Palm Cove, Tropical North Queensland

North of Cairns international airport, Palm Cove is guarded from the South Pacific Ocean by the Great Barrier Reef. Surrounded by vast natural and cultural attractions including of course and the world heritage Daintree Rainforest and Mossman Gorge, lies Palm Cove.

Driving through the sugar cane fields and flanked by a dramatic rainforest escarpment in all directions, it’s easy to see why this area continues to draw people from all over the world. It’s quite simply stunning.

At first glance the Melaleuca laden esplanade in Palm Cove itself seems to have more than a whiff of Barbados about it. The Caribbean vibe is in full effect at various cafes such as Chill where the reggae pumps early for morning walkers who need a really good espresso and into the night. The food scene in Palm Cove is rightly famous with NuNu recently relocating to the glorious position on the beachfront in Angsana. Looking out on to Double and ‘Hat’ islands, this is the primo spot to linger.

Palm Cove itself is the laid back sophisticated sister to backpacker mecca and youth paradise Port Douglas. Landscaping and lush gardens are the key to the Palm Cove aesthetic. The architecture could be perhaps best described as modern-tropical. Some of the classic old Queenslanders with their plantation shutters and wrap around breezeways can still be found in Clifton Beach and even in the backstreets of Palm Cove however there are also multiple modern Asian-inspired tropical adaptations in the form of resorts such as Sea Temple, Peppers, The Reefhouse and Drift.

And of course the Palm grove for which this pretty spot was named is worth a wander through. Which we did, every day.

DBLS will definitely be back.