General News
17 October, 2025
Australia’s playground
A VISION to make Palm Cove Australia’s playground has been revealed by Deputy Mayor Brett Olds.
The division one councillor is determined that the region’s ‘jewel in the crown’ receives some much overdue tender loving care.
His ‘Northern Cairns development map’ lists a host of projects underway plus more in the pipeline.
Cr Olds estimates there is at least $500 million being invested on a host of Northern Beaches projects that will draw adventure holidaymakers.
“Palm Cove and the northern beaches have everything except snow skiing,” he said.
It includes walking and cycling trails, mountain biking, snorkelling, kayaking, paddleboarding, BMX, swimming, wakeboarding, bungy jumping and fishing.
“This isn’t just about Palm Cove, this is for the whole of Cairns.”
He’s been discussing his plan with a wide range of movers and shakers, including tourism, business, state and federal political figures, as well as representatives of the seaside village’s divided organisations – the new Palm Cove Alliance, the disbanded Advance Palm Cove, Tourism Palm Cove and Palm Cove Vision.
Cr Olds has been working closely with Tourism Tropical North Queensland chief executive officer Mark Olsen.
He said he now needed to convince his fellow councillors to invest in Palm Cove and allocate council funds to some of the ideas, with budgeted monies available in a renewal of assets account.
Cr Olds said projects by governments as well as private developments were creating confidence which would draw investors.
“Confidence builds confidence,” he said.
“I would like Palm Cove to become Australia’s playground in much the same way as Queenstown is to New Zealand.”
Cr Olds has rejected Advance Palm Cove’s view that the resort town had been neglected and forgotten.
The priorities are:
Reduce traffic on William’s Esplanade to increase pedestrian access and separate e-scooters. “Like the Cairns Esplanade it should be one-way but can go each direction (north and south) from Harpa St. It requires a traffic study,” Cr Olds said.
Reconfigure parking on the Esplanade for more pedestrian access and review traffic flow, including alternative street parking. “It requires an economic feasibility study,” he said.
Feasibility and design for a cantilevered boardwalk around the headland at Buchan Point as the official start of the Wangetti Trail
Wave attenuation for the Palm Cove jetty to allow safe vessel access in suitable weather. “This may not support year-round access for all vessel types, but some is better than none. Palm Cove ‘safe harbou’ concept would be the best option,” Cr Olds said
Create an entry statement for the Great Barrier Reef Drive, supporting, if possible, the start point/parking for Wangetti Trail (old zoo site?). “Something iconic to draw tourists in for that Instagram moment,” he said.
Destination marketing and event funding for Palm Cove over and above the current TTNQ funding (e.g. visitor levy, AirBnB differential rates).
Secure an investor and concept for Double Island to provide a focal point for the region
A tourism masterplan and planning overlay for Palm Cove to guide appropriate future development (can be addressed through the next planning scheme)
Extension of the Northern Beaches Leisure Trail to connect Palm Cove seamlessly with the rest of the beaches.
Cr Olds admits the Palm Cove masterplan hasn’t been funded and COVID put paid to that when the council diverted $28 million from projects at Smithfield, Trinity Beach and Edmonton to fund the Cairns Esplanade dining precinct, which was done during the pandemic when trading shutdown.
He said it was possible that the council could divert some funds from other projects which could be put on the backburner to start on Palm Cove, particularly new car parking at Triton St and at Goldfinch Park.
Northern projects
Northern Cairns Development Map highlights are:
The new $5.5m Ellis Beach Surf Club
The continuation of the $50m Wangetti cycling and hiking trail
The $1.6m new car park at the northern end of Ellis Beach and new toilets
Safe harbour combined with fishing platforms to enable dinner cruises and ferry access to Double Island
The pending new lease and multi-million dollar upgrade of Double Island Resort
$15m upgrade for Hilton hotel off Cedar Rd
Development of three remaining empty blocks at Palm Cove into international resorts
The next stages of the leisure trail through to Palm Cove from Trinity Beach
Entry statement with a roundabout at Great Barrier Drive/Cook Highway near the old zoo site
Old zoo site ripe for commercial redevelopment
Evergreen Park BMX pump track
$210m Reefs Edge water and tourist park at Kewarra Beach
$15m extension of Smithfield mountain bike trails with push for a trail head, including commercial activities such as café/restaurant and bike shops
Third trail on Earl Hill starting at Vasey Esplanade – 'a mini' Mt Whitfield arrow experience
$85m Skyrail investment including new gondolas and cables
$30m redevelopment of Tjapukai into Cazalys Northside
Barron Delta aquatic precinct to include a series of five lakes including an internationally-sanctioned water ski pond, a barefoot ski facility, a rowing lake and a general purpose area.
