Cairns beaches have golden sands, descending into warm waters, overlooking the Coral Sea and Great Barrier Reef. There are eight, palm fringed beaches to the north of Cairns, each providing their own unique charm and character. Whether you want to enjoy a bPalm_Cove_Jettyeachfront massage, cast a line into the sea or pitch a tent to watch the moon over the ocean, there is a beach for you in Cairns.
Machans Beach is the first of the Cairns beaches and is just 10-minutes drive north of the city, on the other side of the Barron River. This small suburb is a favourite with locals. Its residents are passionate about their beach lifestyle, so close to the city. It’s a great place to go fishing or enjoy casual, beachfront dining at the local restaurant.
Holloways Beach is the second beach as you head north from Cairns. It is a larger suburb than Machans, has more accommodation and dining options, and a longer stretch of sandy beach to enjoy. Its palm trees provide a shady place to enjoy the sound of the waves crashing in and at Coolums on the Beach, you can dine with the sand between your toes.
The next beach is Yorkeys Knob. This beach enjoys strong off-shore trade winds between April and November, making it a favourite location for kite surfers and wind surfers. Yorkeys Knob is a very self contained suburb (it sometimes gets flooded in during the summer months) with a great range of shops, restaurants, cafes and accommodation options. Half Moon Bay Golf Course is here, right next to the Yorkeys Knob Boat Club and marina.
Trinity Beach is the fourth Cains beach and perhaps the most popular with locals and families. The wide beach is protected from the wind, making it a great place to spend a lazy afternoon soaking up the salt breeze and warm sun. There are restaurants and apartments along the waterfront and dining ranges from takeaway fish and chips to modern Italian cuisine. A popular activity is to walk along the water and up around the point.
Kewarra Beach is a very private beach, enjoyed by many locals as a retreat. You feel secluded here and it is a great place to take a picnic and enjoy the waves and your own company. There is a luxury resort, which has direct beachfront access.
Continuing north you reach Clifton Beach, another popular beachside suburb for Cairns locals. This is a great service centre for the northern beaches, with a shopping centre, cafes and restaurants. There are apartments and accommodation options here for you to choose from.
Palm Cove is next and it is the jewel in Cairns’ beaches crown. A long beach, lined with palm trees and shaded by large, protected melaleuca trees, Palm Cove offers peace and tranquillity for locals and visitors. Restaurants, cafes and bars provide a tempting array of dining options along the waterfront. For the more energetic, you can swim, fish and paddle in the water, or just lay back in the warm sands and enjoy views over Double Scout Islands. Want a spa? Palm Cove is home to some of the most luxurious spas in the country, so make sure you book a massage while you are there.
Finally you will reach Ellis Beach; perhaps the most relaxed of Cairns’ northern beaches. This wide beach is right on the highway, but a world away from the traffic. You step from the car, to the beach and wander down to the water. There are camping facilities here, a surf life saving clubhouse and relaxed beach bar and grill. A great place to chill out.
Driving around is half the fun:
All of Cairns Beaches are easily accessed via the Captain Cook Highway and a series of roundabouts. Driving is easy, although we suggest avoiding business hour traffic, in the morning from 7.30 to 9am and in the afternoons from 4 to 6pm. A lot of Cairns residents live at the northern beaches and it can become quite congested as they go to and from work.Palm_Cove_Jetty
