Beachfront at Alamanda Palm Cove

Where to go

Palm Cove

Tropical North Queensland’s Glamorous Beach Village

Palm Cove is a tiny enclave of luxury hotels and fine-dining restaurants beside a beautiful palm-fringed beach.

My favourite ingredient is heart of palm from a coconut palm. Its exquisite flavour, sublime texture and relative scarcity make it almost unbeatable. I believe it to be the perfect distillation of the spirit of the tropics

Nick Holloway – head chef, Nu Nu restaurant

colourful shops mission beach

BAREFOOT GLAMOUR

About 30 minutes north of Cairns, Palm Cove is a tiny beachside village centred around an esplanade lined with 500-year-old melaleuca trees. Walk around barefoot, choose a bike instead of a car and enjoy a sunset barbecue on the beach. You can hire a kayak and paddle right off the beach or take a tour to nearby Double Island. The Palm Cove jetty is a great fishing spot, with plenty of Spanish mackerel, cod, whiting, stripeys and flathead to be caught.

Reef House

COLONIAL CHARM

Palm Cove may be small (about 2000 people), but it’s home to some spectacular boutique hotels and resorts. The Reef House, built in 1958, is one of Palm Cove’s original properties, a charming colonial beach house with a fantastic pool.

Woman in pool at Alamanda

THE BEACH AT YOUR DOOR

The Alamanda Palm Cove is the only truly beachfront resort in town, sitting right by the sand at the southern end of the esplanade. Quality self-contained apartments are an excellent option for families or the Palm Cove Holiday Park offers caravan and camping sites directly opposite the beach.

Choose your Accommodation

Nu Nu Palm Cove

INNOVATIVE DINING

Dining in Palm Cove ranges from fish and chips on the beach to high-end, award-winning restaurants. Nu Nu serves innovative modern Australian tasting menus with matching wines, Beach Almond does beautifully presented Asian seafood, and Vivo has panoramic views over Double Island.

Tuck into Dining

dog on Palm Cove Beach Cairns

DOG DAY AFTERNOONS

If you like to take your dog on holidays, then Palm Cove is a great choice. There’s a wide range of pet-friendly accommodation and dogs are allowed in several cafes and restaurants. You can also walk them along the beach.

Tips

  • For an unforgettable start to your day, hire a kayak on the beach and paddle out to watch the sunrise from an ocean that’s as smooth as glass.

  • Palm Cove has been dubbed the spa capital of Australia, so take time out to enjoy a massage or treatment at one of the many day spas in town. Many offer specialised menus using native Australian ingredients, and treatments can be enjoyed in serene rooms tucked away in the rainforest or in open-air pavilions by the beach.

  • Palm Cove is also one of Australia’s most popular wedding destinations, with venues ranging from tiny beachfront chapels to rooftop terraces and stylish modern resorts.

  • Be safe in the water. From October to June, marine stingers (including box jellyfish) are found in the ocean off Palm Cove. During this time, swim only within netted areas.

Discover More

Discover all the glamour and gorgeousness Palm Cove has to offer – or escape to the surrounding regions to find the secret spots locals love.

palm cove

Getting here

  • By bus

    Shuttle services are available between Cairns and Palm Cove although, scheduled public services also operate. Shuttle services and private transfers are also available from Cairns and Port Douglas.

  • By car

    Self-drive or hire a car and find your way to Palm Cove from any local port in Tropical North Queensland.

Stay

It’s luxury, luxury and more luxury in Palm Cove.

 

#exploreTNQ #explorecairnsGBR

Your troubles will be floating far behind you after checking in to @peppersbeachclubspa in @visitpalmcove 🩵🌴

With incredible lagoon pools, swim up bar, fine dining, stunning coastal in-room vibes, you’ll never want to leave ✨🍹

📸 @hannah.klue #exploreTNQ #explorecairnsGBR #thisisqueensland #seeaustralia #palmcove
Hello Palm Cove 😍🌴

That's all, nothing further, continue your scrolling 😊

📸 @queensland #explorecairnsGBR #exploreTNQ #seeaustralia #thisisqueensland #palmcove
Say hello to pretty Palm Cove - your one stop shop for laid back luxury, great food and endless dreamy views 🌴🦋

Make sure you @visitpalmcove on your next tropical adventure 🙌

📸 @braedanlovett #exploreTNQ #explorecairnsGBR #thisisqueensland #seeaustralia #palmcove #visitpalmcove
From where you’d rather be 🌴 We give you one guess where @visitpalmcove got it’s name 🤔 But pretty palms aren’t the only reason to visit this beachside village – you’ll also find 500 year-old melaleuca trees dotted between restaurants, resorts & day spas. Aussies, who needs a passport when this paradise is only a short flight away? 🛫

📸 @thatgirlfrommountains #exploreTNQ #explorecairnsGBR #thisisqueensland #seeaustralia #palmcove
This is how you make the most of warm sunny days in the tropics 🍉

@visitpalmcove might be one of our favourite tropical beaches & it's not hard to see why 🌴 Not only is there stunning sandy shores to kick back & relax on, but there's so much more to explore! Walk around barefoot, choose a bike instead of a car & buy fresh seafood for a sunset barbecue on the beach 🦐🌺 You can hire a kayak & paddle right off the beach or head out to nearby #DoubleIsland 🏝 The Palm Cove jetty is a great fishing spot, with plenty of Spanish mackerel, cod, whiting, stripeys and flathead to be caught 🎣

⚠️ Remember - If you choose to swim, only do so at patrolled beaches & make sure you stay inside the net to stay safe as there may be marine stingers present in the water.

📸 @hannah.klue #exploreTNQ #exploreCairnsGBR #thisisqueensland #seeaustralia #palmcove
There's only one #DoubleIsland and it's not hard to see why we love it so much 🌴✨ You can paddle your way from @visitpalmcove to the island at sunrise with @palmcovewatersports or @pacific_watersports_palmcove 🛶🙌

Hot tip: We hear the best time do to it is during summer - don't forget your reef-safe sunscreen! ☀️

📸 @jworrall.photography #exploreTNQ #explorecairnsGBR #thisisqueensland #seeaustralia #palmcove
From where you’d rather be 🌴 We give you one guess where @visitpalmcove got it’s name 🤔 But pretty palms aren’t the only reason to visit this beachside village – you’ll also find 500 year-old melaleuca trees dotted between restaurants, resorts & day spas. Aussies, who needs a passport when this paradise is only a short flight away? ✈️ 

#exploreTNQ #thisisqueensland #seeaustralia #palmcove #visitpalmcove

 

Book now and save $100 on tours

Are you visiting Tropical North Queensland soon? Take advantage of our Tropical Dollars and get $100 off tours and experiences* when you book through Experience Oz! Use code TNQ100

*Min spend $200. T&C’s apply. Travel by 21 June 2024.