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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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4 surprising ways to experience the real Gold Coast

Credit: Reuben Nutt

    Rachael Thompson Rachael Thompson
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    There’s more to discover in this buzzing city beyond its thrilling theme parks and pretty beaches.

    One of the world’s most celebrated coastal destinations, the Gold Coast has long drawn in visitors with its endless stretches of golden sand and thrilling theme parks. And while these iconic drawcards deliver time and time again, there’s much more to discover in this idyllic pocket of the world.

    Luxury enthusiasts are catered for with fabulous five-star retreats, foodies can delight their taste buds with the freshest produce, and nature lovers can lose themselves in a world of ancient rainforest.

    From the Hinterland to the sea, here are five surprising ways to experience the Gold Coast.

    1. Indulge in luxury

    Mondrian Gold Coast women enjoying Pampering treatments at the Ciel Spa and wellness facilities
    Escape the grind inside Mondrian Gold Coast’s CIEL Spa. (Credit: Demi Gavin)

    If you’re in need of a weekend away to recharge, you’re well looked after with the suite of five-star beachfront hotels. And with the country’s first Andaz hotel opening later this year in Broadbeach and a glamorous Ritz-Carlton on the way, a new era of luxury is being ushered in.

    Many of these hotels, like The Langham (Chuan Spa) and the Mondrian Gold Coast (CIEL Spa), feature world-class day spas in sumptuous settings, offering treatments spanning massages, facials, body wraps, and hand and foot therapies from some of the world’s best therapists.

    It would also be remiss when on the Gold Coast not to take to the sparkling waters, and the most stylish way to do so is by chartering a yacht, of course. Set sail on your own private haven from Crystal Blue Yacht Charters or Sailing in Paradise, spending your days lounging on deck, discovering secluded coves only accessible by boat and dipping in crystalline waters.

    2. Escape to the Hinterland

    experience the Gold Coast at springbrook national park Warrie Circuit, looking out from Ngarri-dhum Falls
    Hike through Springbrook National Park to enjoy incredible views. (Credit: Reuben Nutt)

    You’d be forgiven for not being able to pull yourself away from the Gold Coast’s sparkling coastline, but just a 30-minute drive inland, the Hinterland spoils visitors with a lush landscape that brings an instant sense of calm.

    In the World Heritage-listed Lamington National Park, an ancient oasis of over 500 waterfalls and over 160 kilometres of bushwalking trails are waiting to be discovered, soundtracked by the calls of rare rainforest songbirds. And in the ancient Springbrook National Park, you can witness a dazzling light show from one of the largest glow worm colonies in the world. And walk beneath towering Antarctic Beech Trees.

    The Hinterland’s fertile volcanic soil and subtropical climate make it a growers’ paradise, and gourmands can relish the best of the region’s bounty at restaurants like Paddock at Beechmont Estate. This casual fine-dining destination offers a paddock-to-plate experience in the truest sense, with produce harvested onsite and sourced from local farms. It might also surprise you to learn that there are fabulous wineries in the region as well, including the must-visit Witches Falls Winery, which produces world-class wild-ferment drops.

    3. Taste the best of the dining scene

    Tarte Bakery & Cafe serving coffee, pastries and meals in the heart of Burleigh
    Treat yourself at Tarte Bakery & Cafe. (Credit: Jesse Lindemann)

    The culinary scene on the Gold Coast exceeds expectations thanks to its location and gastronomic talent. Ultra-fresh seafood, abundant hinterland produce and inventive brews star on menus, making it a haven for foodies.

    Start your day on a delicious note with the smell of fresh pastries and some of the best coffee in the city at Tarte Bakery & Cafe. Or sit in the classic Queenslander at Paddock Bakery to tuck into their elevated take on ‘egg and soldiers’, with toasted sourdough, organic labna, parsley and bacon bits.

    Rick Shores is a must-visit lunch or sunset dinner spot in Burleigh Heads, loved for its front-row vistas of the ocean and succulent Pan-Asian flavours – the Fried Moreton Bay Bug Roll with its delicate sweet meat and toasted brioche bun has a cult following. The team’s second venue, Norté, is another culinary triumph, serving Latin American bites in an ultra-sleek space.

    For a more relaxed affair, sit outside at the award-winning Burleigh Brewing Co and sip your way through a tasting padel of inventive lagers and ales while tapping your feet to live music.

    4. Recover with wellness & relaxation

    aerial view of upper valley pool at Eden Retreat on the gold coast
    Enjoy a total reset surrounded by rainforest at Eden Retreat.

    The Gold Coast knows a thing or two when it comes to pampering and relaxation, and those seeking some R&R or to banish their worries can do so at the multitude of bathhouses, day spas and secluded hinterland retreats peppered across the city.

    One of the most coveted spots to unwind and experience the tranquillity of Japanese bathing culture is at SOL Elements, Australia’s first floating bathhouse snuggled in the rainforests of Mt Tamborine. Also located in the hinterland is Eden Retreat, a luxury health retreat on a 400-acre property designed to reconnect you with nature via daily wellness classes and contemporary lodges overlooking the rainforest.

    Back in the city, Soak Bathhouse is a local favourite for contrast therapy with its open-air hot spas, mineral baths, cold plunges, cedar sauna and steam room. If a massage or facial is more your calling, book into Spa by JW at JW Marriott Gold Coast Resort and Spa. Let the professionals soothe overworked muscles and rejuvenate skin in a heavenly setting.

    And who could forget the city’s untamed side? Seek out natural swimming spots like the dreamy Araluen swimming hole hidden away in the Tallebudgera Valley, and the lower section of Currumbin Creek, a pristine tidal estuary with lagoon-like waters.

    Start planning the ultimate Gold Coast getaway, your way, at experiencegoldcoast.com.