Local’s guide to the Capricorn Coast
Best beach spots
Our favourite beaches around the Capricorn Coast
Just a short drive from Yeppoon main beach, this is a quiet bay with usually calm waters. There is also a huge tree in front of ‘The Villa on the Beach’, so plenty of natural shade.
8 habitants recommandent
Cooee Bay
Just a short drive from Yeppoon main beach, this is a quiet bay with usually calm waters. There is also a huge tree in front of ‘The Villa on the Beach’, so plenty of natural shade.
As Brits, we literally couldn’t believe it when we moved to Yeppoon and found that paradise was just a 30 minute boat ride away! White sand, crystal clear waters, snorkelling the Great Barrier Reef from the beach…Keppel (Wop-pa) is straight out of a dream.
There are a few options for spending time here, but all the boats leave from Rosslyn Bay, which is about a 12 minute drive from the unit. Keppel Konnections and Freedom Fast Cats are the two main companies, and both cost around $45 return. You can do a day trip (leaving about 9am, returning around 3.30pm) or stay overnight on the island. Accommodation options range from glamping to beach front cabins - check out GKI Hideaway and GKI holiday village.
Our favourite beach for chilling out is Putney Beach, and our favourite for snorkelling the reef is Shelving Beach.
You can rent kayaks, book scuba diving trips, do glass bottom boat tours, get boat drop offs to other beaches that’d take too long to walk to, and go on guided jet ski tours - have a look at Keppel Dive and Snorkel for more.
We’d also highly recommend the day trip with Keppel Explorer which allows you to see much more of the island group.
28 habitants recommandent
Great Keppel Island House Rentals
As Brits, we literally couldn’t believe it when we moved to Yeppoon and found that paradise was just a 30 minute boat ride away! White sand, crystal clear waters, snorkelling the Great Barrier Reef from the beach…Keppel (Wop-pa) is straight out of a dream.
There are a few options for spending time here, but all the boats leave from Rosslyn Bay, which is about a 12 minute drive from the unit. Keppel Konnections and Freedom Fast Cats are the two main companies, and both cost around $45 return. You can do a day trip (leaving about 9am, returning around 3.30pm) or stay overnight on the island. Accommodation options range from glamping to beach front cabins - check out GKI Hideaway and GKI holiday village.
Our favourite beach for chilling out is Putney Beach, and our favourite for snorkelling the reef is Shelving Beach.
You can rent kayaks, book scuba diving trips, do glass bottom boat tours, get boat drop offs to other beaches that’d take too long to walk to, and go on guided jet ski tours - have a look at Keppel Dive and Snorkel for more.
We’d also highly recommend the day trip with Keppel Explorer which allows you to see much more of the island group.
This is the beach you can see lots of from the Freeman Retreat! Sand for miles and usually hardly anyone else around. If you have a 4WD there’s access at Bangalee.
Farnborough Beach
This is the beach you can see lots of from the Freeman Retreat! Sand for miles and usually hardly anyone else around. If you have a 4WD there’s access at Bangalee.
This is a lovely beach. It isn’t the nicest on the Capricorn Coast - our favourite is probably Cooee Bay - and it doesn’t have much natural shade, but it’s the one closest to most of the cafes and shops.
7 habitants recommandent
Yeppoon Main Beach
Anzac ParadeThis is a lovely beach. It isn’t the nicest on the Capricorn Coast - our favourite is probably Cooee Bay - and it doesn’t have much natural shade, but it’s the one closest to most of the cafes and shops.
If you’d prefer to stay out of the ocean for your swimming, this place is perfect and it’s completely free. There’s showers, changing rooms and a cafe, as well as areas for very young kids to play in. There are lifeguards on duty too, and there’s a play park just behind.
40 habitants recommandent
Lagon de Yeppoon
3 Lagoon PlIf you’d prefer to stay out of the ocean for your swimming, this place is perfect and it’s completely free. There’s showers, changing rooms and a cafe, as well as areas for very young kids to play in. There are lifeguards on duty too, and there’s a play park just behind.
Fun activities
This is without a doubt the best way to see the Keppel Islands, especially if you can only spare a day. You see lots more of Great Keppel Island than you can on your own day trip as they go around the different beaches, and make stops at some of the other smaller islands too. You get lunch, snorkel gear, rashie etc included. We had the absolute best time doing this and would really recommend it!
It’s a small boat so can be a bit of a bumpy ride, and depending on where you’re sitting there’s no guaranteed shade - a hat (that will stay put on a fast moving boat) and good sunscreen are an absolute must.
Keppel Explorer
This is without a doubt the best way to see the Keppel Islands, especially if you can only spare a day. You see lots more of Great Keppel Island than you can on your own day trip as they go around the different beaches, and make stops at some of the other smaller islands too. You get lunch, snorkel gear, rashie etc included. We had the absolute best time doing this and would really recommend it!
It’s a small boat so can be a bit of a bumpy ride, and depending on where you’re sitting there’s no guaranteed shade - a hat (that will stay put on a fast moving boat) and good sunscreen are an absolute must.
As well as being a nice cafe and restaurant right on the beachfront, the club offers one hour discover sailing sessions at 9am and 10.30am every Sunday morning, which we’d highly recommend. If you’re here for longer you can do a two day course. Worth checking when they have regattas on as well.
16 habitants recommandent
Keppel Bay Sailing Club
1 Anzac ParadeAs well as being a nice cafe and restaurant right on the beachfront, the club offers one hour discover sailing sessions at 9am and 10.30am every Sunday morning, which we’d highly recommend. If you’re here for longer you can do a two day course. Worth checking when they have regattas on as well.
You can wander around and feed kangaroos and emus, and see all kinds of native Aussie animals. Make sure you’re there at 1pm when they do the free show and get your picture taken with a koala, holding a sugar glider, or with a snake wrapped around you.
23 habitants recommandent
Cooberrie Park Wildlife Sanctuary
9 Stones RdYou can wander around and feed kangaroos and emus, and see all kinds of native Aussie animals. Make sure you’re there at 1pm when they do the free show and get your picture taken with a koala, holding a sugar glider, or with a snake wrapped around you.
Definitely worth doing the cathedral tour, the acoustics are incredible. It’s very accessible, not a scramble or anything.
There’s also the option to do an adventure tour that looks very fun but not for those who don’t like enclosed spaces!
Make sure you go if you’re here during either solstice, as the light does some amazing things in the caves. There are also some opera performances at certain times of the year.
29 habitants recommandent
Grottes de Capricorn
30 Olsens Caves RdDefinitely worth doing the cathedral tour, the acoustics are incredible. It’s very accessible, not a scramble or anything.
There’s also the option to do an adventure tour that looks very fun but not for those who don’t like enclosed spaces!
Make sure you go if you’re here during either solstice, as the light does some amazing things in the caves. There are also some opera performances at certain times of the year.
The zoo is a must do if you go into Rocky. It’s in the beautiful botanic gardens, which are worth a visit on their own - don’t miss the tearoom among the trees or the lagoon.
The zoo is open every day apart from Christmas Day, and it’s free! It’s run by a great team who take in animals that wouldn’t survive in the wild - for example there’s a koala that lost an eye and an eagle that can’t fly very far after a wing injury. There are some absolutely adorable baby chimpanzees, and they offer animal encounters too - the meerkats are a favourite!
20 habitants recommandent
Rockhampton Zoo
100 Spencer StThe zoo is a must do if you go into Rocky. It’s in the beautiful botanic gardens, which are worth a visit on their own - don’t miss the tearoom among the trees or the lagoon.
The zoo is open every day apart from Christmas Day, and it’s free! It’s run by a great team who take in animals that wouldn’t survive in the wild - for example there’s a koala that lost an eye and an eagle that can’t fly very far after a wing injury. There are some absolutely adorable baby chimpanzees, and they offer animal encounters too - the meerkats are a favourite!
Lovely walks and views
One of our absolute favourite walks, with amazing views and even some turtle spotting opportunities at the top! We’d recommend doing the route anti clockwise, so going off to the right at the start. It’s a short (1.2km) but steep walk to the top. There’s parking and toilets at the bottom.
Bluff Point Walking Track
Bluff Point Walking TrackOne of our absolute favourite walks, with amazing views and even some turtle spotting opportunities at the top! We’d recommend doing the route anti clockwise, so going off to the right at the start. It’s a short (1.2km) but steep walk to the top. There’s parking and toilets at the bottom.
Not much of a walk here, just a quick stroll down and up, but a beautiful look out spot over Yeppoon and Lammermoor beaches.
16 habitants recommandent
Wreck Point Lookout
Matthew Flinders DriveNot much of a walk here, just a quick stroll down and up, but a beautiful look out spot over Yeppoon and Lammermoor beaches.
This national park starts about 20 minutes north of Yeppoon, and it’s absolutely beautiful. It’s best explored with a 4WD but it’s still definitely worth going if you only have a 2WD.
2WD highlights include:
Byfield General Store, which has a lovely cafe and is the only place to get fuel.
Nob Creek Pottery. Local and independent gallery and workshop where you can look at (and buy) jewellery, paintings, and of course pottery.
Sandy Point. This is part of the top end of Farnborough Beach, which you can see from the unit. You can take a 2WD along an unsealed track or drive along the beach from Bangalee in a 4WD. Beautiful beach as far as the eye can see, and not usually many people!
Water Park Creek. Drive along Waterpark Road which turns into Sandy Creek Road. Just before the road crosses the creek there’s places to park on the left, and then you can jump in and have a wonderful swim! It’s like something out of Jurassic Park. Drive a little further beyond the crossing to find a picnic spot, toilets, and some lovely walking tracks.
Upper Stony Creek. This place is STUNNING. It’s an unsealed track, so if you’re in a 2WD it will take a lot longer than you think and you need to check how the weather has been as parts of the track can get flooded. It can get quite busy here during school holidays as there’s a camping ground close by.
4WD highlights include Five Rocks, Nine Mile Beach, and Stockyard Point.
26 habitants recommandent
Byfield National Park
This national park starts about 20 minutes north of Yeppoon, and it’s absolutely beautiful. It’s best explored with a 4WD but it’s still definitely worth going if you only have a 2WD.
2WD highlights include:
Byfield General Store, which has a lovely cafe and is the only place to get fuel.
Nob Creek Pottery. Local and independent gallery and workshop where you can look at (and buy) jewellery, paintings, and of course pottery.
Sandy Point. This is part of the top end of Farnborough Beach, which you can see from the unit. You can take a 2WD along an unsealed track or drive along the beach from Bangalee in a 4WD. Beautiful beach as far as the eye can see, and not usually many people!
Water Park Creek. Drive along Waterpark Road which turns into Sandy Creek Road. Just before the road crosses the creek there’s places to park on the left, and then you can jump in and have a wonderful swim! It’s like something out of Jurassic Park. Drive a little further beyond the crossing to find a picnic spot, toilets, and some lovely walking tracks.
Upper Stony Creek. This place is STUNNING. It’s an unsealed track, so if you’re in a 2WD it will take a lot longer than you think and you need to check how the weather has been as parts of the track can get flooded. It can get quite busy here during school holidays as there’s a camping ground close by.
4WD highlights include Five Rocks, Nine Mile Beach, and Stockyard Point.
If you’re going to spend any time in Rockhampton, this is an absolutely gorgeous spot. You can drive the 5km up Pilbeam Drive and park at the top where there’s a short and flat tree top walking track called the Nurim Circuit, plus a play park and amphitheater with wonderful views. Alternatively, you can park at the bottom and walk up along the road, or take one of the longer bush walking tracks. There are great mountain bike trails at First Turkey too.
20 habitants recommandent
Mount Archer National Park
Pilbeam DriveIf you’re going to spend any time in Rockhampton, this is an absolutely gorgeous spot. You can drive the 5km up Pilbeam Drive and park at the top where there’s a short and flat tree top walking track called the Nurim Circuit, plus a play park and amphitheater with wonderful views. Alternatively, you can park at the bottom and walk up along the road, or take one of the longer bush walking tracks. There are great mountain bike trails at First Turkey too.
Our top local shops
This family owned wholefood shop is a great place to get locally sourced ingredients for cooking (they have great recipes too), different teas, little snack packs to take to the beach, homemade protein balls and more. Run by locals Dan and Liz, it’s a great place to visit during your stay.
Soltree Wholefoods
9 Normanby StreetThis family owned wholefood shop is a great place to get locally sourced ingredients for cooking (they have great recipes too), different teas, little snack packs to take to the beach, homemade protein balls and more. Run by locals Dan and Liz, it’s a great place to visit during your stay.
This locally owned boutique has lots of lovely coastal themed homeware, gifts, and clothing. Think art work, candles, cards, essential oils, jewellery, and accessories. The beautiful big coastal clock in the Freeman Retreat is from here, as are the large white prints on the stairs.
Beach Time Trading Co.
2 James StThis locally owned boutique has lots of lovely coastal themed homeware, gifts, and clothing. Think art work, candles, cards, essential oils, jewellery, and accessories. The beautiful big coastal clock in the Freeman Retreat is from here, as are the large white prints on the stairs.
Our favourite spots to eat and drink
Local independent business that serves delicious Mexican food and excellent cocktails.
7 habitants recommandent
The Citrus Club
16 Normanby StreetLocal independent business that serves delicious Mexican food and excellent cocktails.
Fresh seafood, local produce, lovely setting. There’s also a Sizzling Parrilla every Sunday, which you need to book for. This is a short drive from the unit, near the Keppel Bay Marina.
14 habitants recommandent
Beaches Restaurant
34 Vin E Jones Memorial DrFresh seafood, local produce, lovely setting. There’s also a Sizzling Parrilla every Sunday, which you need to book for. This is a short drive from the unit, near the Keppel Bay Marina.
Get a seat outside and you’re right on the marina - it’s a lovely spot. There’s often live music too.
18 habitants recommandent
The Waterline Restaurant, Keppel Bay Marina
1 Waterline WayGet a seat outside and you’re right on the marina - it’s a lovely spot. There’s often live music too.
Great coffee and lots of delicious breakfast options with good views of the beach and the islands. Excellent people watching spot! If you bring a bucket full of rubbish you’ve collected from the beach they’ll give you a free coffee.
17 habitants recommandent
Lure Living
14 Anzac ParadeGreat coffee and lots of delicious breakfast options with good views of the beach and the islands. Excellent people watching spot! If you bring a bucket full of rubbish you’ve collected from the beach they’ll give you a free coffee.
This place is now called CocoMo express, but it can’t be changed in the title for some reason.
This places does the best acai bowls we’ve ever had! Choc nutty with chunky granola is our favourite. There are also smoothies, salads, sushi, protein bowls - lots of tasty healthy options to choose from.
Pumped Juice Bar & Cafe
8 James StThis place is now called CocoMo express, but it can’t be changed in the title for some reason.
This places does the best acai bowls we’ve ever had! Choc nutty with chunky granola is our favourite. There are also smoothies, salads, sushi, protein bowls - lots of tasty healthy options to choose from.
Incredible views and delicious food! The chef will also do great vegetarian options but for some reason they aren’t on the menu.
The Rocks Yeppoon Bar + Restaurant
Incredible views and delicious food! The chef will also do great vegetarian options but for some reason they aren’t on the menu.
Sightseeing
This is over an hour’s drive from Yeppoon, but if you have the time it’s a very cute historical town with a great bakery. There’s an old mine, museums, and a beautiful dam with lovely walks and mountain bike tracks.
Mount Morgan
This is over an hour’s drive from Yeppoon, but if you have the time it’s a very cute historical town with a great bakery. There’s an old mine, museums, and a beautiful dam with lovely walks and mountain bike tracks.
This heritage listed building is our favourite in the region - absolutely beautiful! It’s part of the Rockhampton CBD Heritage Walk they takes in some of the city’s most attractive buildings. There’s a self guided audio app or you can download a map too - just head to the Explore Rockhampton website.
Immediately next door to Customs House is the new Rockhampton Museum of Art with family actives and lots of exhibitions.
Rockhampton Customs House
208 Quay StreetThis heritage listed building is our favourite in the region - absolutely beautiful! It’s part of the Rockhampton CBD Heritage Walk they takes in some of the city’s most attractive buildings. There’s a self guided audio app or you can download a map too - just head to the Explore Rockhampton website.
Immediately next door to Customs House is the new Rockhampton Museum of Art with family actives and lots of exhibitions.