PALM COVE
Area: Queensland
Country: Australia


Location:
In the far N of Queensland, 16 miles N of Cairns along a good road. Nearest airport is Cairns International 14 mls.

Telephone code from UK:
61 7

Website:
http://www.palmcoveonline.com

Position:
On Coral Sea facing the Great Barrier Reef and its islands, Palm Cove is a small sandy bay, backed by the Great Dividing Range.

Description:
A gloriously quiet resort which sometimes feels like just one street of hotels, although it does in fact straggle a little way inland from the beach. The sea-facing esplanade is a quiet road with traffic humps to ensure little risk from speeding vehicles. Beyond it stands a string of hotels and small cafes with one split-level arcade of shops and restaurants cutting back from the beach so that it barely impinges on the scenery. The streets are lined with grand melaneucas (paperback trees), which all but hide even those hotels taller than a palm tree. Not a place to come if you're in search of wild nightlife, but perfect for a romantic getaway.

Suitability:
Couples of all ages. Probably a bit too quiet for families with young children, although Cairns is within easy reach during the day.

Accommodation:
Mostly quite upmarket, but a less pricey seafront option.

Shopping:
Very limited options except for sunglasses and their ilk. Best to take the bus into Cairns.

Beach:
Long but narrow sandy beach which spreads out at S end where a creek joins the sea (beware of crocodiles). Problem with box jellyfish from October to May, although nets are put out to form a safety barrier.

Entertainments:
Also very limited. Cairns is the best hope _ although note that buses back stop in early evening.

Eating:
The hotels have their own restaurants or there is a pleasing restaurant in the arcade where kookaburras sometimes come to be hand-fed.

Public-transport:
Hourly buses into Cairns via other S beaches, but service stops in early evening and is impossibly restricted at weekends. Coach service N to Port Douglas and beyond (phone for Palm Cove pick-up). Infrequent ferry cruises to Port Douglas and Cairns.

Local-excursions:
Primarily reef and rainforest trips to Great Barrier Reef and Daintree Rainforest. Hotels offer full range of excursions out of Cairns and can sometimes arrange local pick-ups.