TRINITY BEACH
Trinity Beach is definitely one of the local’s favourite Cairns beaches since it has a few beachside restaurants but its not as busy and developed as Palm Cove.
There are a number of Trinity Beach accommodation options including several beachside apartments – Roydon Beachfront Apartments always comes highly recommended.
You can also rent houses if you’re travelling as a group.
MACHANS BEACH
The closest beach to Cairns, Machans Beach, is a quiet little suburb where the local community have resisted development in order to protect their tranquil beachside lifestyle. There are no resorts so the only option for travellers wanting to stay in Machans Beach is to rent private apartments or houses.
HOLLOWAYS BEACH
Holloways Beach is another quiet suburb with a strong community feel and there are a few accommodation options, including a resort. There is also a restaurant and café on the beachfront.
YORKEYS KNOB
Once you’ve got over the hilarious name (named after a rocky outcrop) you’ll find this suburb of Cairns has a great beach that’s popular for kite surfing and wind surfing.
It also has a large marina and golf course.
There aren’t any hotels or resorts but there are a few luxury self-contained holiday apartments. Yorkey’s Knob Boat Club has a nice restaurant overlooking the waterfront and marina, which provides fairly good casual dining with a family friendly atmosphere.
KEWARRA BEACH
Kewarra Beach is a beautiful Cairns beach at the end of a bay with a long sweeping curve of beach that includes Clifton Beach and Palm Cove. It is quiet and often deserted.
Apart from the Kewarra Beach Resort, this suburb is largely residential, with some very plush beachfront properties.
CLIFTON BEACH
Clifton Beach is another quiet beach with plenty of trees for shade. It is also very residential so you won’t find many tourists. There are a few self-contained apartments and there is a small shopping centre so it has all the facilities plus it’s pretty close to Palm Cove if you choose to dine out.
PALM COVE
One of Australia’s foremost wedding destinations, the village of Palm Cove is chic and upmarket with several 4-5 star hotels and good restaurants.
The huge majestic Melaleuca trees (Paperbark Gums) are part of the attraction of Palm Cove. They add a picturesque feature and some much needed shade all along the esplanade.
These trees are protected so all the resorts have to build around them which sometimes makes for some interesting shapes for swimming pools!
ELLIS BEACH
Then, a little further along you’ll come to the last of the Cairns northern beaches, Ellis Beach Qld.
There is very little here apart from a Surf Life Saving Club, Boat Club, campground and the Ellis Beach oceanfront cabins. It’s very popular with locals because it’s so quiet.
