Things to do in Palm Cove

Palm Cove is the most upmarket of Cairns' northern beaches, a village of century-old paperbark and palm trees about 25 minutes north of the city centre on the Captain Cook Highway toward Port Douglas.

Resorts and day spas line a quiet beach that suits people who want a base for the sand rather than downtown nightlife.

Like the other northern beaches, Palm Cove runs stinger nets from November to May, though Irukandji jellyfish are small enough to pass through the mesh, so many swimmers still wear a stinger suit in season. Expect the beachfront to feel sleepy after dark; Cairns centre is where the bars and markets are.