The absolute best accommodation in Palm Cove to try now

Jemma Fletcher Jemma Fletcher
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Your go-to guide on where to find Palm Cove accommodation to suit all budgets.

Craving that instant holiday feeling? Located just 25 minutes north of Cairns in Tropical North Queensland, Palm Cove accommodation offers the perfect blend of luxury, relaxation, and natural beauty, making it one of Australia’s most sought-after holiday destinations.

Whether you’re after a romantic retreat, a family-friendly resort, or a beachfront escape, this coastal village has it all. Take a peek at some of our favourites below.

NRMA Palm Cove Holiday Park

an aerial view of NRMA Palm Cove Holiday Park
Settle into your tropical island retreat. (Image: NRMA Palm Cove Holiday Park)

Best for: Simple stays and pet-friendly

Popular with families, Palm Cove Holiday Park is a classic accommodation option next to the beach. Pick a caravan or camping site and soak up the sweet simplicity. The park is also pet-friendly, so you can bring your four-legged friends along too.

Location: 149 Williams Esplanade, Palm Cove
Average price: $

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Oasis at Palm Cove Resort

Best for: Tropical garden vibes

For a spacious and private stay while surrounded by two and a half acres of manicured tropical gardens, head to Oasis at Palm Cove Resort. Just a short stroll from the esplanade, there’s a mix of apartment sizes to choose from where you’re free to relax on the poolside deck, use the on-site BBQs, and hit the tennis courts.

Location: 1 McDonald Close, Palm Cove
Average price: $$ 

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Melaleuca Resort Palm Cove

the beachfront Melaleuca Resort Palm Cove accommodation
Stay in a self-contained apartment near the beach. (Image: Melaleuca Resort Palm Cove)

Best for: Old-fashioned hospitality

Escape the bustle of the esplanade inside the gates of Melaleuca Resort Palm Cove, where you’ll find one-bedroom self-contained apartments and a vibrant tropical garden featuring a lagoon-style walk-in pool. On-site managers Margaret and Stephen offer a warm and friendly welcome.

Location: 85 – 93 Williams Esplanade, Palm Cove
Average price: $$

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The Sebel Palm Cove

Best for: Long or self-sufficient stays

Take in the views of the Coral Sea from your private balcony at The Sebel Palm Cove. Along with a fully-equipped kitchen, laundry facilities and family-sized seating areas, this stylish resort has all the amenities you need for a comfortable stay.

Location: Coral Coast Drive, Palm Cove
Average price: $$

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Mantra Amphora Palm Cove

the outdoor pool at Mantra Amphora Palm Cove
Bask in tropical vibes at Mantra Amphora Palm Cove.

Best for: Mixed budgets

With apartments to suit every type of traveller, Mantra Amphora is an affordable option for many budgets. When you’re not taking a soak in the heated spa, you’re just a hop, skip and jump from the bustling esplanade.

Location: 49-63 Williams Esplanade, Palm Cove
Average price: $$ – $$$

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Drift Palm Cove

a private tub with sea views at Drift Palm Cove accommodation
Wake up to sweeping sea views at Drift Palm Cove. (Image: Supplied)

Best for: Huge lagoon pool

Another idyllic beachfront option is Drift Palm Cove, adorned with tranquil, seaside decor. With a deluxe 1/4 acre lagoon pool, a  12-seater spa and a gymnasium, it’s the perfect place to relax and unwind.

Location: Cnr Williams Esplanade & Veivers Rd, Palm Cove

Average price: $$$

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Peppers Beach Club & Spa Palm Cove

a couple relaxing at the pool, Peppers Beach Club & Spa Palm Cove accommodation
Relax at the resort’s rainforest rock pool. (Image: Tourism and Events Queensland)

Best for: Communal areas for groups

Chic and contemporary spring to mind at Peppers Beach Club — perfect for a relaxing family holiday. Choose between a variety of one-, two- and three-bedroom suites, and spend your days relaxing at the resort’s rainforest rock pool, cooling off in the lagoon pool or cooking up a BBQ on the rooftop terrace.

Location: 123 Williams Esplanade, Palm Cove
Average price: $$$

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The Villas Palm Cove

a plunge pool in front of The Villas Palm Cove accommodation
The self-contained villas have plunge pool access. (Image: The Villas Palm Cove)

Best for: Own plunge pool

Need a little more space? Choose from a collection of spacious open-plan contemporary one-to-four bedroom self-contained villas and apartments — perfect for groups, friends and families of all sizes. Each accommodation at The Villas Palm Cove has its own saltwater plunge pool, as well as a private courtyard decorated with palm trees, Melaleucas and other native plants.

Location: 24 Warren Street, Palm Cove
Average price: $$$

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Reef Retreat

a saltwater pool at Reef Retreat, Palm Cove accommodation
Reef Retreat features a heated saltwater pool.

Best for: Close to the beach

Located just 50 metres from Palm Cove Beach and restaurants, Reef Retreat is an intimate boutique retreat immersed in a tropical green landscape. Whether you’re after a studio, one-, two- or three-bedroom apartment, each option is thoughtfully designed to give you all the comforts of home.

Location: 10 – 14 Harpa Street, Palm Cove
Average price: $$$ – $$$$

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Pullman Palm Cove Sea Temple Resort and Spa

two women entering the pool area at Pullman Palm Cove Sea Temple Resort and Spa
Pop into the poolside lagoon bar for a relaxing afternoon. (Image: Tourism Tropical North Queensland/Tourism Palm Cove)

Best for: A luxury escape

If you’re looking for five-star luxury, Pullman Palm Cove Sea Temple Resort and Spa is the one for you. Here you can order a cocktail at the poolside lagoon bar, indulge in world-class therapies at its on-site Vie Spa and dine at the tropical terrace restaurant Temple of Tastes.

Location: 5 Triton Street, Palm Cove
Average price: $$$$

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Alamanda Palm Cove by Lancemore

pool at Alamanda Palm Cove by Lancemore, Palm Cove accommodation
Laze beside one of the three pools at Alamanda Palm Cove by Lancemore. (Image: Tourism Tropical North Queensland)

Best for: Direct beach access

As the only resort in Tropical North Queensland with direct beach access, it’s never been more convenient to relax than at Alamanda Palm Cove by Lancemore. When you’ve had your share of sand and waves, laze beside one of the three pools (choose between adults-only or kids-friendly), soak in a treatment at its renowned L. M. Spa or dine at nearby beachfront restaurant, Nu Nu.

Location: 1 Veivers Road, Palm Cove
Average price: $$$$

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The Reef House Adults Retreat

the pool at The Reef House Adults Retreat, Palm Cove accommodation
Relax in the Japanese-style mineral pool. (Image: The Reef House Adults Retreat)

Best for: A couple’s retreat

For a tranquil stay without kids by the pool, The Reef House situated in the heart of Palm Cove is the ultimate adults-only escape. Enjoy a gin-infused welcome drink on arrival, daily wellness classes, luxury room touches, and its award-winning restaurant and spa.

Location: 99 Williams Esplanade, Palm Cove
Average price: $$$$$

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Now you’ve got your accommodation sorted, here’s every Palm Cove restaurant you need to know about. 

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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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Tropical islands, good food & world-class shows: Your eventful guide to a holiday in Townsville

    Lee Mylne Lee Mylne
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    Townsville is buzzing as the events capital of North Queensland, with a host of festivals, international sporting and arts events on offer.

    Perched between the Coral Sea, the towering pink monolith of Castle Hill, and fringed by ancient rainforest ranges, Townsville North Queensland is a genuine tropical playground.

    Here, find postcard-worthy landscapes all the way from nearby Magnetic Island to inland swimming holes and waterfalls – all dotted with an array of endemic wildlife. Get the heart racing with adrenaline water sports. Soak in a world-class arts scene. And take advantage of a culinary offering that punches well above its weight.

    And, then there’s the fact that Townsville has fast become the destination to an outstanding line-up of events – from live music to top-level sporting contests.

    Whether you have a weekend or weeks, there’s plenty here to fill your tropical getaway.

    Day 1: An eventful day

    Morning

    The Strand in townsville
    Explore The Strand.

    Daily flights offer easy connectivity from all capital cities to Townsville Airport, and within 10 minutes’ drive, you’re in the city centre. Start your stay by recharging with breakfast or coffee at the city’s newest spot, Botaniq Cafe, on the ground floor of the award-winning Bridgewater restaurant on the banks of Ross Creek.

    Start exploring on a breezy walk along the 2.5-kilometre foreshore of The Strand. Here, a waterfront path stretches all the way to the headland of Jezzine Barracks parklands. Admire more than 35 sculptures and artworks, as well as stunning views from the top of the park. Further along, Queens Gardens, established in 1870, offers a cool retreat and is Townsville’s oldest botanic garden.

    Stroll Gregory Street, off The Strand, for boutiques, homeware stores, cafes and restaurants, or follow a self-guided street art walking trail through the city centre, stopping to admire colourful works by big-name artists including Queenslander Fintan Magee.

    Afternoon

    concert in front of castle hill townsville events
    Time your trip for one of many Townsville events.

    For a casual lunch, stop in at Balabite for Mediterranean and Middle Eastern-inspired street food. Build your own pita with a choice of fillings, before enjoying a relaxing afternoon in preparation for one of Townsville’s big events.

    Whether it’s a concert from a big-name international band – think Foo Fighters or Guns ‘n’ Roses – or a night cheering on the Wallabies in the Rugby World Cup, there’s plenty to entertain you.

    Time your visit for events like the Townsville Folk Festival (June 12-14), Supercars Townsville 500 (July 10-12), Sealink Magnetic Island Race Week (August 27-September 2), North Australian Festival of Arts (September 25 – October 11) or see the Wallabies in the Rugby World Cup (coming in 2027).

    Day 2: Island dreaming

    Morning

    Pilgrim Sailing magnetic island
    Take a lunchtime sailing trip with Pilgrim Sailing.

    Fuel up with breakfast at Cbar on The Strand, looking out to your destination for the day: Magnetic Island (or ‘Maggie’ to the locals). Catch a quick ferry to spend the day exploring walking trails through national park, choosing from 23 beaches and trying a hand at the island’s water sports.

    The Forts Walk is the best place to see wild koalas in Australia, and you’re likely to find friendly wallabies at the Nelly or Geoffrey Bay headlands. Try guided snorkelling with Aquascene Magnetic Island or Pleasure Divers, or take a land-based tour with MI Ride Discovery Tours to the secluded west coast of the island.

    Pilgrim Magnetic Island offers four-hour lunchtime sailing trips aboard a 58-foot luxury yacht, dropping in to some of Magnetic Island’s remote bays for snorkelling or swimming and including gourmet grazing platters, drinks and ocean views.

    Afternoon

    picnic bay on magnetic island
    Head to Picnic Bay for delicious dining.

    Refuel after a morning of adventure. Seasalt Arcade at Picnic Bay has several good options. Savour craft brews and Latin tapas at Maggie Island Brewery, opt for bagels and light bites at Lava Lava cafe or fine dining at Restaurant Elsie.

    Now, it’s time to choose your own adventure. Stay the whole day on Maggie, or return to Townsville, where there’s plenty more to discover.

    Head to The Docks at Flinders Street Wharves for lunch. Spend the afternoon relaxing by the beach or join Poseidon Adventures for water sport adventures.

    Evening

    Ardo's Rooftop townsville
    End your day watching the sunset from Ardo’s Rooftop.

    However your day looked, end it with cocktails and canapes at Townsville’s Ardo Rooftop. Find something more substantial at the hotel’s elegant but casual Chef-hatted Japanese restaurant Terasu, where each dish is a work of art.

    Day 3: Natural delights

    Morning

    couple holiding hands at the top of castle hill in townsville
    Join the locals for an early walk to the peak of Castle Hill. (Credit: My Colourful World)

    Join the local early morning pilgrimage to hike up Castle Hill for the best 360-degree views in town, before heading to breakfast at Spirited Goat for gourmet treats and locally brewed coffee.

    A trip to Townsville wouldn’t be complete without a visit to the outer Great Barrier Reef. For those with time, Adrenalin Snorkel and Dive runs full-day trips to the Museum of Underwater Art for snorkellers and divers to admire the reef’s stunning collection of submerged sculptures on John Brewer Reef, about two hours by boat from Townsville.

    Afternoon

    Shorehouse restaurant townsville
    Stop into the award-winning Shorehouse.

    Round off your Townsville getaway with lunch at Shorehouse, awarded Best Restaurant in the North Queensland People’s Choice Awards every year since 2023. Dine on the deck to catch the breeze and sample modern Asian cuisine as you watch the world go.

    Keen for something more to extend your stay? There are always more adventures –new, familiar and with a twist – in the events capital of the North.

    Plan your eventful visit to Townsville North Queensland at townsvillenorthqueensland.com.au.