Cairns Connect Overview
Palm Cove is a true gem. A seaside esplande with lots of grassy areas lined with palm trees makes for a very inviting place to put your feet up with a good book. There is good accommodation, over 20 restaurants, golf courses and of course the views are superb. Palm Cove is a popular spot for Cairns locals wanting to cool off on a typical balmy North Queensland afternoon.

Palm Cove Esplanade

Population
Part of Cairns City 120,000

Distance from closest major city
Approximately 26 km north of the Cairns CBD.

History
Palm Cove received its name for fairly obvious reasons - it is a palm lined cove. In recent times it has become a thriving beach side resort town, popular with locals and tourists alike.

Feel of the town
Palm Cove has a well landscaped beach front Esplanade with shaded grassy areas that provide perfect locations for picnics. Looking out to sea are two islands. Double Island which has a small exclusive resort located at one end, and Scout Hat Island, which looks like a Scouts Hat and it is uninhabited. Palm Cove is mainly a beach destination.

Palm Cove Beach

Things to see
Palm Cove has its own jetty which is a popular fishing hot spot for locals. There are beautiful parklands and walking tracks.

Things to do
Most activities revolve around the beach where you can relax, partake in all kinds of water sports or simply swim. Like all North Queensland beaches, stingers or box jellyfish are around between November and May making it necessary to swim in enclosures. These are clearly marked and the beaches are patrolled all year round. The Novotel Resort at Palm Cove has an excellent Golf Course with visitors welcome. Wild World is an excellent wild life park within walking distance from Palm Cove. Horse riding is popular along the beach at Sunset. Palm Cove is one of the few areas where you can still see kangaroos in the wild, close to a major city. Bird life is also abundant especially on the golf course around sunset. The Council provides free electric BBQ's along the beach front.

» Visit Tours To Go’s extensive range of tours departing Palm Cove

Palm Cove Beach

Places to Stay
Most of the accommodation at Palm Cove is resort style. It is generally quite new and of a good standard. The self contained accommodation in Palm Cove is also very popular.

» Browse our Palm Cove accommodation

Places to Eat
Palm Cove has a number of good restaurants. Bookings are always advisable as Palm Cove can often be extremely busy especially during school holidays. Takeaway food is available on the Esplanade.

» Visit Cairns Dining’s Palm Cove restaurants section

Services
Palm Cove has basic services available including a grocery store, chemist, tourist information, and car hire. Public transport from Cairns to Palm Cove is available with Sunbus, distinctive blue buses that run regularly throughout the day. A taxi fare from Cairns to Palm Cove will cost approximately $35 one way.