Yorkeys Knob visitor information
Yorkeys Knob is the most central beach of Cairns Northern Beaches located right in between Cairns and Palm Cove. Yorkeys Knob is a great beach for adventure enthusiasts and active travellers who want to escape the tourist-dense hotspots associated with many other beaches around Cairns. Yorkeys Knob attracts kite-surfers almost every day of the week who surf and jump the waves with the wind. Fishermen in search of Marlin, Barramundi, Nannygai and Mangrove Jack, too love Yorkeys Knob which is home to one of Cairns largest boat marinas. Million dollar yachts, fishing boats and personal vessels are moored at the Yorkeys Knob Marina year round. Golfers can enjoy a leisurely game at the Half Moon Bay Golf Course which is an 18-hole course located in Yorkeys Knob.
Now you may be wondering- what exactly does the name Yorkeys Knob mean? It certainly doesn’t emulate the beautiful beaches and clear coral waters that make this beach so aesthetically pleasing. The “Knob” part of the name is named after a rocky outcrop that extends from the coral coast. This vegetated protrusion gives way to a calm and sandy moon-shaped bay called Half Moon Bay where today, the marina and boat club stand. The word Yorkey is named after a man who resided on the “Knob” in the 1800’s. George Lawson, a Yorkshire man who was a hard-living fisherman was nicknamed “Yorkey”. Although pieces of this historical tale are missing it is thought that the name Yorkeys Knob was named after this daring Yorkshire fisherman affectionately called “Yorkey”.
Yorkeys Knob is a great beach to spend the day, whether you want to play a game of footy (Australia football), cricket or soccer or perhaps you’d prefer taking a more easygoing approach, sun tanning and enjoying a beachside family picnic. There are no large resorts in Yorkeys Knob however you will find several luxury holiday self contained apartments that line the beachfront Esplanade as well as holiday homes and B&Bs.
Dining in Yorkeys Knob…
Yorkeys Knob has one of the best outdoor patio restaurants in the Cairns area, Yorkeys Knob Boat Club. This lively eatery provides breakfast, lunch and dinner everyday of the week and the menu is extensive providing something for all tastes, including kids. There are several themed events and nights at the Boat Club including children’s nights and Margaritaville Sundays and on weekends there is nightly live entertainment; they even provide free transfers to and from your accommodation. Along the waterfront there are a few take-away shops and restaurants and at the Yorkeys Knob Shopping Center you will find more places to grab a bite. Star Apple Restaurant at The Half Moon Bay Golf Course has great meals and an extensive wine list.
Nightlife in Yorkeys Knob…
The best nightlife you will find at Yorkeys Knob is at the Yorkeys Knob Boat Club. On weekends the boat club draws a significant crowd and features live local talent. The boat club also has poker machines for the avid small time gambler and a free pick up and drop of service to your resort accommodation. Alternatively catching the local Sun Bus into Cairns (which runs every hour) or hire a taxi (roughly $20.00 one way) is a good option for great nightlife any night of the week.
Shopping in Yorkeys Knob…
The shopping in Yorkeys Knob is great if you need to get the newspaper or to buy a few groceries. Other than that you may want to head to your nearest major shopping centre at either Smithfield (10 minutes north) or Cairns (10 minutes south).
Tours in and around Yorkeys Knob…
Other than fishing tours, there isn’t much in the way of day tours in Yorkeys Knob; however most tour companies will pick up each morning at your Yorkeys Knob accommodation. Tours departing to the Great Barrier Reef leave daily. Take a high speed catamaran to the Outer Barrier Reef to truly see some unique marine-life like fish, stingrays, sharks and sea turtles. There are also half day voyages to Green Island just off the coast of Cairns where you can snorkel, scuba dive, parasail or see a giant salt water crocodile in captivity. Rainforest tours also depart from Yorkeys Knob daily. Glide overtop of the rainforest on the Sky Rail aerial cableway or ride through the jungle on Kuranda Scenic Rail. The Daintree Rainforest, north of Port Douglas is home to some of the most primitive wildlife and plant species in the world and the waterfall rainforest circuit on the Atherton Tablelands is something that cannot be missed! Extreme adventure tours include bungee jumping, jungle surfing, ATV riding, sky-diving, white water rafting and helicopter scenic tours. There are several wildlife attractions, great for the family like The Cairns Tropical Zoo, The Wildlife Safari Park and Hartley’s Crocodile Park. For more information on tours of the region click here
Climate in Yorkeys Knob…
Year round you will find lovely weather in Yorkeys Knob. Winters are generally cooler with temperatures ranging from 10 degree (in the mornings) to about 28 degrees in peak hour sunshine. The summer temperatures fluctuate only slightly averaging about 32 degrees.
Location of Yorkeys Knob…
Yorkeys Knob is situated perfectly between Cairns and Palm Cove. From Cairns drive north and make a right hand turn at the third round-a-bout. From Palm Cove drive south and turn left at the sixth roundabout.
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