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12 of the most memorable things to do in Palm Cove

Credit: Tourism Tropical North Queensland

Jemma Fletcher Jemma Fletcher
Discover the beaches, dining, wellness and outdoor adventures that make Palm Cove unforgettable.

Just a 30-minute drive north of Cairns, Palm Cove is a pretty pocket of Tropical North Queensland where palm-fringed beaches, award-winning day spas and waterfront dining set the pace. But this laid-back village offers more than just sea and sand. Whether you’re visiting for the day or settling in for a longer escape, here are the best things to do in Palm Cove.

In short

If you only do one thing in Palm Cove, spend a morning strolling Williams Esplanade before settling in for breakfast overlooking Palm Cove Beach. The palm-fringed foreshore perfectly captures the laid-back charm of the village, with boutique shopping, cafés, luxury resorts and one of Tropical North Queensland’s most beautiful beaches all within a few minutes’ walk.

1. Stroll along Williams Esplanade

Palm Cove beach
Palm Cove Beach is just a few steps away from Williams Esplanade. (Credit: Tourism Tropical North Queensland)

What’s beautifully convenient about Palm Cove is that the village is centred around Williams Esplanade, a stunning stretch of coastline fringed with Melaleuca trees, cafes, boutiques and alluring beach nooks to explore. All you need are sunnies, a hat and a good pair of walking shoes and you’re good to go. Take a stroll or hire a bike to see it for yourself, then settle in for breakfast at Espresso & Co, perched at its timber breakfast bar with uninterrupted views of Palm Cove Beach.

Good to know: Williams Esplanade is at its most magical just after sunrise, when the cafés are opening, the beach is quiet and the Melaleuca trees cast long shadows across the foreshore.

2. Visit Palm Cove Beach

Palm Cove beach from above
What’s a visit to Palm Cove without visiting its hero beach? (Credit: Tourism Tropical North Queensland)

Palm Cove Beach ticks all the boxes – it’s uncrowded, has a swimming net and is regularly patrolled by lifeguards. Got your pooch in tow? Find an area of beach reserved for dog walking on the northern side of the jetty. It’s also one of the best places in the village to watch the sunrise with a coffee in hand.

3. Walk the Wangetti Trail

Ellis Beach, Palm Cove
Find palm trees along the tranquil coastal stretch of Ellis Beach. (Credit: Tourism Tropical North Queensland)

One of Tropical North Queensland’s newest walking trails, the Wangetti Trail is already making a name for itself as one of Australia’s most scenic coastal walks. The first section links Palm Cove with Ellis Beach, weaving through rainforest, across elevated boardwalks and past spectacular lookouts over the Coral Sea. Whether you tackle the full trail or simply walk a section, it’s a brilliant way to experience Palm Cove’s natural beauty beyond the beach.

Good to know: Start early to beat the heat, bring plenty of water and keep an eye out for sea eagles, butterflies and the occasional wallaby along the way.

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4. Head to a day spa

The Reef House Adults Retreat Palm Cove
A rejuvenating stay awaits at The Reef House Adults Retreat Palm Cove. (Credit: Tourism Tropical North Queensland)

Palm Cove is a mecca for wellness lovers. Home to some of the country’s best luxury hotels, this coastal village is renowned for its abundance of award-winning spas. Whether you fancy a wellness probiotic facial at Vie Spa, a mango and coconut body wrap at L.M. Spa, or a salt crystal exfoliation at Reef House Spa, you’ll feel relaxed in no time.

Good to know: Book ahead during school holidays and the dry season, when Palm Cove’s most popular day spas can fill up quickly.

5. Enjoy a taste of the tropics

NuNu's restaurant outdoor area
Enjoy beachfront dining at Nu Nu. (Credit: Tourism Tropical North Queensland)

Palm Cove punches well above its weight when it comes to dining. Book a table at beachfront favourite Nu Nu Restaurant for modern Australian dishes showcasing Tropical North Queensland produce, settle in for long lunches overlooking the Coral Sea or wander the esplanade to discover everything from Thai and Greek to casual cafés and gelaterias.

6. Find a treasure at the Palm Cove Markets

Palm Cove Markets
The iconic market takes over the beachfront esplanade. (Credit: Tourism Tropical North Queensland)

With a focus on sustainable and locally made products, the Palm Cove Markets have a reputation for being one of Tropical North Queensland’s best community markets. With over 130 stalls stretched across Williams Esplanade and entertainment alongside beachside scenery, it’s a market experience unlike anything you’re used to at home.

Good to know: Held on the first Sunday of every month, 8am–2pm. Free entry.

7. Browse the local shops

Looking to take a piece of Palm Cove home with you? Shopping here is an activity all by itself. Meander around the cluster of boutiques, gift stores, and souvenir shops along Williams Esplanade or explore the Ian Stephens Fine Art Gallery. With a sea breeze in your ear and bars along the way to stop in at for a colourful cocktail, it’s a shopping experience you wish you could have every weekend.

8. Walk to Palm Cove Jetty

Palm Cove Jetty from above
Go fishing at Palm Cove Jetty. (Credit: Tourism and Events Queensland)

Stretching out into the Coral Sea, the Palm Cove Jetty is one of the village’s best spots for sweeping coastal views. Take a stroll to the end for a postcard-worthy photo, particularly at sunrise or sunset, or bring a fishing rod and cast a line for species such as Spanish mackerel, cod, whiting and flathead. Need gear? Pedro’s Fishing Hire has everything you need to get started.

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9. Kayak with turtles

One of the best ways to experience Palm Cove’s coastline is from the water. Join a guided kayak tour to paddle across the calm waters off Palm Cove, keeping an eye out for green and hawksbill turtles, colourful fish and other marine life along the way. You’ll glide past the fringing reef and enjoy spectacular views back to the palm-lined beach, with a stop at Double Island adding to the adventure. Suitable for beginners and experienced paddlers alike, it’s a memorable half-day experience for anyone wanting to see Palm Cove from a different perspective.

Good to know: Morning tours usually offer the calmest conditions and the best chance of spotting turtles.

10. Join a beachside yoga class

towering palm trees at Alamanda Resort
Partake in sunrise beach yoga under the shade of palm trees. (Credit: Tourism Tropical North Queensland)

Want to move, breathe, and relax next to the ocean? Whether you’re a tourist or local, you can do all that with Hartig Yoga under the palm trees outside of the Alamanda Resort. From gentle yoga and sunrise beach yoga to vinyasa yoga that strings a series of poses together seamlessly, there’s a class to suit every experience level.

11. Enjoy the beachfront playground

Families with young kids will be interested to hear there’s an enclosed beach playground on the foreshore, perfect for little legs to burn some energy. Grab a takeaway coffee from one of the cafes opposite and settle in for some scenic fun.

12. Find your perfect stay

balcony view at Drift Palm Cove
Unwind at Drift Palm Cove. (Credit: Supplied)

Palm Cove is home to everything from luxury beachfront resorts and adults-only retreats to family-friendly apartments and boutique hideaways. Whether you’re planning a romantic escape, a wellness weekend or a tropical family holiday, there’s accommodation to suit every style and budget. Browse our guide to the best accommodation in Palm Cove to find your perfect base.

Planning a trip to Palm Cove? Check out more of our recommendations here:

The best accommodation in Palm Cove | The best restaurants in Palm Cove | The best accommodation in Palm Cove

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Jemma Fletcher
Based in sun-kissed Brisbane, Jemma Fletcher is an accomplished writer, editor and content manager. Armed with a Bachelor of Journalism from The University of Queensland, as well as over a decade of tourism marketing experience, Jemma now specialises in freelance travel writing and has a soft spot for the beauty of Queensland. Her expertise has been honed through her previous roles as Chief Editor of Queensland.com and WeekendNotes.com and she is the passionate creator of High Cup of Tea, an online directory celebrating Australia's finest high tea experiences. After growing up in the UK (hence her love for tea and scones) and a delightful chapter in Sydney, Jemma loves to explore quaint towns with a rich history. Also high on her weekend list is tasting the local cafe scene, enjoying charming farm stays with her young family and deciding where her next travel adventure will be (half of the fun is in the planning!)
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8 reasons to book a stay at the reimagined Reefworld now

    Imogen Eveson Imogen Eveson
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    Cruise Whitsundays’ famous Reefworld has undergone a complete transformation – here’s why it has become one of Australia’s most extraordinary places to spend the night.

    Imagine sleeping under the stars or beneath the sea, snorkelling vibrant coral gardens, and enjoying a dining experience that wouldn’t feel out of place at a top restaurant – all from a pontoon moored on the Great Barrier Reef. In a country that excels at extraordinary, immersive travel experiences, the reimagined Reefworld in Queensland’s Whitsundays has joined the upper echelons.

    Cruise Whitsundays has unveiled an extensive transformation of Reefworld, its pontoon permanently moored at Hardy Reef on the outer Great Barrier Reef.

    First opened in 2019, Reefworld is home to the famous underwater Reefsuites – Australia’s first underwater hotel – and was originally designed as a dual-purpose pontoon for both day visitors and overnight guests.

    Now, it has been transformed into an overnight-only experience, giving guests exclusive access to the pontoon and the reef, with more space, greater comfort and a more immersive way to experience this unique environment.

    The transformation forms part of Journey Beyond’s $40 million investment in responsible reef tourism in the region.

    Read on for eight reasons to book a stay at the reimagined Reefworld now.

    1. A scenic cruise through the Whitsundays

    cruise whitsundays boat on Great Barrier Reef Adventure tour
    Start with a cruise of the gorgeous Whitsundays.

    Your journey to Reefworld begins with a scenic cruise through the Whitsundays: dark-green islands daubed on an endless expanse of blue. Welcome to Ngaro Sea Country.

    Departing Port of Airlie, Daydream Island or Hamilton Island, a high-speed catamaran with priority boarding for Reefworld guests will whisk you across the Coral Sea to the outer reef.

    From next year, a new 35-metre catamaran will join the Cruise Whitsundays fleet, featuring an exclusive-use lounge area reserved for Reefworld guests. Snacks and refreshments are available onboard.

    Depending on the time of year, migrating humpback whales may pass you on your journey.

    2. A sense of arrival

    aerial view of new cruise whitsunday reefworld pontoon
    Watch as your home on the reef rolls into view.

    Around two hours after leaving Hamilton Island, the Reefworld pontoon shimmers into view on the horizon.

    As you sail closer towards Hardy Reef – where the pontoon is permanently moored – your home for the next 27 hours comes into focus, including the plush new beds where Reefsleep guests will spend the night. Anticipation builds for the unique experience to come.

    The everyday world slips away as you alight the catamaran and step onto the pontoon. Now exclusively reserved for up to 36 overnight guests at a time, it has undergone an extensive transformation.

    The sense of space, peace and quiet is palpable as you’re welcomed with a cold non-alcoholic drink. Dab your brow with a refreshing cold towel and take in the stillness – interrupted only by the sound of flying fish slapping the water’s surface.

    From the moment you arrive in the late morning, the whole place is yours to enjoy. Reefworld has been redeveloped with considered spaces designed to help you make the most of your downtime.

    On the lower deck, you’ll find a bar serving tea, coffee, soft drinks and alcoholic beverages, alongside comfy lounge areas where you can sit back and take in mesmerising reef views.

    Spend the rest of the day at leisure, relaxed in the knowledge that you don’t have to leave again until tomorrow afternoon.

    3. Elevated food and beverage (including quality coffee!)

    cruise whitsunday reefworld food offering
    Indulge in an elevated food and beverage offering onboard.

    Elevated food and drink is central to the new Reefworld experience. The all-inclusive offering focuses on high-quality regional dining.

    A seafood buffet lunch might include Hervey Bay scallops grilled in shell with garlic and herb butter or line-caught reef fish baked with lemon thyme oil.

    A signature three-course dinner paired with premium Australian wines might dish up an entrée of Whitsunday blue swimmer crab wontons with smoked salmon caviar in a butter sauce, a main of Queensland grass-fed beef-eye fillet, and a tropical coconut and pineapple confection for dessert. Dietary requirements are catered for (notify team at time of booking).

    A hot breakfast buffet offers a selection of cooked favourites, smoked salmon, cheeses, and yoghurts, fresh fruit, toast and cereals.

    All-inclusive beverages include bottled beer and cider, soft drinks and Australian wine including sparkling. Or choose from a range of premium spirits and cocktails such as the 74 Islands Limoncello Spritz, made with a liqueur crafted right here in the Whitsundays.

    Perhaps the biggest boon of all? Barista-made coffee, available from 6.30 am. Only in Australia could you order an oat flat white in the middle of a coral reef.

    4. Snorkel one of the GBR’s most diverse reefs

    guests snorkelling the great barrier reef at cruise whitsunday reefworld
    Dive into the Great Barrier Reef.

    Reefworld sits above Hardy Reef, one of the most biologically diverse outer reef systems in the Great Barrier Reef. Exploring it is a simple matter of popping on a mask, snorkel and flippers and slipping into the water straight from the pontoon.

    Being in the outer reef means the water is clear, and marine life is abundant: here you could spot giant trevally, Māori wrasse, clownfish, parrotfish, nudibranch and giant clams, as well as vibrant coral gardens.

    Snorkel at your leisure over two days. Prefer to stay above the water level? Head to the underwater observatory or join an optional semi-submersible guided tour, and you might still spot the resident two-metre-long Queensland grouper, George, doing the rounds. Or Crush, one of 12 resident green sea turtles.

    5. A luxurious sleep under the stars

    cruise whitsunday reefworld pontoon reefsleep beds
    Spend the night in one of 16 spacious, four-poster beds.

    At the heart of the reimagined Reefworld is its elevated Reefsleep experience. On the upper deck are 16 spacious, four-poster beds, replacing the earlier swag-inspired accommodation and giving up to 32 guests the chance to sleep under the stars with increased privacy and added comfort.

    With names like Parrot Fish and Spotted Ray, each Reefbed is of its place and has everything you need: not least a queen-size bed with premium linens, decked out in coastal shades befitting the location. USB charging ports, reading lights and fans provide extra convenience and comfort. The beds are set up as daybeds in the afternoon, then turned down in time for sleep.

    Double-layer canvas and mesh flaps allow you to customise your experience and exposure to the elements: zip up for maximum privacy and shelter or leave wide open to stargaze as you drift off to sleep.

    Come morning, enjoy the luxury of watching the sun rise over the reef from the comfort of the covers (if facing east).

    6. Refreshed underwater Reefsuites

    Reefsuites room at reefworld
    Let the locals form your bedroom view.

    Reefsuites is Australia’s first underwater hotel and remains among the most unique stays in the country – if not the world. Its two suites have had a glow-up as part of Reefworld’s transformation, but the floor-to-ceiling underwater views of the Great Barrier Reef remain unchanged.

    Choose between king double or twin single sleeping configurations, with premium bedding and a glass-walled en suite in each suite. This is your front-row seat to the marine life of the reef in all its nocturnal glory.

    7. A sensational sunset and canapés session

    cruise whitsunday reefworld guests enjooying sunset canapes
    Wait for sunset at Australia’s best bar.

    There’s even a designated new spot for sunset canapés. Could this be Australia’s best bar? That’s what you will be asking come evening, as you gather on the upper deck for a Sunset Canapés session.

    Reefworld’s refreshed design includes a designated space for this very ritual. Grab a drink at the bar – bubbles, perhaps, or a G&T with locally produced gin – and pull up a stool to settle in for one of the most spectacular sunsets you’ll ever see.

    Nibble on a chef’s selection of light bites as the sun puddles into the molten Coral Sea, bathing the entire pontoon in a glorious glow. It doesn’t get more golden hour than this.

    8. Extras: the adventure continues

    tour leader preparing scua diving gear at cruise whitsunday reefworld
    Choose from a range of extra activities to help you keep exploring.

    And that’s not where the adventure ends. Your Reefworld stay also includes access to the underwater observatory and a guided semi-submarine tour, plus a complimentary guided snorkel safari led by expert reef guides. For those looking to do even more, add-ons include scuba diving and scenic flights over Heart Reef, available at an additional cost.

    As part of Cruise Whitsundays’ investment in reef tourism, nearby permanent Heart Pontoon has also undergone a significant refurbishment, further enhancing the visitor experience.

    The details

    Reefworld is open now as an overnight‑only pontoon, exclusively for Reefsleep and Reefsuite guests. Stays start from $895 per person for Reefsleep and $1495 per person for a Reefsuite, based on double occupancy.

    Book an unforgettable sleep out on the Great Barrier Reef at cruisewhitsundays.com.