17 things to do in Palm Beach, Queensland

Jemma Fletcher Jemma Fletcher
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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)

Need tips, more detail or itinerary ideas tailored to you? Ask AT.

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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.

Pinot & Picasso Palm Beach
Try Palm Beach’s Pinot & Picasso paint and sip sessions.

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)

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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.

Palm Beach Farmers Market
Find everything from local crafts to fresh fruit and veg.

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.

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Jemma Fletcher
Based in sun-kissed Brisbane, Jemma Fletcher is an accomplished writer, editor and content manager. Armed with a Bachelor of Journalism from The University of Queensland, as well as over a decade of tourism marketing experience, Jemma now specialises in freelance travel writing and has a soft spot for the beauty of Queensland. Her expertise has been honed through her previous roles as Chief Editor of Queensland.com and WeekendNotes.com and she is the passionate creator of High Cup of Tea, an online directory celebrating Australia's finest high tea experiences. After growing up in the UK (hence her love for tea and scones) and a delightful chapter in Sydney, Jemma loves to explore quaint towns with a rich history. Also high on her weekend list is tasting the local cafe scene, enjoying charming farm stays with her young family and deciding where her next travel adventure will be (half of the fun is in the planning!)
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Can’t handle the cold? Hamilton Island serves a slice of summer in winter

(Image: Hamilton Island)

    Eleanor Edström Eleanor Edström
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    When the winter chill settles in, an escape to Hamilton Island’s year-round tropical shores is the only acceptable coping mechanism.

    As a heliophile with the cold tolerance of a Mediterranean house cat, the arrival of winter tends to spark a particular panic. How will I survive? Must I really start layering? What do you mean, Aperol season is over? But there are far better ways to spend the cooler months than sulking in the depths of your doona.

    Enter, Hamilton Island. With its year-round sunshine and permanent on-holiday atmosphere, this Whitsundays favourite promises a veritable slice of summer in winter.

    Think salt-stiff hair and the smug pleasure of devouring seafood beside the water while friends back home are defogging their windscreens. Here’s why Hamilton Island should figure into your winter plans.

    1. Year-round summer weather

    A woman hiking along the Passage Peak trail on Hamilton Island.
    Hike under sunny winter skies on Hamilton Island. (Image: Andrew Caitens)

    In the crisper months, Hamilton Island offers perfectly mild, sunny weather (17-24°C) that lends itself to morning swims and afternoon spritzes. Better still, you can enjoy the island’s outdoor adventures – from hiking to mountain biking – without the humidity or rain you’ll often find in summertime. With direct flights from most major Australian cities offering ease of access, Hamilton Island is the ideal place to flee the cold.

    2. Getting active without the humidity

    A buggy parked overlooking Hamilton Island’s golf course, with sweeping views of the sea at Whitsundays in winter.
    Zip around Hamilton Island by buggy. (Image: Hamilton Island)

    Whether you’re hiking up to Passage Peak or exploring the island by buggy, tropical Queensland humidity is nobody’s friend. The one way to guarantee you will avoid the inevitable stickiness and fluffy hair? Visit during winter. There’s plenty to be enjoyed, from sunrise yoga at The Sundays (exclusive to guests of The Sundays) to playing golf on Dent Island.

    3. Hamilton Island Race Week

    Yachts racing across the sparkling Whitsundays during Hamilton Island Race Week.
    Feel the thrill of Hamilton Island Race Week. (Image: Salty Dingo)

    Taking place in August, Hamilton Island Race Week is a destination in its own right that attracts spectators and racers from around the globe. Boating enthusiasts and thrill-seeking holidaymakers flock to the island, which is palpably energetic as the first yachts set off for Dent Passage from Hamilton Island Yacht Club. The annual action-packed week, taking place from 15 to 22 August in 2026, offers an exciting calendar of on- and off-water events – spanning everything from celebrity chef dinners to golfing comps and wine tastings.

    4. Best time for snorkelling

    A woman snorkelling in the crystal-clear waters of the Great Barrier Reef.
    Explore Hamilton Island’s winter waters. (Image: Andrew Caitens)

    While the crowds on Hamilton Island may disperse with the cooler weather, the marine life certainly doesn’t. Winter is widely considered one of the best times to snorkel and dive in the Whitsundays.

    It’s down to a number of reasons: excellent water visibility, higher chances of seeing whales as they migrate north and – best of all – no nasty stingers. This means no need to wear those notoriously unflattering full-body wetsuits visitors have to wear in warmer months. On top of all this, you’ll find calm seas ideal for sailing and Great Barrier Reef tours.

    5. Fewer crowds

    People kayaking.
    Experience a quieter Hamilton Island on a kayaking adventure. (Image: Hamilton Island)

    Winter is often the quietest time to visit Hamilton Island, with the peak season crowds thinned to a relaxed trickle. You can snorkel or dive straight off the reef-laced waters of Catseye Beach, then swap fins for a buggy and zip between One Tree Hill, the marina and sunset cocktails without the usual summer queues. Active days stretch from kayaking, sailing and jet skiing to hopping over to famous Whitehaven Beach to witness those breathtaking white swirls of silica sand. You won’t have to elbow your way to the front of the crowd to get a good snap.

    6. Delicious dining

    The interiors of Bommie Restaurant, featuring modern coastal design with warm lighting and elegant detailing.
    Treat yourself to Bommie Restaurant’s fine dining featuring fresh, seasonal Aussie produce. (Image: Nikki To)

    The food on Hamilton Island tastes just as good any time of year, and winter is still perfect weather for sundowners. Start with an iced tea Negroni at harbourside Bommie Deck, before transitioning to Bommie Restaurant for a fine-dining feast centering on seasonal Aussie ingredients. Or perhaps enjoy a more casual poolside evening at Sails Restaurant, where plates of chermoula chicken skewers, baked cauliflower steak and crispy sumac squid come served with ocean views. From family-friendly pub meals to elevated wine tastings, there’s something for everyone.

    5. Clear skies for idyllic views

    The golden hour across the Whitsundays in winter.
    End your day with golden Hamilton Island sunsets over the water. (Image: Hamilton Island)

    Never let a cloud rain on the parade of Hamilton Island’s spectacular scenery. Winter brings clearer skies and more stable weather to the Whitsundays, meaning your picture-perfect sunset at One Tree Hill is likely to remain that way. And after putting in the legwork to hike to a scenic lookout, the last thing you want is a vista hidden behind low cloud and haze.

    To learn more about travelling to the Whitsundays in winter, visit hamitlonisland.com.au.