17 Things To Do In Palm Beach, Queensland

Bordered by Tallebudgera Creek, here’s how to spend a day in and around Palm Beach.

Sitting on the Gold Coast’s southern border with Burleigh Heads to its north, Palm Beach was once a sleepy seaside town with no real reason to stop in. Well, gone are those days. Over the last few years, ‘Palmy’ (as it’s affectionately known by the locals) has shaken off its middle child persona and majorly dialled up its coastal character.

Today, there are some very cool things to do in Palm Beach – so many, in fact, that you’ll be hard-pressed to fit everything into a day. We absolutely recommend driving by and seeing Palm Beach for yourself. Start with these local haunts and see how you go.

Beach and water activities in Palm Beach

Of course, it’s not a beach-town visit if you don’t do what it says on the tin. Work these leisurely outdoor activities into your plans.

1. Palm Beach

Awarded as the cleanest beach in Queensland three times, Palm Beach (the actual white sandy beach) is the ideal spot to sit down with your blanket, ice coffee, and book. While the current can be a little strong for swimmers, it’s a great spot for surfers.

On the southern side of the beach, there’s also a dog off-leash area so your four-legged friends can enjoy a paddle too.

Palm Beach with surfers paradise in the background — Palm Beach is the ideal spot relax. (Image: Destination Gold Coast)

2. Tallebudgera Creek

For a real family-friendly spot ideal for swimming and water sports, head to the sparkling Tallebudgera Creek. Framed by the Burleigh Heads National Park on one side and Palm Beach on the other, a visit here is a must-do. If you walk across the bridge, it takes you to the beautiful Burleigh Heads National Park.

people kayaking and paddle boarding along the calm waters of Tallebudgera Creek — Ride a kayak or simply laze on the beach. (Image: Tourism and Events Queensland)

3. Tarrabora Reserve

Located between the Palm Beach Parklands and Currumbin Creek, Tarrabora Reserve is a peaceful nature spot, perfect for swimming and enjoying some quiet time. For an additional adventure, follow the winding path to the neighbouring reserve Beree-Badalla, which runs adjacent to the creek.

Currumbin Creek gold coast — Find Tarrabora Reserve around the corner from Currumbin Creek. (Image: Destination Gold Coast)

On-land activities in Palm Beach

Palm Beach also has plenty to offer away from the beach, including the following activities.

4. Action Outdoor Hire

Leave your recreational gear at home and instead, hire whatever you need from Action Outdoor Hire . From bikes and stand-up paddleboards to kayaks, skateboards, and scooters, they’ve got whatever you need to get around Palm Beach in style.

Gold Coast Bike Ride — Hire bikes from Action Outdoor Hire. (Image: Destination Gold Coast)

5. Palm Beach Parklands

Known for its iconic pirate ship playground, the Palm Beach Parklands (next to the beach) is a go-to spot for families on the Gold Coast. There’s plenty of space for walking, cycling, a BBQ with friends, or a communal game of cricket. Dune Cafe is also located within the parklands offering breakfast and lunch from 6am.

6. Laguna Park

Surrounding a beautiful lake and home to a huge array of interactive and fun equipment to suit kids of all ages, Laguna Park is considered to be one of the Gold Coast’s best playgrounds. It’s completely fenced off and has plenty of shade, several BBQs and undercover picnic areas, and a new toilet block.

7. Ronnie Long Park

Another awesome playground is Ronnie Long Park close to Tallebudgera Creek. This fun beach-theme playground lets kids pretend to be lifesavers and look out from the top of the tower, or there’s a large red plane to climb and drive.

8. Pinot & Picasso Palm Beach

If you’re looking for a way to spend time with friends, enjoy some nibbles, and sip on some wine, then you should definitely look into Palm Beach’s Pinot & Picasso paint and sip sessions. Offering a unique combination of art events each month, there’s something appropriate for every level of painting skill. Bring your own wine, drinks, and snacks.

Find the best Palm Beach restaurants and cafes

Beach time, water sports, and playground adventures work up quite the appetite, and lucky for visitors to Palm Beach, there are a few foodie gems to satisfy the craving.

9. Palm Beach Surf Club

For a relaxed beachfront bar and restaurant, head to Palm Beach Surf Club and dine on the al fresco deck with a view. Here you’ll find the usual burgers, schnitzel, and seafood dishes available as well as special themed food days, such as kids eat free on Mondays, oyster Tuesday, steak Wednesday and parmi night Thursday.

10. The Collective

A foodie and cocktail lovers’ playground, The Collective is a genius establishment. Taking the concept of street markets and food trucks and amping them up with one joint menu and table service, it allows you to conveniently choose what you want to eat from five kitchens.

Offering the best of Mexican, Greek, Asian, American, and Italian cuisines, take your pick from pizzas, tacos to baos, and chicken ‘n’ waffles to margaritas and jugs of Pimm’s. This two-level space heaves on weekends so arrive early if you’re in a group.

food on table at The Collective gold coast — Find the best food and drink at The Collective. (Image: Destination Gold Coast)

11. Dune Cafe

Situated in the Palm Beach Parklands overlooking the Currumbin Lagoon, Dune Cafe has it all — a relaxed atmosphere, a view you wouldn’t say no to, and top-quality local produce. Take your pick of breakfast items, burgers, and light meal options on the menu including blueberry pancakes, the Dune Big Brekkie, a chilli scrambled egg bowl, or a Korean chicken burger.

interior of Dune Cafe in Palm Beach — Drop by Dune Cafe for your brunch fix. (Image: Dune Cafe)

12. Suga

You can even find a decent espresso martini in Palm Beach at the cocktail bar Suga . Described as the bar with no sign, you may have to look hard to find it (not really, it’s centrally located on Gold Coast Highway), but the reward is skilfully created cocktails – perfect for after-dinner drinks.

cocktail drinks at Suga bar, Palm Beach — Head to Suga bar for a quick buzz. (Image: Suga)

13. Tallebudgera Surf Club

As far as restaurants go, it doesn’t get any more beachfront than Tallebudgera Surf Club . Open seven days a week for lunch and dinner, expect to find casual but tasty eats from risotto to a classic chicken parmi, all using locally sourced ingredients wherever possible.

14. Burleigh Gelato Co. (Palm Beach)

Craving a taste of authentic artisan Italian gelato? Burleigh Gelato’s Palm Beach store is open until 9pm and will sort you out. Searching the world to find the most unique flavours; good luck choosing between mango, wild berry, cake batter, and chocolate and snickers.

two women holding two cones of gelato at Burleigh Gelato Co — A scoop of gelato will instantly put you in a good mood. (Image: Tourism and Events Queensland)

15. Custard Canteen

Just a few sandy steps away from the iconic Tallebudgera Creek is Custard Canteen , a well-known eatery for its amazing location, cute exterior, and tasty menu. Do yourself a favour and get a Portuguese tart or classic strawberry puff tart with their epic vanilla custard – they do it well! And if you’re lying by the creek and don’t want to line up, it’s easy to order takeaway.

different flavours of puff tart in a box at Custard Canteen — Drool over classic pastries from Custard Canteen.

Shopping in Palm Beach

Indulge in a little retail time as you wander the local stores and markets of Palm Beach.

16. Palm Beach Farmers Market

Operating every Saturday morning from six to 11 am, rain hail, or shine, the Palm Beach Farmers Market is a long-standing thriving hub of food and local culture. With between 75 and 80 stallholders attending each week, you’ll find a huge range of fresh fruits and vegetables, meat and poultry, seafood, dairy products, fresh pasta and sauces, baked goods, artisan bread, smallgoods, and health foods, with plenty of options to take away or enjoy fresh at the markets. We also have a guide to more markets on the Gold Coast, because one market is never enough.

17. Strange Days Store

For all things rock ‘n’ roll with a touch of Western soul, pop into Strange Days Store and browse the selection of vintage and up-cycled clothing and retro goods. Everything has been carefully and sustainably curated to pay homage to the 60s through to the 90s. Go in open-minded and come out with a treasure!

funky boots inside Strange Days Store, Palm Beach — Sprinkle some funkiness on your wardrobe with these cool boots. (Image: Strange Days Store)

Explore more of the Gold Coast’s beachside towns.

Adventure and refined Luxury combine at the stunning Rangelands Outback Camp.

Iconic Australian red dirt, ancient rocky landscapes and bursts of greenery and wildflowers all make the small town of Winton, and its surrounds, a sight to behold. Escape the ordinary and unwind in the Queensland outback, where ancient landscapes and off-grid luxury await at Rangelands Outback Camp.

cosy seats in Rangelands Outback Camp — Unwind in the ancient outback.

About Rangelands Outback Camp

Unforgettable 360-degree views of this 95-million-year-old land await at Rangelands; bathed in style and positioned on top of a jump-up (or mesa), your tented camp seamlessly blends into its outback setting.

Set on the 53,935-square-kilometre Rangelands Station – a working cattle property – the abundant wildlife are your only neighbours; kangaroos, echidnas, eagles and other birdlife all call Rangelands home.

Bathed in style, your tented camp seamlessly blends into its outback setting. Indulge with carefully curated menus, personalised service and supersized luxury tents that guarantee a private experience. This exclusive camp only has a maximum of 12 guests at a time.

Here, the aim is pampering. From tasty menus to supersized tents with all the creature comforts, to a range of guided tours around the property and beyond.

Guests are transferred from Winton or Longreach by a dedicated Rangelands driver.

aerial shot of Rangelands Outback Camp tent — Soak in 360-degree views.

Rangelands Outback Camp tours

Join small-group tours and enjoy exclusive access to the ancient Rangelands Rifts with your Rangelands hosts. These incredible rock formations were formed by millions of years of erosion, leaving dramatic channels through the rock. Or explore the surrounds with Rangeland’s touring partner, Red Dirt Tours .

Get sunset birds-eye views over dramatic mesa country in a helicopter, from Queensland’s own Three Sisters to Corey’s Range, stopping at the best lookouts along the way.

Get up close and personal with this rugged land on four wheels, with expert drivers and guides leading guests through famous Bladensburg National Park, visiting Gondwana Stars Observatory and more.

The Winton area is famous for its boulder opals (the second-rarest opal in the world, after black opals), and a stop at the mining community of Opalton sheds a fascinating light on the unique fossicking method used to find them.

A trip to dinosaur country is a must, as this is the place that ramped up Australia’s dino contribution after a fossilised footprint was found in 1962; after more exploration, the discovery of 3300 footprints made it clear this was the world’s only evidence of a dinosaur stampede. Those same footprints are still on display today at Lark Quarry Conservation Park , a 90-minute drive from Winton. Also check out Australia’s largest collection of Australian Dinosaur fossils Australian Age of Dinosaurs, just 30 minutes from Winton. Here, join a tour through a working laboratory, dinosaur canyon and more.

A twice-daily transfer into downtown Winton is offered to guests, where they can explore the Royal Outdoor Theatre, opal shops, Waltzing Matilda Centre and more.

tour being led through Rangeland rifts — Have an exclusive adventure through the Rangeland Rifts. (Image: TEQ)

Sleeping in luxury

After a day of exploring, return to your tranquil tent for a blissful open shower and uninterrupted views from your private deck.

Designed to integrate guests into the surrounding nature, each tent feels like its own private haven. While being off-grid in the outback (in fact, each tent is powered by its own solar panels, with the added support of a backup generator), guests can also luxuriate in comfortable amenities like air conditioning, a supremely comfortable king-size bed and stylish designer touches.

Guests can stroll to the open-air Sunset Deck for breathtaking panoramic views, or to the main lounge and dining tent, where books, on-demand coffee and drinks make it the perfect place to relax after a day in the outback.

inside Rangelands Outback Camp bedroom — Enjoy plenty of space inside, and stunning views outside.

Rangelands Outback Camp dining

As the sun starts to dip below the horizon, gather for drinks and canapés on the expansive Sunset Deck, watching the sun drench the landscape in pinks and oranges as it sinks below the horizon.

Later, head to The Mahal lounge area and dining tent where mealtime magic happens. Savour a gourmet meal made fresh by Rangeland’s onsite chef. The meals use local produce to elevate classic outback dishes, and don’t worry, dietary requirements are happily accommodated.

Enjoy an open bar filled with an expansive hand-selected list of wines and premium beers, with wine pairings offered by Rangelands hosts come dinner time.

Discover more and book your luxurious stay at rangelandscamp.com.

17 things to do in Palm Beach, Queensland