Posts Tagged ‘Rocky Headland’
Yorkeys Knob is Cairns’ best beach holiday location. Named after the rocky headland, which is its most prominent feature, this beachside community has a long, wide beach, lined with tropical palm trees. The suburb is completely self-contained; you don’t have to leave its confines to have a relaxing, indulgent seaside escape.
Unlike most other Cairns beaches, Yorkeys Knob has retained its authentic character. Favoured by locals, you will not find the usual array of cheap tourist traps in Yorkeys Knob. What you will find are friendly residents, beachside gardens complete with playgrounds and BBQs, an amazing beach, overlooking the Coral Sea and Great Barrier Reef, restaurants, cafes, a shopping centre, boat club, golf course, hair dresser and post office.
You may be surprised at the quality of dining available at Yorkeys Knob restaurants. Undoubtedly the biggest venue is the Yorkeys Knob Boating Club, which has the only undercover, outdoor deck overlooking the Coral Sea in Cairns. This provides the perfect place to relax at the end of another day in paradise and enjoy a quiet drink, as you watch the sun set. Capable of seating 1,000, the Boat Club serves breakfast, lunch and dinner and is open seven days a week. It has EFTPOS, pokies, keno, a children’s playground, pool table and indoor and outdoor dining. There is also a courtesy coach service.
Krokodillos, on Varley Street, is renowned for its friendly hosts, fantastic menu and specials. Perfect for relaxed tropical dining or a romantic meal, Krokodillos has an excellent beer, wine and kroktail menu, serving it up seven nights a week for Yorkeys Knob restaurant and catering needs.
Fancy a round of golf? Half Moon Bay Golf Course is a tight par 70, all weather course overlooking the Coral Sea, with a backdrop of towering, rainforest covered mountains. The club is membership based, but visitors are always welcome.
Cruising into Cairns? Moor your boat at Yorkeys Knob Half Moon Bay Marina. Right next to Yorkeys Knob Boating Club and arguably the heart of this beachside suburb, Half Moon Bay Marina has 200 berths available for weekly, monthly and yearly rental. Ranging from 10-30m in size, the berths are supplied water and power through Comsen units at this pontoon-style marina.
Not enough action for you? Yorkeys Knob is Cairns’ kite surfing destination! Between April and November, Yorkeys Knob beach receives strong south-east trade winds, bringing the boys (and girls!) out to play with their boards and sails. If you have never tried it before, kite surfing is the ultimate water sport and local instructor Chris Rose, provides Yorkeys Knob kite surfing lessons through his Kite Rite business.
Yorkeys Knob holiday accommodation is available for all budgets and tastes. From tropical resorts nestled amongst lush gardens, to absolute beachfront Yorkeys Knob holiday apartments, self-contained with everything you need for the perfect beachside escape.
Often known as Straddie by the locals, North Stradbroke Island is the travel brochure beach holiday. Just 30 km (19 miles) southeast of Brisbane and the Gold Coast, it languishes at the southern end of Moreton Bay. At 30 km (19 mile) long, it is one of the worlds grandest, offering pristine beaches, a ragged coastline and inland freshwater lakes.
It lost its original name of Minijerribah in 1827, when Captain H. J. Rous, or Viscount Dunwich, Commander of the HMS Rainbow, named the isle after his father the Earl of Stradbroke, the main town after his own title, and Rainbow Beach after his vessel.
A cluster of three picturesque villages — Dunwich, Amity Point and Point Lookout — act as pleasant bases for many of the islands local and international visitors.
Dunwich was once a prison colony and quarantine station, and, as is often the case, its cemetery is a telling record of the islands interesting past. At Point Lookout, the aptly named Whale Rock is the best spot from which to scan the vast oceans in search of migrating humpback whales, dolphins and turtles.
In the 1960s, sand mining operations began to change on the fragile island eco-system, but by the 1990s environmental issues came to the fore and half of the island became a national park. Mining is still very active on the island, but mainly away in the restricted southern end.
Point Lookout on the eastern surf side of the island is a natural draw-card. Spreading across Straddies single rocky headland it overlooks a chain of bleached beaches. The western side enjoys the calmer waters of the bay and is safer for boating. The island is famous for its angling — with the annual Straddie Classic every August being one of Australias richest and best-known fishing contests.
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