Ellis Beach is a long, scenic stretch of the Cairns Northern Beaches, sitting just north of Palm Cove on the Captain Cook Highway. Framed by rainforest hills and the Coral Sea, it offers a quieter alternative with a seasonal stinger net, dog off-leash area, beachfront holiday park and the popular Ellis Beach Bar & Grill.

🏝️Why Visit Ellis Beach Cairns?

Ellis Beach Cairns is the rainforest highway beach just north of Palm Cove, with a seasonal Ellis Beach stinger net at the surf club. Stay on the sand at Ellis Beach holiday park. For a dog friendly Ellis Beach walk, use only the signed southern 450 m from the rocks.

🏖️Things to Do at Ellis Beach Cairns

🏊 Net Swim — Inside the Ellis Beach stinger net and between the flags when patrols are on.
🏕️ Ellis Beach holiday park — Ellis Beach Oceanfront Holiday Park, powered sites and cabins on the sand.
🚶 Beach Walk — Long sand under the range, highway on one side, Double Island offshore.
🎣 Rocks — Fishing from the headlands at either end.
🚗 Highway Stop — Captain Cook Highway pull-in between Cairns and Port Douglas.

🏊‍♀️ Swimming and the Ellis Beach Stinger Net

🛟 Ellis Beach stinger net — In from November to May at the club swim.
🚩 Flags — Swim inside the net and between the flags when Ellis Beach SLSC or ALSQ is on duty.
📅 Patrols — Seasonal. Weekends, public holidays and school holidays are the usual cover. Check the flags. This is not Palm Cove all-week cover.
🚫 Outside the net — Not the stinger-season swim.
🐊 Creeks — Be Crocwise at outlets. Do not swim in creek mouths.

🐶Dog Friendly Ellis Beach

🐕 South end — Off-leash from the rocks at the southern end, about 450 m north, next to the car park.
🦮 Rest of beach — On-leash on all other sand and paths.
🚫 Net — No dogs in the Ellis Beach stinger net or on the sand in front of it.
🏨 Park — Off-leash sand is not the same as a pet site at Ellis Beach holiday park. Confirm the park’s own pet rule before you book.
💩 Clean up — Pick up. Fines apply.

⛺ Ellis Beach Holiday Park

🏕️ Ellis Beach holiday park — Ellis Beach Oceanfront Holiday Park on the Captain Cook Highway, right on the sand.
🛏️ Stay — Powered sites, cabins and bungalows. This is the paid camp. No free sand camping.
🏊 Pool — Park pool and wading pool on site.
🍖 Grill — Ellis Beach Bar and Grill on the foreshore.
🚫 Pets — Do not assume the park takes dogs. Check the park before you arrive.

🛠️Facilities & Accessibility

🚽 Toilets — At the main beach access near the club.
🍖 Ellis Beach Bar and Grill — Foreshore meals and drinks.
🛟 Club — Ellis Beach SLSC at the netted swim.
♿ Wheelchair — Beach wheelchair through the life saver station when staffed. No accessible toilets or showers at the club.
🚫 No 4WD — Highway and sealed parks only.

🌤️Best Time to Visit Ellis Beach Cairns

☀️ May to October — Drier air and the easiest walk.
🪼 November to May — Use the Ellis Beach stinger net.
🚩 Flags — Strongest cover on weekends, public holidays and school holidays.
📸 Light — Early morning and late afternoon. Highway traffic is quieter then.

🅿️Ellis Beach Parking

🅿️ Day parks — Northern and central highway car parks for beach users.
🌉 Spring Creek — Pedestrian bridge links the northern and central parks.
🚐 Long bays — Formal bays and long-vehicle space at the northern park.
🏕️ Guests — Holiday park parking is for staying guests. Day visitors use the public parks.
🚌 Bus — Most people drive. Do not plan this stop around frequent Sunbus.

📍Nearby Attractions

🌴 Palm Cove — 5 to 10 minutes south. Jetty, cafes and heavier patrols.
🏝️ Double Island — On the horizon. Closed for rebuild. Kayak from Palm Cove, not from a ferry here.
🐊 Hartley’s Crocodile Adventures — Short drive north on the Captain Cook Highway at Wangetti.
🏖️ Port Douglas and Four Mile Beach — About 40 minutes north.
🌿 Mossman Gorge — Daintree day trip further north.
🌳 Kuranda — Skyrail and railway from the Cairns side.

📆 Events & Markets Nearby

🛍️ Palm Cove Markets (first Sunday monthly) — Artisan goods, boutique stalls, crafts, art, wellness items, and gourmet food along the foreshore.
🎨 Tanks Arts Centre Markets (monthly) — A creative marketplace with handmade art, jewellery, ceramics, clothing, and local crafts.
🎶 Cairns Festival (August/September) — City-wide events, street parades, concerts, art installations, and live performances.
🍜 Rusty’s Markets (Friday-Sunday) — Cairns’ iconic multicultural produce market with tropical fruits, pastries, flowers, and street food.
🌴 Palm Cove Food & Wine Events (seasonal) — Boutique food festivals, beachfront dining pop-ups, and cocktail nights.

For a full list of what’s on in the region, visit the
👉 Cairns & Northern Beaches Region Attractions | Best Things to Do in Far North Queensland

🏕️Accommodation near Ellis Beach

🏕️ Ellis Beach Oceanfront Holiday Park — Beachfront powered sites, cabins and bungalows with direct sand access
🏨 Palm Cove Resorts — Wide range of hotels, apartments and luxury stays just a few minutes south
🏡 Holiday Houses — Self-contained rentals available along the Northern Beaches coastline

📖 Read Accommodation Reviews
📸 Submit Your Accommodation Review
💡 Please note: Full names and emails are kept private — only your chosen Display Name will appear publicly with your review.

🍴 Places to Eat & Drink

Ellis Beach offers a relaxed tropical vibe with the popular Ellis Beach Bar & Grill right across from the sand, serving classic meals, seafood, and refreshing drinks with ocean views. Visitors can also enjoy picnics by the beach or explore nearby Palm Cove for more dining options — then share your favourite food and drink experiences below!

📖 Read Food & Drinks Reviews
📸 Submit Your Food & Drinks Review
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🧭Plan Your Trip to Ellis Beach Cairns

Ellis Beach, Cairns Queensland combines natural beauty, convenience, and relaxation. With its golden sands, rainforest backdrop, camping facilities, and patrolled swimming, it’s a must-visit stop on any Northern Beaches itinerary. Whether for a day trip, photography, or an overnight coastal escape, Ellis Beach delivers the perfect balance of adventure and serenity.

💬 Share Your Ellis Beach Photos & Reviews

📸 We’d love to see your favourite moments from the Cairns & Northern Beaches Region! Upload your photos, share your experiences, and leave a review to help other visitors discover the stunning tropical coastline stretching from Cairns to Port Douglas.

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💡 Please note: Full names and emails are kept private — only your chosen Display Name will appear publicly.

💙 Explore More Beaches Nearby

Explore more of Cairns’ northern coastline:
Palm Cove ➜ | Clifton Beach ➜ | Trinity Beach ➜ | Double Island ➜

🌊 About This Beach Directory

🌴 Note: This directory doesn’t include every beach in Queensland — there are simply too many! We’ve selected the most significant and unique beaches based on a range of factors including natural beauty, accessibility, and local popularity.

💌 If you think we’ve missed one that deserves to be featured, we’d love to hear from you!

📧 Email us at Admin@QldBeach.com with your photos and tell us why your favourite beach should be added.

☀️ Happy surfing, swimming and sunning from the Queensland Beach Guide team!

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_{Last updated: June 2026}

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