Cairns Beaches

Machans.

Rock-walled and funky-village style, Machans is quite a special place.

Of the northern beaches, this small community sits closest to Cairns City, fiercely proud and protective of their time-forgotten beach lifestyle.

Cafe Mayhem at Machans and bar/restaurant O’Sheas gathers the residents to share their stories of the day.

Machans is a beautiful place to visit, fossick on the beach at low tide, explore the mangrove walkway and cross the bridge to neighbouring Holloways Beach.

Fishers head out to the wide mouth of the great Barron River.

The Barron River has a secondary exit to the sea via. Redden Creek and in effect creates an “island” with the boundaries of the river, creek and sea.

The area is therefore known as Redden Island. The aboriginal name is Dungarra and was traditionally home to the Yirrganydji people.

The tidal sands, the creek and the sea were important sources of shellfish and fish for the Yirrganydji people.

Holloways.

Holloways Beach is a residential suburb and beach just 12 km from Cairns City.

Enjoy a coffee stop at Strait on The Beach and a shaded stroll along the Esplanade Reserve.

The beach stretches to the north for miles until eventually your beach access is cut off by the Barron river making its way out to sea.

Residents who have virtually beachfront properties have set up a variety of benches and seating along the foreshore.

It’s both their private spaces as well as a public walkway through the forested beach front.

Yorkeys.

Yorkeys Knob Beach is a kite surfers paradise, with its waves and off-shore winds providing just the right conditions to skim the waves.

The beach extends for miles. There are no towering apartment blocks to dominate the beach.

Instead the beach is lined with dunes and forest creating a very natural beach feel.

A leafy promenade provides a shady respite for joggers, walkers and dog-walkers.

Outdoor gyms, playgrounds and toilet blocks are part of the facilities on offer.

Trinity Beach.

Stroll along the sandy shores of Trinity Beach and you can well imagine yourself on a remote exotic island beach; the waves lap gently and the warm tropical air imbues your body with relaxation and calm.

Night or day, Trinity Beach is a slice of paradise, just 20 km from Cairns CBD.

Walk out onto solidified ancient lava flows at the southern end of Trinity Beach to cast your eyes wide across the Coral Sea; swim safely in the gentle rolling waves, choose your patch of sun or shade for relaxing on the beach; stroll under the almond trees of the beach promenade to simply enjoy the breeze.

At night bars and restaurants draw a lively crowd of visitors and locals alike. Dining options are abundant, as are holiday apartments lining the beachfront or very near in surrounding streets.

Clifton.

Clifton Beach is a residential beach with a shady promenade and continuous stretch of sand connecting with Palm Cove.

To take the “inland route” from Clifton to Palm Cove there’s an interesting wetland and melaleuca forest walk - Argentea.

Clifton has a small shopping mall with a Coles supermarket and specialty shopping.

Ellis.

Ellis Beach is the northern-most of the Cairns beaches.

There’s very little development and the beach is a beautiful tranquil environment with rainforest almost touching the sands.

Ellis features a Surf Life Saving patrol and stinger nets in season.

Camping is available fronting the beach, including oceanfront bungalows. Across the road the Ellis Beach Bar and Grill is open 7 days a week.

Half Moon Bay.

The sandy beach at Half Moon Bay is also known as Trinity Park Beach, as it’s the local beach in the suburb of Trinity Park.

It’s the lesser known of the Cairns Northern Beaches. Next beach up, to the north, is Trinity Beach.

Trinity Park Beach has a dramatic entrance - a short walkway through mangrove swamp complete with the sound of loud, croaking frogs and signs warning of crocodiles hiding in the dark, murky waters of the swamp.

Turn left and walk to the northern end of Trinity Park Beach.

An impressive shiny new metallic stairway leads up from the sands to the trails on Earl Hill.

The southern end of the beach overlooks the boat club and marina at Yorkeys.

The inlet to Bluewater Marina defines the end of the beach and again you are warned beware of the crocodiles!

Fishermen brave this spot at the mouth of the river.

Kewarra.

Kewarra lies between Trinity and Clifton.

It’s very popular for local residents to walk their dogs and let them run into the ocean.

The bay wraps around towards Trinity Beach but access is cut off by the mouth of a small creek with deep water.

A new cycle / foot bridge provides access from Kewarra Beach through to the southern end of Clifton Beach.

Palm Cove.

Palm Cove is a holidaymaker’s mecca. Visitors, especially from colder climes, absolutely love to soak up the atmosphere at Palm Cove.

In 2024, Condé Nast Traveller named Palm Cove as the No.1 beach in the world!

Abundant in dining and cafe options, holiday apartments overlooking the Coral Sea, a tree-lined promenade, giant specimen melaleuca trees that buildings give way to.

Oh, and there’s a beach too! a beautiful sandy shoreline, warm ocean swimming. Unique seaside wedding chapel beside a tranquil lagoon with crocodile warning signs.

Day spas, boutique shopping. Fishing pier. Tour booking agencies. Ocean kayaking. Rental cars. Bars and nightlife. Luxury resorts. Playground on the beach.

A backdrop of verdant mountains. An excursion to tourist-town Port Douglas just 40 minutes to the north.