Community
10 March, 2025
Build it and they will come
A STRIKING new look for Palm Cove has been unveiled by a Cairns architect with the backing of community and business leaders.
Hunt Design, a FNQ architectural and urban design practice, with experience delivering major tourism projects on the Queensland coast and 16 islands, has proposed a safe harbour, swimming lagoon, more carparking and extensive landscaping at the northern end of Williams Esplanade.
But a casualty will be the popular caravan park.
Hunt Design principal Gary Hunt said the centrepiece was a small safe harbour focused on the existing jetty.
“The final configuration will require input from coastal processes engineers and will cater for berthing approximately 15 commercial craft,” he said.
“Access by ferries and water taxis will complement the Reef operators visiting the GBR.
“The seawall protecting the harbour will allow for the installation of fishing decks along the perimeter, in addition to continuing existing fishing from the jetty. The new fishing decks are further out to sea in deeper water for improved fishing experiences.
“A community tropical park is conceived to be in the area currently occupied by the outdated caravan park which is proposed to be relocated closer to the Captain Cook Highway.
“Such an upgraded facility may cater for the new generation of vans and RVs and provide a higher-level of amenity for guests.
“The richly landscaped parklands will benefit from the retention of existing trees.
Within the community park are playgrounds, barbecue facilities, public toilets and shaded areas complementing a ‘village green’ suitable for markets, entertainment and other events.
“An access road to the jetty is planned to be on the back boundary of the tropical park. A further 180 carpark spaces will be serviced from the new road so that pedestrians are able to access the park amenities and foreshore without crossing a road.”
Cairns Mayor Amy Eden said Palm Cove was often referred to as the jewel in the Cairns crown and was in need of some TLC.
“Input like this from such experienced and visionary locals are exactly what we need to feed into that master planning process,” she said
“I support many elements of this vision and recognise there are many stakeholders and voices in Palm Cove who also need a say in its future to ensure it retains its ‘village vibe’ for locals and tourists alike.”
Tourism Tropical North Queensland chief executive Mark Olsen said Palm Cove beach was one of the icons of Tropical North Queensland, “however its share of international visitors remains low”.
“With the ability to access Double Island from a safe harbour and development of more year-round experiences it has the potential to grow its share of the key international markets supporting existing businesses and creating new jobs,” he said.
Tourism Palm Cove president Matthew Cork said it would feed into the Wangetti Trail which started and finished at the jetty.
He said a visitor centre could be part of the proposal, promoting tours and Indigenous experiences.
Mr Cork said cruise liner companies were keen to moor off Double Island and use their own tender boats to come ashore instead of at Yorkeys Knob,
Advance Palm Cove president Robert van den Hoven said it would be “an unforgettable experience for both locals and visitors alike”.
“This transformation could bring significant benefits to our regional community, positioning Palm Cove as a premier tourism destination,” he said.
But fishing advocate Dan Hammersley said the fishing community would “not support this”.
“It’s not a safe harbour. It’s a marina,” he said.
