Oiled Qld beaches to open before weekend

People are being warned to stay away from stray oil clumps as authorities prepare to reopen north Queensland beaches after a spill.

A clean-up has been underway since Saturday to remove the patches, some the size of dinner plates, off beaches near Ingham and on Hinchinbrook and Palm Islands.

"We will be opening the beaches most likely tomorrow morning," Maritime Safety Queensland's regional harbour master Frank D'Souza said on Thursday.