Looking for a place to relax & unwind in Queensland Australia? We share the best things to do in Palm Cove, so you can plan a trip asap.
Some holiday destinations just have so many amazing things to do that you have no choice but to keep going back!
One of these holiday destinations is Palm Cove!
Why visit Palm Cove?
Located in Tropical North Queensland, Palm Cove is a sleepy, seaside village that is often mistaken for paradise. With the gorgeous Coral Sea lining the shore and stunning places to stay in Palm Cove, this is one of the most relaxing places in the world.
And while relaxation is always on the cards in Palm Cove, you also happen to be near some of the world’s most amazing natural attractions, so there is just so much to see and do.
So, if you’re planning a holiday on your birthday, anniversary, honeymoon, or whatever occasion it may be, we think Palm Cove is the best place to go.
And to prove our point, here are some of our favorite activities you can do when you’re in Palm Cove. Once you’ve experienced these attractions, we bet you won’t get enough and will keep coming back to this piece of paradise!
Best things to do in Palm Cove
Get up close to the native wildlife
If there is one thing Australia is known for, it’s got to be our wildlife, and when you’re in Queensland, you’re going to see some of the most unique animals in this country.
Tropical North Queensland is home to some amazing wildlife parks.
If you’ve ever dreamt of cuddling a koala, you can make your dream a reality at the Koala Gardens. Or if you’re more of a bird fan, you can visit all sorts of feathered friends at Kuranda’s Birdworld. You can even see some of the incredible native birds that call Australia home, including the prehistoric cassowary – watch out though, they are fast!
And if you’re a little braver and want to meet some scaley pals, you can visit Hartley’s Crocodile Adventures. You can take a croc cruise and watch feeding time – it’s certainly a wild ride!
The Great Barrier Reef
The Great Barrier Reef is one of the world’s most well-known natural attractions and one of the best landmarks in Australia. And you’re in luck because it also happens to be super close to Palm Cove.
You can tour this incredible wonder in a variety of different ways from Palm Cove. Some of the awesome ways you can discover the Reef for yourself include:
- A day cruise to the outer reefs – where you can snorkel, dive, and sunbathe.
- Sunset sailing – watch the sunset on board a private catamaran
- Scuba diving – you can do day or night time dive tours, with options available for all diving experience levels
- Water sports – you can sea kayak, stand up paddleboard, snorkel, swim, scuba, and fish
- Scenic helicopter ride – see just how magnificent the Reef is from up above
- If you’re in Tropical North Queensland the Great Barrier Reef should not be missed!
Take a scenic train ride
All aboard a vintage train up to a rainforest village in the mountains!
The Kuranda Scenic Railway is a fully functioning 120 year old train that winds up a mountain, past the amazing Baron Falls, to Kuranda – which is a lively and artsy rainforest village in the sky.
Once you’ve taken a journey on this train, no other will compare. And while Kuranda is a gorgeous place to visit, with lots to see and do – like the Australian Butterfly Sanctuary and Birdworld – the journey there and back is definitely a big part of the fun.
You can always take the scenic train ride back or you can jump into the Skyrail Rainforest Cableway, where you can float down the mountain, above the canopy of the rainforest below. You can even ride in a glass-bottomed gondola if you’re brave enough!
Visit the world’s oldest forest
Palm Cove is only a stone’s throw away from the Wet Tropics – the world’s oldest rainforest. Home to the Daintree and lots of other incredible forests and jungles, it is impossible to see it all – which is part of the fun.
You can explore incredible landscapes and discover native flora and fauna you’ve never seen before, and you can hunt for one of nature’s most wonderful and stunning natural features – waterfalls!
There are literally hundreds and hundreds of waterfalls throughout the Wet Tropics just waiting for you to discover them. Big, small, high, and low, you can watch the water cascading and take a dip in the natural plunge pools – it’s an amazing way to spend the day!
Relax at the Reef House
After your exploration and adventures in Tropical North Queensland, you need a place to rest your head and relax, and that is at the beachfront colonial-style boutique hotel – the Reef House.
5-star rooms, an idyllic location, and even a day spa that is one of the most well-known day spas in Queensland – what more could you want?
Well, there is plenty more on offer at the Reef House – you can enjoy sorbet by the pool every day, drinks at dusk with your fellow guests, and dinner on the deck at the Reef House restaurant. The Reef House is guaranteed to become your favorite holiday destination in Australia.
As you can see, there are some pretty amazing things to see and do in this part of the world – and once you’ve been there once, you’ll be organizing your next visit before you even leave!