Argentea
Visitors to Cairns are unlikely to stumble across Argentea by chance.
The “Warning” sign advises walkers and cyclists to stay on the paths (beware the crocodile habitat in the creeks).
Linking Clifton Beach with Palm Cove, Argentea is a tranquil coastal forest generally known only to local residents and the resident wildlife, including crocodiles.
The Argentea pathways traverse a beautiful Melaleuca forest and wetlands.
A shared walking and cycle path is used frequently by locals as a ready access between the two beach communities.
Unlike Palm Cove, which is a popular tourist destination, Clifton Beach is almost entirely residential.
Argentea cycle path intersection and interpretative signage.
It's only a short (15-minute) walk through the Argentea forest from one end to the other. The path offers a number of diversions however.
Beach access from the Argentea pathway.
Biologist Dr Martin Cohen was commissioned to produce interpretative signage for the forest.
Deadmans Gully
Although the signs are now somewhat faded, they do give an insight into the diverse flora and fauna of the area.
Dr Cohen describes Argentea as “a walk through a rich diversity of landscapes and habitats. There are few places in the world where a short walk can steer you through patches of rainforest, tropical eucalypt woodland, paperbark and gallery forest alongside seasonal creeks, coastal dunes, wetlands and mangroves.”
Paperbark forest cycle path at Argentea.
A new pedestrian-cycle bridge at the Clifton Beach end provides safe access across one of the swampy creeks, habitat to crocodiles.
Clifton Beach
For a change of landscape walk through the beach-access boardwalk to the long, mostly deserted, sandy beach that stretches from Palm Cove to Clifton Beach and continues south to the next beach – Kewarra Beach.
The beach between Clifton Beach and Palm Cove Beach.
To enjoy the Argentea wetland forest it’s easiest to park at the northern end of Clifton Beach (past the sign that says, worryingly, “Deadman’s Gully”) and walk through to Palm Cove.
From Palm Cove the track entrance is somewhat obscure, but it’s off Triton Street, past the Pullman Sea Temple Resort and Spa.
Welcome to Clifton Beach - the start of the Argentea walkway.
Note. Argentea is also the name given to a new housing development at Palm Cove. The streets and homes are still being developed (2023).
The new suburb offers its residents a beautiful coastal environment with the advantages of shops and restaurants nearby.
Argentea new housing estate at Palm Cove, Cairns Northern Beaches.
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