps up to three people. Units feature laundry facilities, a lounge area with a TV, and a private balcony with either pool and garden or sea views. The private kitchen has a fridge, microwave, toaster, dishwasher and stovetop.
The stunning accommodation also has an outdoor swimming pool surrounded by a lush garden, three in-pool spas, barbecue facilities, and a guest library. They also offer an airport shuttle.
For stunning Palm Cove accommodation that’s great value for money, you won’t find it better than Melaleuca Resort.
Click here for more information or to book
Enjoy Palm Cove!
Hopefully, this guide has given you lots of inspiration for your Palm Cove things to do list.
If you’re planning a trip to Palm Cove, I highly recommend you check out our North Queensland guide which provides links to everything you need to know to plan your trip.
I’d also recommend you join our free Queensland Travel Guide Facebook community, where you can ask all your questions and find even more great trip suggestions.
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