August 22, 2024

The tides and wind allowed us to leave the boat safely at anchor for a few hours this afternoon, and we took the opportunity to take the 50c bus ride out to Palm Cove. The Cairns buses are administered by the state government, who are offering cheap fares on all government public transport (should just be free).

Palm Cove is a resort beach about 30km north of Cairns, and is at the end of the line for the suburban buses, a trip that takes about an hour.

Back in 2019, we anchored SeeBeeZee offshore under the lee of Double Island just offshore from Palm Cove, but I had not been here since 1982 when I made the trip to north Queensland in my fired out Kombi. Back in 1982, the village of Palm Cove consisted of a handful of old fibro huts set along the beach front, and a council caravan park. The amenities at the caravan park boasted a little fibro building with two doors that opened into toilet cubicles, and an outside cold water shower on the back of the building. Today Palm Cove is all luxury, with the whole sea front occupied by eating and dining outlets. But it is still very lovely, just in a different way.