Summary
If you are acquainted with the township of Yeppoon on Queensland’s Capricorn Coast and have not visited for an extended period, you may be astonished by the current developments. After enduring substantial damage from Cyclone Marcia in 2015, Yeppoon’s foreshore has undergone a complete transformation, featuring parks, picnic areas, an exceptional water playground for children, and a state-of-the-art infinity pool.
Along Anzac Parade, modern apartment complexes are complemented by an extensive array of shops, cafes, and restaurants. Yeppoon serves as a gateway to the Southern Great Barrier Reef and the stunning Keppel Islands, with remnants of volcanic landforms from approximately 70 million years ago adorning the local landscape.
1. Great Keppel Island
Located in close proximity to Yeppoon, Great Keppel Island is one of the premier island getaways within the Southern Great Barrier Reef. This is the largest among the 18 islands in the Keppel group and aligns perfectly with the conventional notion of a tropical paradise.
Great Keppel Island features rugged, forest-covered terrain that abruptly ascends from the coastline, encompassing slightly over 1,300 hectares. Remarkably, there exists ample space for 17 of the most captivating white sandy beaches, all embraced by crystal-clear waters ideal for swimming, snorkeling, kayaking, and scuba diving.
Visitors can explore the island via a network of walking tracks, guiding them through tropical forests inhabited by vibrant rainbow lorikeets, kookaburras, possums, and blue-tongue lizards. The ferry from Yeppoon completes the journey in no more than 30 minutes, depositing you directly onto the pristine sands of Fisherman Beach.
2. Yeppoon Foreshore
In celebration of Yeppoon’s 150th anniversary, the foreshore has recently undergone comprehensive revitalization, facilitated by nearly $30 million in investment. This effort was partly a reaction to the aftermath of Cyclone Marcia in 2015, resulting in the town being connected to the water through parkland, characterized by lush and accessible landscaping, ongoing vistas of Keppel Bay, playgrounds, a skate park, boardwalks, promenades, and dining venues.
The focal point is the Yeppoon Lagoon, discussed in detail below, alongside a newly constructed amphitheater for outdoor performances along the beach. You could rise early to witness the sun rising behind the islands and dedicate an entire day in this verdant sanctuary.
3. Yeppoon Lagoon
Few towns can boast a public outdoor pool equipped with a swim-up infinity edge. Moreover, this pool offers uninterrupted views across the Keppel Islands. Opened in 2018, the Yeppoon Lagoon stands as the primary attraction of the foreshore precinct, accommodating visitors of all ages.
The pool features a safe shallow area for children and a section designated for lap swimmers, with the option to seek shade beneath Pandanus palms for picnicking. The pool’s flowing design draws inspiration from the patterns of sand drifts on shallow beaches, resembling a feature typically found at a luxury resort.
4. Keppel Kraken
Another impressive feature that lends an air of exclusivity is the water playground bordering the shore along Anzac Parade. The zero-depth Keppel Kraken boasts numerous interactive elements, such as jets, water cannons, and fountains, alongside Queensland’s unique umbrella bucket.
These vibrant features are adorned in indigenous designs and center around a tentacle of a mythical sea creature emerging from the ground. Surrounding the Keppel Kraken are wooden decks and custom-designed picnic tables nestled beneath swaying palms.
5. Cooberrie Wildlife Sanctuary
For a delightful and educational family excursion, this nearby wildlife attraction provides a wide range of hands-on animal experiences. Operating entirely on donations, Cooberrie Wildlife Sanctuary cares for sick, injured, and orphaned animals, housing many residents that cannot be safely returned to their natural habitat.
Here, visitors can hand-feed kangaroos and emus, cuddle a koala, let a macaw perch on their hand, and interact with playful monkeys. For the more adventurous visitors, opportunities exist to hold snakes, baby crocodiles, and lizards. Numerous experiences are incorporated into the daily animal show at 1:00 PM, and for an additional fee, special VIP encounter packages and a junior zookeeper program are available. The sanctuary also includes an on-site swimming pool, paddling facilities, and barbecue areas as part of the entry fee.
6. Capricorn Coast National Park
This protected area encompasses five distinct sections, all within a half-hour drive of Yeppoon. The Capricorn Coast National Park exhibits a fascinating contrast of habitats, including steep volcanic outcrops, beaches, mangroves, eucalyptus forests, tussock grasslands, and dry rainforests.
Within this reserve, a remarkable trachyte plug can be found at the Bluff Point day use area, which will be explored further in the next section. Closer to Yeppoon are the twin outcrops of Double Head, which can be accessed via a sealed walking track. The Fan Rock Lookout provides an up-close view of a basalt cliff adorned with radiating geometric patterns, framed by vistas of the Keppel Islands.
7. Bluff Point Walking Track
A cherished part of the Capricorn Coast National Park is the Bluff Point section, where the rugged headland provides spectacular views of the Keppel Islands, the coastline, and the hinterland of Yeppoon. Bluff Point is the largest trachyte plug on the Capricorn Coast and hosts a diverse array of vegetation, ranging from eucalyptus forests to heathland.
The Bluff Point Walking Track winds around the summit, leading visitors to various lookouts furnished with picnic tables and barbecues. Among these, the lofty Turtle Lookout is particularly memorable, offering a chance to survey the Keppel Group and perhaps spot sea turtles at the base of the cliffs.
8. Wreck Point Scenic Lookout
Located just five minutes from Cooee Bay, Wreck Point offers an excellent viewpoint atop a headland, providing expansive views of Keppel Bay and the Capricorn Coast. The name ‘Wreck Point’ is derived from a maritime enigma; here, in 1848, the transport schooner Selina was found abandoned and waterlogged, devoid of its crew and mast.
Fifteen months prior, the vessel had departed from the Pine River, heading for Sydney, but it was not sighted again until it came ashore at this location. The fate of the crew remains unknown, but a 1950s expert concluded that the Selina capsized in a storm, subsequently righting itself before being carried by currents toward New Zealand and eventually returning to the Capricorn Coast over several months. At Wreck Point, you will find a scenic trail along with an interpretive panel recounting Selina’s story and a poignant sculpture depicting a shipwreck.
9. Yeppoon Main Beach
With a wealth of attractions along the foreshore, it is easy to overlook the beach itself, particularly during high tide when the sea completely covers the sand. At other times, especially at dawn, it serves as an enchanting setting for a stroll while gazing out at the islands within Keppel Bay.
The sand is firm and ideal for walking, and dogs are permitted as long as they are leashed. Given that winter daily highs often exceed 20°C, you might find the beach relatively uncrowded if you visit between May and August. The Yeppoon Surf Lifesaving Club is located toward the northern end and provides patrols of the beach on weekends and public holidays.
10. Freedom Fast Cat Cruises
The primary departure point for excursions to the Keppel Islands is Keppel Bay Marina, situated beneath Double Head at Rosslyn Bay. There, one may embark on a cruise, sailing trip, fishing charter, or simply catch a ferry to Great Keppel Island.
The primary ferry operator is Freedom Fast Cat Cruises, which offers services in the morning and returns from Great Keppel Island in the afternoon, along with an earlier “early bird” transfer. To enhance your Keppel Island experience, the company provides a comprehensive timetable of cruises.
A broad selection of options is available, including an informative glass-bottom boat tour, snorkeling tour, and an “adventure tour,” featuring boom netting.
11. Shell World
This charming museum, located in Merv Anderson Park, houses an impressive collection of over 20,000 shells belonging to mollusks from the sea and land, as well as fossils. Shell World is surprisingly educational, meticulously categorizing all its specimens.
The collection has been compiled from across the globe and highlights the extraordinary natural diversity present offshore at the Great Barrier Reef. Additionally, coral samples and playful examples of arts and crafts utilizing shells can be found here. For those looking to enhance their own shell collections, shells and related craft items are available for purchase.
12. Capricorn Caves
Located inland, just a half-hour drive away, lies a limestone cave system that has welcomed visitors since 1884, making Capricorn Caves one of Queensland’s oldest tourist attractions. The principal tour, departing hourly from 9:00 AM to 4:00 PM, guides visitors on a one-kilometer trek through the caves, allowing them to observe their astonishing dimensions, unusual formations, the roots of fig trees, and possibly the insectivorous bats inhabiting the area.
The highlight of the experience is the nave-like Cathedral Cave, which has been fitted with pews and boasts remarkable acoustics. For those adventurous spirits, the Capricorn Explorer and more complex Capricorn Adventurer tours lead participants to chambers beyond the main tour, offering a unique caving experience in darkened passages.
13. Emu Park
The quaint coastal village of Emu Park is merely a short drive south of Yeppoon and was developed at the turn of the century as a prestigious resort area. At that time, Emu Park was connected to both Yeppoon and Rockhampton via railway.
Today, visitors can enjoy meandering along the foreshore, which comprises a series of parks filled with picnic areas and children’s playgrounds (Kerr Park boasts the best playground). The main beach to the south features a slender curve of white sand, bordered by palms and caressed by gentle waves.
The waterfront has recently been enhanced, showcasing the Centenary of ANZAC Memorial, which consists of a sandstone cenotaph and plinths, a boardwalk, viewing platform, and representations of Australian soldiers. Furthermore, you will find yourself within easy reach of the town’s cafes, bars, and fish & chip shops.
14. Singing Ship
Overlooking the Centenary of ANZAC Memorial Boardwalk is Emu Park’s iconic monument, which honors Captain James Cook. In 1770, during his first voyage of discovery aboard the HMS Endeavour, Cook became the first European to chart Keppel Bay.
This public artwork is ideally situated on a scenic rise above the cobalt blue sea, with the silhouette of Great Keppel Island visible on the eastern horizon. The monument evokes the HMS Endeavour, featuring a sail, mast, and rigging, with its name derived from integrated tubes that produce melodic notes in the wind. Aim to visit on a windy day to witness the Singing Ship in full performance.
15. Baga National Park
Just ten minutes into Yeppoon’s hinterland, a steep trachyte plug interrupts the plain, representing the remnants of an extinct volcano. The peak of Mount Baga rises 221 meters above sea level and features a treacherous surface of loose shale beneath a layer of dry rainforest on the lower slopes and hoop pines on the upper elevations.
This geological formation holds significant cultural importance for the Aboriginal Darumbal people, embedded in their dreamtime narratives. While summiting is generally discouraged, many hikers undertake the challenge. If you plan to ascend, ensure you are an experienced hiker in good physical condition, equipped with proper footwear. The effort will reward you with exceptional views over the coastal plain, adorned with similar trachyte formations.
