subject: Yorkeys Knob near Cairns offers a few of the best beaches in Queensland [print this page] Yorkeys Knob near Cairns offers a few of the best beaches in Queensland
Yorkeys Knob is located just 8 miles from Cairns, the capital city of Far North Queensland, Australia. It's a booming beach resort which is in the area's group of three beach suburbs, the other two being Holloways and Machans Beaches. The northern part of Sims Esplanade provides the perfect swimming conditions in Yorkeys. These are also ideal for wind and kite-surfing.
During the summer months, the beach is patrolled by lifeguards. Swimmers are protected against the painful stings from the box jellyfish by a stinger net. The safe bathing areas are demarcated by lifeguard's flags so you should swim between them. In past years, the nearby rocks have caused several drownings.
Any sun-worshipper is going to be in his or her element at Yorkeys Knob. Apart from the beautiful beach, you will find barbecue and picnic facilities, and also toilets and showers. The beachfront is lined with coconut palms, ballnuts, beach almonds, and she-oak casuarinas which give it a beautiful ambiance. A multi-million dollar clubhouse forms part of the Half Moon Marina where tourists can dine alfresco on a large undercover deck.
The bar area boasts stunning views that expand right across the Coral Sea. The popular Driftaways Restaurant has a menu that includes everything from grilled octopus salad, to potato wedges with a divine sweet chili sauce, and tender steaks. Driftaways is open for lunches and dinners each day of the week, and offers a Sunday breakfast on deck until 10am.
Tucked in a cove near the Half Moon Marina is the Yorkeys Knob Boating Club which welcomes visitors. You'll be able to enjoy a bistro meal in the open air while watching all the activities on the marina. There are berths for 200 boats that can accommodate vessels up to 30 meters in length.
One of Australia's most spectacular attractions, the Great Barrier Reef, is easily accessible from Yorkeys Knob. Here, you can wind-surf or snorkel, dive, and swim to see an abundance of marine life and marvel at the remarkable sights under the water. Snorkeling is the perfect alternative for those who don't fancy diving and you can easily see the underwater wonders from the shallower areas of water.
Anyone who enjoys bird-watching should go the golf club. It is possible to see rainbow lorikeets, kingfishers, masked lapwings, bush stone curlews, and sea eagles galore. A huge colony of flying foxes has made their home near holes 12 and 13. As dusk approaches, they fly out in droves to find food and, during the day, they hang from mangrove trees and make an almost deafening noise.
Many of Cairns' major tourist attractions are very close to Yorkeys. Don't miss a ride in the Skyrail Rainforest Cableway which stretches across an area of 7.5 km. Glide over the unspoiled rainforests and take a descent right into the depth of a forest where there are two mid-stations. Here, you can take pictures and relax before the cable car takes you back. When considering Yorkeys Knob accommodation, there are many quality facilities. These include some first-rate and affordable 4-star hotels, penthouses, villas, resorts, holiday units, and holiday apartments.
