Kai Enz | Take a break from thinking, come and see the sea, have a drink, and daydream.

If your flight arrives in Cairns in the afternoon, I highly recommend making Palm Cove your first stop. Half a day is more than enough time to immediately feel the energy of nature and switch into vacation mode. After a short rest at your hotel or a quick makeup session, heading to Palm Cove is just the right time—perfect for enjoying the sea view, taking photos, watching the sunset, and having dinner. A taxi ride from the city center to Palm Cove takes about 30 minutes, but Uber is even faster (I used both Didi and Uber for all four days; Didi was indeed cheaper, but I couldn't get a ride at all 😅). Public transportation is also available, though it takes a little longer. However, if you arrive in Cairns early in the afternoon and aren't in a rush, it's also a great option. Seeing the cityscape of an unfamiliar city is incredibly therapeutic and allows you to slow down. For those planning to travel by public transport, remember to check the last return bus in advance, as it seems to depart quite early. Palm Bay has many restaurants, mostly Western-style cafes and bars, and they're probably all pretty similar. If you really want to try the wildly popular "NuNu Restaurant," remember to make a reservation in advance! I went on a weekday walk-in, and although there were many empty tables, the staff said they were all booked, and waiting in line would take about an hour. "Numi Gelato" next door is highly recommended, but it was already closed when I remembered it 😭. Learning from this experience, you can take a taxi and book to Nunu, buy ice cream first, and then walk towards the beach. Cairns | Cairns Travel | Cairns Guide | Cairns Car-Free Travel Guide | Cairns Vacation | Cairns Palm Bay | Cairns Beach Views | Cairns Sunset | Cairns Attractions | Must-Do Activities in Cairns