Palm Cove Markets

Palm Cove Markets brings more than 130 stalls to Williams Esplanade in Palm Cove, Cairns, with the market running beneath palm and paperbark trees and overlooking the beach. Its setting is a key part of the experience: the stalls follow the esplanade, while nearby restaurants and bars add to the relaxed atmosphere. It is a market to take at an easy pace, with plenty of scenery around the browsing.

The focus is on sustainable local products and quality handmade work. Regular stall categories include local arts and crafts, gifts and souvenirs, plants and produce, massage, wellness and snacks, alongside services and other goods from a varied group of stallholders. Entertainment includes busking and activities for children, making the market suitable for families as well as visitors looking for a casual Sunday outing. Solo visitors and small groups can also explore the stalls at their own pace, with the beachside location and surrounding Palm Cove venues providing natural options for extending the visit.

Palm Cove Markets developed from a small Friday evening event in 2015 into a regular community market held on the first Sunday of the month. The market is managed by the Rotary Club of Cairns Sunrise under an agreement with Cairns Regional Council. That Rotary connection is central to its story: the club supports local projects, including the Too Deadly Treadlys Indigenous Cycling Group, as well as wider causes through its international network and the Rotary Foundation.

The 2026 schedule listed on the market’s website includes dates from 29 March, followed by 3 May, 7 June, 5 July, 2 August, 4 October, 1 November and 6 December, with no market listed for April or September. The website also directs visitors to its market information resources for practical details such as parking, maps and visitor questions. With its combination of handmade products, local stalls, children’s entertainment, busking and a shaded beachfront setting, Palm Cove Markets suits a relaxed outing for families, visitors and locals exploring Palm Cove.