Palm cove visitor information
Palm Cove is a Tropical beachside Village located just 25 minutes north of Cairns City and Cairns International Airport. This charming beachside suburb exudes luxury and style and has won several accolades recognising its world class spas, clean and friendly beach and award winning restaurants. The cobble paved waterfront Esplanade is lined with luxurious resorts, hotels and apartments; boutique clothing, art and convenience shops; and alfresco eateries, take-away shops and bistros. In the morning Palm Cove comes alive with travellers going for morning strolls or runs, sun-bakers marvelling at the tropical sunshine and tour buses collecting happy travellers for their daily adventures to The Great Barrier Reef or World Heritage Listed Rainforest. As the sun dips below the island spotted horizon the smell of gourmet cuisines lingers throughout the Palm Cove Esplanade. Soft music, delicious aromas and happy people bring the street to life as the tropical aura of barefoot elegance hangs in the air.
History…
Palm Cove was established as a resort destination Village in 1958 when the current Sebel Reef House opened its doors as a restaurant and Guest House. In the 1980's Palm Cove was struck with a tourist boom attracting developers and international tourists from all over the world. When Cairns International Airport opened in 1984 Palm Cove’s popularity only increased and in 1986 the Ramada Reef Resort was built on the corner of Williams Esplanade and Vievers Road establishing Palm Cove’s very first internationally owned hotel.
Accommodation…
With all the infrastructure and tourists that visit Palm Cove each year it has managed to maintain a natural and un-obtrusive presence. All resorts and apartments are low lying and sensitively built as not to disrupt the natural beauty of the area. Palm Cove’s sparkling coral waters and sandy beach have been recognised as North Queensland’s friendliest and cleanest beach for the third time in the past five years; Palm Cove beach was also awarded North Queensland’s litter prevention award this year.
No matter what the purpose of your trip to Palm Cove may be there are accommodation styles to suite all types. Families holidaying in Palm Cove may choose from spacious holiday homes, large self-contained apartments or roomy resort suites. The kids will keep busy swimming at the life guard patrolled beach, playing on the beachside playground or splashing around in swimming pools; every accommodation in Palm Cove comes with at least one swimming pool. Couples seeking a romantic holiday in Palm Cove will be delighted at the amount of amenities catering towards those seeking romance and privacy. Most resorts feature suites with amorous options like private Jacuzzi spas, double porch swings or couples massages and several of the restaurants are lit up nightly by candlelight and torches creating a seductive ambiance. Business travellers will be well catered for as most resorts offer wireless broadband internet, a purpose built conference centre with all the latest technology and facilities along with facsimile and photocopying service. Groups and weddings will find spacious holiday homes, three bedroom apartments or luxury resort suites for groups of all sizes.
Dining in Palm Cove…
The Beachfront Esplanade is lined with restaurants of all types. Depending on your current craving you can enjoy a gourmet seafood dinner or a casual fish and chips meal wrapped in newspaper and enjoyed under a palm tree on the beach. In the morning stroll the streets and order bacon and eggs, a breakfast sandwich or healthy fruit and muesli at one of the beachfront cafes. Lunchtime grab a quick freshly made sandwich or baguette a burger and fries or alternatively have a leisurely lunch while watching the boats on the water and sipping on some renowned Australian wine. Dinner offers a range of options in Palm Cove. Every resort features its own restaurant with expansive alfresco decks offering dreamy Coral Sea Views. All cuisine types are catered for and Palm Cove has some of the best Italian, Seafood, Australiana, and Thai Food in all the Tropical Far North Region; most restaurants also have healthy menus for the little ones.
Nightlife in Palm Cove…
The nightlife in Palm Cove is elegant and tasteful. After dinner is over many restaurants play a bit of music and guests stay late to enjoy cocktails, wines and conversations. If you enjoy karaoke there is a pub that does just that every Friday and Saturday night. There is also a sports bar where sports enthusiasts and gamblers can watch the featured games and have a try at the pokies (slot machines).
Shopping in Palm Cove…
Palm Cove has several privately owned boutique shops along its waterfront. You will find women’s and men’s apparel, shoes, jewellery and various sporting garments; there are also a couple of art galleries and opal shops on Palm Cove’s Esplanade. Palm Cove has a convenience shop where all your basic food and amenities can be purchased, a post office, internet, hair salon, bottle shop and The Tour Specialists Information tour desk located right in the centre of Palm Cove’s Esplanade.
Spas in Palm Cove…
Palm Cove has been awarded the title of “The Spa Capital of Australia” as seven of Palm Cove’s Spas have won numerous international awards. The Reef House Spa was awarded in February 2008 the second best spa in the World! In 2006 Angsana Spa won prestigious awards such as: The third best spa in the world, the third best spa in Australia and one of the top 25 spas in the world. Various relaxation and remedial treatments are available. Massages, wraps, exfoliations, scrubs, manicures, pedicures and facials are available in several different styles and variations. Most spas have luxurious Vichy showers and other hydro-therapies. Dual treatments rooms and couples spas are also common. Enjoy your treatment overlooking the ocean, pool or in a peaceful serenity verandah. Extended wellness programs are also available at many spas to tap into your intrinsic needs and desires. Palm Cove is the best place in Australia to visit if you want to invigorate your mind, body and soul. Book your treatment today!
Tours from Palm Cove…
No matter how long you stay in Palm Cove you’re tour and sightseeing itinerary will be full. Palm Cove is located right in between Cairns and Port Douglas making it a great place to experience tours of both destinations. While staying in Palm Cove you can choose to visit the Great Barrier Reef from Cairns or Port Douglas. When visiting the reef from Cairns you can spend a half day on Green Island (via boat, sea plane or helicopter). Alternatively you can spend the day casually snorkelling or sun tanning on Michaelmas Sand Cay or on the intriguing Coral Gardens on the Outer Barrier Reef. From Port Douglas cruise out to Agincourt Ribbon Reef ( to a pontoon or aboard a boat) which is located right at the edge of the continental shelf, here you will spot some vibrantly colored fish and from July-September possibly see the curiously friendly Minke Whales. Low Isles, which is located just off the coast of Port Douglas, is a great day trip for families or those who want to casually snorkel and enjoy a beautiful day on the reef. Other tours that can be enjoyed from Palm Cove include white-water rafting, horse-back riding, ATVing, rainforest adventures to either the Kuranda, Daintree or Tablelands Rainforest, helicopter safaris, bungee jumping, sky-diving and several animal based attractions like the Cairns Tropical Zoo, The Safari Park, Hartley’s Crocodile Farm and several others. Learn more about tours around Palm Cove.
The Climate in Palm Cove…
The Dry Season and The Green Season are the two main seasons of the region. The Dry (May - December) is generally characterised by low humidity, low rainfall and temperatures ranging between 24 and 29 degrees Celsius. The Green Season (January - April) is characterised by higher temperatures, between about 30-32 degrees, more evening rainfall and higher humidity although generally days are dry followed by spectacular thunderstorms in the evenings providing a year round sunny destination.
The Location of Palm Cove…
Palm Cove is centrally located right in between Cairns and Port Douglas. From Cairns drive 25 minutes north and make a right hand turn on Vievers Road. From Port Douglas drive 30 minutes south and take a left hand turn on Vievers Road. Palm Cove is 20 minutes north of Cairns International Airport.
A perfect location for you to experience everything Tropical North Queensland has to offer the discerning traveller.
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