There is no shortage of information on the many wonderful things to do in the Cairns region. Follow this link for a comprehensive guide to what is available. (We do make a small commission on any Experience you may purchase. Every little bit helps.)
Below is a list of things we like to do with our visitors and friends:
Mini Golf
https://www.cairnsgolfcentre.com.au/ has a great mini-golf course and very friendly staff. Hello Cara!
Hartley’s Crocodile Farm If you have any curiosity about crocodiles Hartley’s is well worth a visit. There are excellent exhibits of all the usual stull, but they do have a Komodo Dragon. The must see is the Crocodile Attack show. Check out their website to see all the attractions on offer. More info
Thala Beach Lodge
https://www.thalabeach.com.au/ is modelled on South African safari lodge and I hope one day to be able to afford to stay there. It is worth calling in for breakfast, whether first, second or third, morning tea or afternoon tea, etc. it is such a lovely place and Marilyn on reception is sensational as is Alma in the kitchen. Thala Beach Lodge is located between Espresso in Palm Cove and SeaBean in Port Douglas. It is how we usually start a day trip north.
Mangrove Boardwalk
If you walk in a straight line away from the jetty, with the ocean to our back, you will find a boardwalk that leads you through to a small patch of mangrove swamp. At night it is lit up and it is my favourite part of Palm Cove. Very peaceful.
Breakfast/Dinner on the beach
It is worth making a change from your inhouse dining, (and a lot cheaper), to have your breakfast at one of the many tables along the beach front. Steal the bowls from your room and shop at Pete’s Place, or in the Palm Cove Deli in the shopping village. The Cairns City Council have thoughtfully supplied several free electric barbecues along the waterfront and clean dining areas. They are very well maintained.
Oaks Kitchen and Garden
https://www.oakskitchenandgarden.com/ Cove Oaks Kitchen and Garden is a destination, rather than somewhere you visit on the way to somewhere else. They offer high end Thai degustation menus, sourcing the majority of the ingredients from their 4 acres of gardens. You are unlikely find a similar expereince in Australia.
Ride a Bike
You don’t have to be a mad mountain biker to hire a bike in Palm Cove. There are a lot of boardwalks and pleasant rides nearby. You could cycle to Clifton Beach to buy the meat and vegies for your BBQ. https://biked.com.au/
Esplanade Lagoon
Cairns Esplanade Lagoon, in the heart of the city, is well worth a visit. you can swim there. there are showers and toilets and plenty of free clean barbecues. If you don’t want to cook, then you can just duck over the road and get some takeaways.
Fishing with the family
The palm Cove caravan park at the northern end of the strip by the jetty will hire you all of the fishing gear you need.
