One of north Queensland’s most popular tourist destinations is the seaside resort town at Palm Cove. The magnificent beach, which has been rated in the top ten beaches in the world is a major attraction. Palm Cove has a cosmopolitan atmosphere that is enhanced by its seaside location, colourful resorts, alfresco dining and lifestyle, all complimented by modern quality places to stay which is presented in a multitude of excellent resorts. Palm Cove is one of the northern beachfront suburbs of Cairns and is about twenty minutes drive north from the Cairns CBD. As a suburb of a large city, there is lots of shopping and the tourist attractions that are available in the immediate vicinity are fantastic. To the north of Palm Cove is the holiday town of Port Douglas and the two are connected by a sensational coastal highway where the views rival some of the most spectacular stretches of road anywhere in the world.
Some of Australia’s most important tourist attractions are within easy reach of Palm Cove.The best known of these is the Great Barrier Reef. This stretch of far north Queensland coastline between Cairns and Port Douglas and incorporating Palm Cove is the closest stretch of coast to the Great Barrier Reef itself. A multitude of tour options are available from Palm Cove to visit the reef itself. Many day tours can be used, one of which departs from the Palm Cove jetty. Diving and snorkeling trips, dive tuition and training, with accreditation, are all available. The north Queensland region is also famous for its rainforests and the best known of these is the Daintree rainforest. Beautiful rainforests and lakes also exist on the nearby Atherton Tablelands which are less than an hours drive from Palm Cove. Just to the south of Palm Cove you will find the Tjapukai Aboriginal display which provides a fantastic insight into the Aboriginal culture and there is also the sky rail which features a cable car style gondola ride across the treetops and the rainforest canopy, up the side of the Great Dividing Range and terminating in the colourful village of Kuranda at the top of the range itself. Most patrons of the sky rail return to Cairns on the conventional rail service which features a spectacular rail bridge across the Barron River just below the might Barron Falls.
The Palm Cove Esplanade is the tourism focal point. On its inshore side is a row of superb resorts, most of which are in the four or five star category. They all feature hotel style or apartment style accommodation with wide balconies that take in the view of the Coral Sea and allow the balmy trade winds to cool there interiors. Most of these resorts have alfresco restaurants set among the gigantic and ancient Melaeleuka trees that line the street front. At night, flares and candles light the holiday surroundings of these eateries adding to the wonderful holiday ambience that Palm Cove exudes. On the beach side of the street are holiday equipment hire services including paddle ski’s, jet ski and sail boats. All of these features make Palm Cove the most attractive tourist destination in Far North Queensland.