8 Kid Friendly Things To Do in Palm Cove

Jun 23

It would be quite easy to spend a week in Palm Cove and not leave, such is the appeal of this little seaside village.

This palm drenched beach is one of a number of tropical beaches that lie just north of Cairns, Queensland, and it offers heaps for the family to do. Read on if you want to learn 8 kid friendly things to do in Palm Cove……

1. Beach Fun

Lined with coconut palms, she oak trees and beach almonds PLUS of course those impressive melaleucas (giant paperbarks) Palm Cove beach offers plenty of shade in the afternoon. The beach stretches from the jetty all the way south to Clifton Beach and Kewarra Beach satisfying those the like to stroll next to the sea. Otherwise it’s a 30-minute walk from top to bottom along its expanse.

Go down to the beach early in the morning if you want to catch some wind-free play-time ‘cause the wind often picks up from 11am onwards. You’ll find the south easterlies normally drop by 5:30/6pm in the afternoon making a stroll along the concreted path up next to the road comfortable near sunset.

A lifeguard patrolled area is about half-way along the beach and offers a stinger enclosed net during the summer months. The good news about the regular breeze is that you can normally guarantee some kid-friendly wave action to boogie board on.

Things to do:

Beach Play
Swimming
Boogie Boarding

2. Kayak to Double Island

If you’re up early enough you can catch a paddle over to Double Island, a continental island that lies just off Palm Cove, with Pacific Watersports. This tour gives you another view of Palm Cove seated at sea level just off the coast. You can also check out turtles and rays in the shallows around Double Island and even paddle over some inner reef on the Great Barrier Reef.

If the waters are calm, then you might want to hire a SUP board. You can read more about this adventure HERE >> SUP Palm Cove. If you’re feeling really active and up for a challenge Pacific Watersports also offer Kite Boarding for those that want to take advantage of those onshore winds.

Things to do:

Kayaking
SUP Boarding
Kite Surfing

3. Drop a line in

Popular amongst fisherman of all ages is Palm Cove jetty which juts out off the northern side of the beach. If you haven’t bought any fishing gear don’t fret, Bransfords Discount Tackle Shop lies a 10-minute drive south of Palm Cove (or a 25-minute bus trip). There you can pick up all your lines and tackle to catch a BIG ‘un and get some good local info on the fishing in the area. And don’t forget all those free BBQ’s that line the esplanade of Palm Cove if you do catch something worthy of your dinner.

You won’t find any of the big boats tying up here either as the jetty offers no protection from the prevailing south easterlies. If you’re not into fishing, it’s still a great jetty for a stroll and another angle to view Palm Cove Beach. Yonder you can spot Yorkey's Knob and the eastern mountains of Cairns.

Things to do:

Fish
Take a stroll

4. Stay and Play

Palm Cove is seriously such a good place that staying a night or two, or even a week or more is easy to do. Resorts line the esplanade and there’s even a great caravan park down on the foreshore if you’re a self-drive and towing a caravan or got a tent.

**Sebel Palm Cove Coral Coast offer family friendly accommodation**

Family friendly options abound but one that’s a little off the beach set amongst a 9-hole golf course is Sebel Palm Cove Coral Coast. Boasting an outdoor pool, a sauna and only a 5-minute walk from Palm Cove, it proves popular amongst families because of its self-contained accommodation with private balconies.

Things to do:

Set up a tent
Stay in self-contained accommodation

5. Play till you drop

Families with young ‘uns will be happy to note there’s a partially enclosed playground on the foreshore about midway down the beach in Palm Cove. The kids can get up to all sorts of fun whilst you take a moment to chill on the benches nearby.

Although not completely fenced, the road nearby is not easily accessed if your kids are playing here, so you can sit and rest whilst they get their energy out.

Things to do:

Swing
Bounce
Slide
Climb

6. Pedal Action

Hire a bike from Biked and Beach and explore the bike paths south of Palm Cove towards the beaches of Clifton and Kewarra. There’s E-bikes, fat bikes, vintage bikes, mountain bikes as well as children’s bikes and scooters. Here you’ll find a bike for any sort of cruising as well as a few kid friendly garments and playthings inside the shop itself.

Things to do:

Bike the bike paths
Ride on the beach
Scooter the esplanade

7. Markets, Market, Markets

Happening on the first Sunday of every month are the early morning markets. They run from 8am – 2pm with over 130 stalls. There’s often a free bouncy castle for the kids and stalls feature local arts, crafts, gifts and souvenirs, plants and produce, massage and wellness and yummy snacks.

Don’t forget Reef Feast that happens once a year along the esplanade of Palm Cove. This one’s a biggy! It’s an annual event held in October celebrating Far North Queensland local produce, cuisine, music entertainment and our unique lifestyle. It goes over one long weekend - go to Reeffeast.com.au for more info.

Things to do:

Shop till you drop
Get a massage
Pick up something unique

8. Dining

You really don’t need toleave Palm Cove once you’re settled into your accommodation. Palm Cove reallyhas all your dining needs sorted out. From cafes to restaurants, the eating issublime here under the centuries old melaleuca trees or the palms along theforeshore.

Hang out at a Chill Café, a local’s favourite, or eat upmarket at Nu Nu Restaurant. For a family friendly night try the Palm Cove Surf Club or do fish n’ chips on the foreshore thanks to Pete’s Place. Palm Cove really has something for everyone. AND good coffee – don’t forget that if you have youngsters on tour with you!!!

Things to do:

Grab a coffee
Do brunch
Dine under the palms

Good Things to Know:

The popular time to do any visiting to the Far North is during the winter months (April – September) so make sure you book ahead if you plan to visit during these months – particularly if it’s during the school holidays.
If you have access to a car, Cairns is only a 30-minute drive to the south and Port Douglas a 30-minute drive to the North, The drive to Port Douglas & the Daintree (Great Barrier Reef Drive) was recently voted the best drive in the world topping the Great Ocean Road and Route 66. Don’t forget to check out my Blogposts on Cairns or Port Douglas if you plan to spend anytime there.

Great dining spots

Village atmosphere

A little bit of indulgence

Good coffee spots

Buses run regularly to Cairns and the southern beaches. Go to Sunbus for more info.
There’s a small shopping centre (with Coles) 10-minutes drive south of Palm Cove at Clifton Beach (or a 25-minute bus ride). You’ll find some more dining options here and Bransfords Discount Tackle Shop with everything you need to catch a big ‘un.
Remember that from November through to April is stinger season (jellyfish) up in Tropical North which means you have to take precautions if you are swimming on the beach. For more info Click HERE.
You’ll find crocodile signs on all beaches around the Far North and crocodiles may be present in the ocean. The time to be aware of crocodiles is at night and during their breeding season, September to April. As TNQ locals, we prefer camping and swimming at the beach during the winter months – crocodiles are less inclined to be ‘on the move’, less ‘hungry’ and more sluggish in general. NOTE: this is only our opinion – please make your decisions based on your own knowledge and facts of the area. For a good article on Crocs Click HERE.