- Duration
- ~55 km return by car to Palm Cove, 9–10 hours (≈ 8 h 38 min: moving and stop time only)
- Who it suits
- With kids
- Transport
- walk, drive
- Start
- Cairns Aquarium
- Finish
- Cairns Night Markets: The Crepe Shop
- Pace
- relaxed pace
- Best time
- Any day except Wednesday morning (the Lagoon opens at noon) and Tuesday or Thursday mornings (parts of Muddy's closed for maintenance until noon). November to May is stinger season: at Palm Cove swim only inside the net. Start at 9:30am
- Budget per adult
- ~A$61 per adult plus food: Cairns Aquarium A$61 (kids 3–14 A$35, under-3s free, family 2+2 A$173). The Lagoon, Muddy's and the beach are free. Lunch at Nu Nu and market crêpes extra. Prices checked October 2026Prices as of: October 2026
Getting there
The morning is on foot along the Esplanade in central Cairns; park on Florence Street or at the Night Markets (level 1, A$2.20 an hour via EasyPark). Palm Cove is 27 km north on the Captain Cook Highway, about 30 minutes by car; park along Williams Esplanade
Stops in order
The text version of the route: stops, time at each and the legs between them. Times are estimates, without queues, traffic or swims.
- For kids
1. Cairns Aquarium~2 h at the stop
An aquarium of tropical Queensland's rivers and reefs: more than 16,000 animals, a huge oceanarium of sharks and rays, and a touch pool for kids.
Worth knowing: Opened in 2017, it holds more than 15,000 animals across 10 ecosystems and houses the Cairns Turtle Rehabilitation Centre.
Tip: Daily 9:30am–3:30pm, last entry 2:30pm. Sharks & Rays show at 11am and 1pm, River Monsters at 10am and noon, touch pool 10am–3pm. Book online to skip the queue.
Open on the map ↗↓ walk · 8 min · 0.6 km
- Swim
2. Cairns Esplanade Lagoon~1 h at the stop
A free saltwater swimming lagoon of about 4,800 m² right on the Esplanade, watched by lifeguards. Nobody swims in the sea off central Cairns: it's mudflats and croc country.
Tip: Thursday–Tuesday 6am–9pm, Wednesday from noon (morning maintenance). No inflatables: lifeguards need a clear view. Little shade, so bring hats and sunscreen.
Open on the map ↗↓ walk · 8 min · 0.6 km
- For kids
3. Muddy's Playground~40 min at the stop
Cairns' big playground on the Esplanade: water jets and splash play, slides, climbing frames and swings for different ages, with a café and toilets next door. Free.
Tip: Daily 9am–7pm. On Tuesday and/or Thursday mornings parts close for maintenance until noon, with at least half kept open. Children must be supervised.
Open on the map ↗↓ drive · 30 min · 27 km
- Lunch
4. Nu Nu~1 h 15 min at the stop
A modern Australian restaurant on the Palm Cove beachfront, with sea views through the palms. The menu changes with the seasons and leans on tropical produce and North Queensland seafood.
Tip: Lunch daily 12–3pm (breakfast 7–11am, dinner from 5pm). It may close for spells in the wet season; dates go up on its socials. Book online.
Open on the map ↗↓ walk · 12 min · 1 km
- Swim
5. Palm Cove beach and jetty~1 h 15 min at the stop
A calm palm-lined beach facing Double Island. Swim by the Surf Club patrol and, in stinger season, inside the net. A timber jetty sits at the north end.
Tip: Lifeguards daily 9am–5pm; swim between the flags. November to May is stinger season, Irukandji included: stay inside the net and wear a lycra suit. Crocs live along this whole coast: don't swim at dawn, dusk or in murky water.
Open on the map ↗↓ drive · 30 min · 27 km
- Snack
6. Cairns Night Markets: The Crepe Shop~1 h at the stop
An air-conditioned evening market: some 70 shops of souvenirs and beach bits, a food court and The Crepe Shop for sweet crêpes. A good way to end a kids' day.
Tip: Shops daily 4:30–10:30pm, food court 11am–10:45pm, crêpes from 4:30pm. Open every day of the year, even Christmas. Address: 54–60 Abbott Street.
Open on the map ↗
Before you go
- Route times are estimates: walking, driving and a sensible pause at each stop. Add queues, traffic and swims yourself.
- Prices, timetables and trail status change. Check the venue's official site and the state transport app before you go.
- On beaches, swim only between the red and yellow flags. Use sun protection even when it is cloudy.