Named after the trees lining its long sandy beaches, Palm Cove is a quaint, upmarket village located less than an hour’s drive from the Cairns airport. This traditional land of the Yirrganydji people was used as a training base for Australian soldiers during World War II and is now an attractive tourist destination due to its proximity to the Great Barrier Reef and the Daintree Rainforest. Several holiday homes and high-end resorts dot the village, all of which are strictly built around the centuries old Melaleuca (paperbark) trees spread throughout the landscape. The mangroves at the northern end of the beach, the hiking tracks, and the romantic jetty – a great spot for shutterbugs – are for you to explore. Cycling and running enthusiasts will love the scenic, cobblestoned walkways along the esplanade. Sheer adventure awaits you in the form of Great Barrier Reef trips, water sports and rainforest expeditions. Colorful boutiques call for a day of shopping, and the number of spas on ‘Spa Street’ offer exotic treatments. A variety of local and international dishes will also tickle your palate at the eclectic cafes, fine restaurants and bars.
Places: Darwin (2 days) → Katherine (1) → Bamurru (3) → Port Douglas (4) → Lizard Island (3)
Tour Highlights: Sunset Harbour Cruise, Saltwater Crocodiles, Mindil Beach, Military History, Landscapes, Nitmiluk National Park, Indigenous Culture...
A former private residence of an army brigadier, the Reef House Boutique Resort and Spa - Mgallery by Sofitel offers a relaxed beach house style accommodation in Williams Esplanade in Palm Cove.