{"ok":true,"data":{"id":419,"slug":"yorkeys-knob-beach-cairns","name":"Yorkeys Knob Beach","country":"Australia","state":"Queensland","city":"Cairns","coords":{"lat":-16.8046,"lng":145.7208},"beachType":null,"tags":["famous","family","urban","scenic"],"article":{"hero":"Yorkeys Knob sits eleven kilometers north of Cairns proper, a residential pocket that feels more like a fishing village than a tourist beachhead. The shoreline unfolds in a generous crescent, the kind of beach where you can stake out twenty meters of sand to yourself even on a July weekend. Locals walk Labradors at dawn; kitesurfers rig on the grass verge when the southeast trades pick up in the afternoon. The beach shelves gently into Trinity Bay, and at low tide the sand hardens into a natural boardwalk that stretches nearly a kilometer toward the mangroves fringing the Barron River mouth.\n\nThe marina dominates the southern end—a working harbor where charter boats refuel and anglers hose down decks after reef trips. You'll see men in singlets filleting mackerel on steel tables, gulls wheeling overhead. A paved esplanade runs behind the dunes, lined with ironbarks that drop shade in coin-shaped patches. There's a single surf-club canteen, a playground with sea-grape hedges, and not much else—no high-rises, no day-spa signage, no queue for gelato.\n\nThe water stays swimmable year-round, though stinger nets go up November through May. You won't find the postcard blues of the outer reef here; Trinity Bay runs teal to grey depending on the tide and recent rain. What you gain is elbow room, parking that's always free, and the particular pleasure of a beach that hasn't yet been packaged for Instagram.","teaser":"You'll find the scent of diesel and saltwater mingling at Yorkeys Knob's timber jetty, where trawlers bob alongside white catamarans. The beach sweeps north in a broad arc of sand firmer underfoot than most Cairns shores, backed by pandanus and she-oaks instead of resort towers.","uniqueAngle":"Yorkeys Knob delivers the widest stretch of uncrowded sand on the Cairns northern beaches, anchored by a genuine working marina instead of resort infrastructure.","accessType":"Drive-up","thingsToDo":[{"icon":"kayak","title":"Paddle the Marina","subtitle":"Launch beside moored trawlers"},{"icon":"sun","title":"Low-Tide Walks","subtitle":"Firm sand for kilometers north"},{"icon":"food","title":"Surf Club Deck","subtitle":"Cold beer, salt-crusted tables"},{"icon":"camera","title":"Jetty at Sunset","subtitle":"Silhouettes of fishing boats"}],"audience":{"surfer":"Yorkeys Knob isn't a surf destination—you're looking at mushy beach-break peelers on rare easterly swells, knee-high at best. The real action is kitesurfing: southeast trades funnel through April to October, turning the northern shallows into a flat-water playground. Launch from the grass near the boat ramp. Respect the swim zones marked by flags; the surf club patrols weekends. If you're chasing barrels, drive south to Etty Bay or wait for cyclone swell—this is a bay beach, protected and placid most days.","couples":"Book a table at Yorkeys Knob Boating Club's upper deck for sunsets over the marina—grilled barramundi, cold Riesling, fishing boats backlit in amber. The beach is too functional for barefoot strolls at high tide, but low tide opens a firm sand runway perfect for evening walks toward the mangroves. Accommodation skews toward Airbnb bungalows and self-contained units rather than boutique lodges; you're trading romance packaging for privacy and lower rates. Grab takeaway fish and chips from Scoopz and picnic on the esplanade benches under the ironbarks.","backpacker":"Yorkeys Knob lacks hostels, but Cairns Central YHA is fifteen minutes south by bus (Route 110, $4.80 one-way; buy a go card at newsagents for discounts). The beach itself is free—no parking meters, no stinger-suit rental fees if you swim outside net season. Scoopz Ice Creamery does $8 fish-and-chip packs; the IGA supermarket two blocks inland sells bread rolls and tuna for under $5. Hitch a ride on charter boats heading to the reef by chatting up skippers at the marina around 7 a.m.—some need deck hands and trade labor for a dive.","local":"Hit the beach before 6:30 a.m. to avoid the dog-walking rush and claim the best shelling spots near the river-mouth rocks at extreme low tide. The mangrove fringe north of the boat ramp hides a narrow channel where bream and flathead school; locals cast lures there at dusk. Park at the southern marina lot, not the main esplanade—ten fewer minutes of walking, and you're closer to the cleanest stretch of sand. Skip weekends in school holidays; midweek mornings in May are when you'll have the entire crescent to yourself.","family":null,"party":null,"diver":null,"explorer":null},"faqs":[{"a":"Yorkeys Knob Beach is generally considered one of the safer swimming spots along Cairns' Northern Beaches. The beach features a patrolled swimming area during peak seasons, and the protected bay creates calmer conditions compared to more exposed beaches. However, marine stingers (jellyfish) are present from November to May, so wearing stinger suits is strongly recommended during these months. Always swim between the flags when lifeguards are on duty, observe warning signs, and avoid swimming alone or at dawn/dusk when crocodiles may be more active in Far North Queensland coastal areas.","q":"Is Yorkeys Knob Beach safe for swimming?"},{"a":"Yorkeys Knob Beach is enjoyable year-round, but the dry season from May to October offers the most comfortable conditions with lower humidity, minimal rainfall, and no marine stingers. Water temperatures remain warm (23-29°C) throughout the year. June to August sees cooler, pleasant weather ideal for beach activities without extreme heat. The wet season (November-April) brings afternoon storms and requires stinger suits for swimming, though mornings are often clear. Weekdays tend to be quieter than weekends, and the beach faces east, making it perfect for sunrise viewing any time of year.","q":"What is the best time to visit Yorkeys Knob Beach?"},{"a":"Yorkeys Knob Beach is located 15 kilometres north of Cairns CBD, approximately 20 minutes by car via the Captain Cook Highway. Free parking is available at the Wattle Street beach access point and along nearby residential streets. The beach is accessible by Sunbus route 110, which connects Cairns city to the Northern Beaches. For cyclists, a dedicated pathway runs along the coast. The main beach area is easily accessible with paved paths suitable for strollers and wheelchairs. Parking is generally plentiful except during peak holiday periods and weekends.","q":"How do you get to Yorkeys Knob Beach and where can you park?"},{"a":"Yorkeys Knob offers good local amenities including the Yorkeys Knob Boating Club, which serves meals and drinks with ocean views. Several cafes and takeaway options are located within the small village centre, a short walk from the beach. The Half Moon Shopping Village nearby has a supermarket and additional dining choices. Beach facilities include public toilets, showers, picnic tables, and shaded BBQ areas. Accommodation options range from holiday apartments and self-contained units to caravan parks. While more low-key than Palm Cove, the area provides essential services for a comfortable beach day.","q":"What food and amenities are available at Yorkeys Knob Beach?"},{"a":"Yorkeys Knob Beach is unique for its marina and working boat harbour, making it a hub for fishing charters, diving trips, and reef tours rather than just a swimming beach. The Yorkeys Knob Boat Club is a local institution with affordable meals and a community atmosphere distinct from resort-style venues elsewhere. The beach is notably less commercialised than Palm Cove or Trinity Beach, attracting more locals and families seeking a quieter experience. The shallow, protected waters and spacious foreshore with extensive parkland make it particularly popular for young families and picnicking.","q":"What makes Yorkeys Knob Beach different from other Cairns Northern Beaches?"}]},"seo":{"title":"Yorkeys Knob Beach: Cairns' Sheltered Northern Gem","description":"Calm turquoise waters and a boat-studded marina define this sheltered Cairns beach. Families wade in protected shallows while kiteboarders catch tropical winds.","ogImage":"https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/52319193449_f3f7e123d7_b.jpg"},"images":[{"id":"490844","url":"https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/52319193449_f3f7e123d7_b.jpg","thumbnail":"https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/52319193449_f3f7e123d7.jpg","alt":"Trinity Beach"},{"id":"490845","url":"https://live.staticflickr.com/3119/5823685499_9e0d0a4c5b_b.jpg","thumbnail":"https://live.staticflickr.com/3119/5823685499_9e0d0a4c5b.jpg","alt":"Bike Leg - Challenge Cairns"},{"id":"490846","url":"https://live.staticflickr.com/3168/5822889142_cbe6a52674_b.jpg","thumbnail":"https://live.staticflickr.com/3168/5822889142_cbe6a52674.jpg","alt":"Bike Leg - Challenge Cairns"},{"id":"490847","url":"https://live.staticflickr.com/3500/5822896512_4cb349eda3_b.jpg","thumbnail":"https://live.staticflickr.com/3500/5822896512_4cb349eda3.jpg","alt":"Bike Leg - Challenge Cairns"},{"id":"490848","url":"https://live.staticflickr.com/2610/5822766378_858cd1a130_b.jpg","thumbnail":"https://live.staticflickr.com/2610/5822766378_858cd1a130.jpg","alt":"Bike Leg - Challenge Cairns"},{"id":"490849","url":"https://live.staticflickr.com/2702/5822172039_81530000d2_b.jpg","thumbnail":"https://live.staticflickr.com/2702/5822172039_81530000d2.jpg","alt":"Bike Leg - Challenge Cairns"},{"id":"490850","url":"https://live.staticflickr.com/2737/5822897992_806d0878df_b.jpg","thumbnail":"https://live.staticflickr.com/2737/5822897992_806d0878df.jpg","alt":"Bike Leg - Challenge Cairns"},{"id":"490851","url":"https://live.staticflickr.com/2496/5822881446_99615cab52_b.jpg","thumbnail":"https://live.staticflickr.com/2496/5822881446_99615cab52.jpg","alt":"Bike Leg - Challenge Cairns"},{"id":"490852","url":"https://live.staticflickr.com/3040/5822864078_269136b389_b.jpg","thumbnail":"https://live.staticflickr.com/3040/5822864078_269136b389.jpg","alt":"Bike Leg - Challenge Cairns"},{"id":"490853","url":"https://live.staticflickr.com/2497/5822297355_8d7e498e47_b.jpg","thumbnail":"https://live.staticflickr.com/2497/5822297355_8d7e498e47.jpg","alt":"Bike Leg - Challenge Cairns"},{"id":"490854","url":"https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/50611406296_72ae91bbb1_b.jpg","thumbnail":"https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/50611406296_72ae91bbb1.jpg","alt":"Cairns Beach, Mossman, c.1940s-1960s"},{"id":"490855","url":"https://live.staticflickr.com/7877/46508449345_8b4fac4519_b.jpg","thumbnail":"https://live.staticflickr.com/7877/46508449345_8b4fac4519.jpg","alt":"IMG_4830 Marine Stingers at Yorkey's Knob"}]}}