Your ultimate guide to Great Keppel Island

With 17 white sandy beaches, abundant wildlife and clear tropical waters over sprawling coral reefs, Great Keppel Island is one of Queensland’s most under-rated island getaways.

A plethora of activities await on the low-key, barefoot paradise of Great Keppel Island. Hang with a crowd or get away from it all to peaceful coves and sheltered bays surrounded by the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park.

As one of the one the most affordable islands to visit on the Great Barrier Reef, you can swim, snorkel, dive and more in what are arguably some of Australia’s best beaches. It’s not all ocean-based fun though, with incredible bushwalks and birdwatching available on land.

Enjoy the view from land or sea. (Image: TEQ)

Great Keppel (Wop-pa in the language of the Kanomi-Woppaburra people) is a diverse and diverting place to stay for all ages, a truly beautiful escape from the rest of the world.

How to get to Great Keppel Island

Fly into the region with direct flights from Brisbane, Sunshine Coast, Melbourne, Cairns, and Townsville to Rockhampton Airport. Then it’s just a shuttle bus to Yeppoon where ferries depart regularly from Keppel Bay Marina and Pier One at Rosslyn Bay.

Within 30 minutes, you’ll feel the sand between your toes on Great Keppel Island and instantly relax. Go barefoot – there’s no jetty on the island, so your first step off the ferry will be onto the sand (don’t worry, there are helping hands to help you disembark). Day tours also run from Rosslyn Bay for those who are short of time.

Getting to Great Keppel Island is easy, getting around once you’ve arrived is even easier.

Great Keppel Island accommodation

There’s no problem finding somewhere to stay on Great Keppel, with accommodation to suit all budgets and tastes. Pitch a tent, or stay in a cabin, a motel-style room or a private beach house.

There are two major accommodation providers, Great Keppel Island Holiday Village and Great Keppel Island Hideaway. Both are low-key, relaxed and close to the beach. Great Keppel Island Holiday Village is self-catering, but Great Keppel Island Hideaway has a bar and bistro, sometimes with live music or other entertainment.

Enjoy incredible views from Great Keppel Island Hideaway’s Beachfront Cabins.

Things to do on Great Keppel Island

Walk off the beach and snorkel the reef. It’s that easy on Great Keppel. And you’ve got 17 beaches to choose from. Among the best snorkelling spots are Shelving Beach, Monkey Beach and Clam Bay, where you’ll be amazed at the rich array of turtles, corals and other marine life. You might even spot a dolphin or dugong.

As well as an array of water sports offered by Keppel Dive & Snorkel (think stand-up paddleboarding, kayaking and more), there is a network of hiking trails to explore. Keen fishermen can cast a line straight off the beach (but be aware there are no-fishing zones, so check your location first).

Or, of course, you could do nothing at all. Great Keppel’s that kind of place too. Hammock, anyone?

Head to Keppel Dive & Snorkel for underwater adventures. (Image: TEQ)

Great Keppel Island tours

Getting onto the water is easy on Great Keppel Island. Full-day and half-day cruises depart from Yeppoon, or try a sailing adventure. If you’re looking for tranquillity, take a guided kayak tour along Leekes Creek or hire one and go it alone.

Diving and snorkelling tours – or drop-offs to explore the reef on your own (for certified divers) – open up the underwater wonders of the southern Great Barrier Reef. Introductory dives are also available.

For those who don’t want to get wet, Freedom Fast Cats runs glass-bottom boat tours as well as a range of other cruises. Whale-watching tours are offered in season (July – September) when you can see the majestic Humpback whales on their migratory path along the Queensland coast.

Go snorkelling or diving with providers like Keppel Explorer and Keppel Dive and Snorkel. (Image: TEQ)

Great Keppel Island history

When British explorer Captain James Cook sailed past the island in 1770, the islands of Keppel Bay had been home to the Kanomi-Woppaburra people of the Darumbal nation for around 5000 years. Ancient shell middens can still be found on the island, a reminder of the abundant seafood they harvested from the ocean.

Captain Cook named the bay for his boss, Rear Admiral Augustus Keppel, but it was not until the 1860s that European settlers moved onto the island.

On the northern side of the island, you can walk to the 1920s homestead occupied by the Leeke family still stands. Now heritage-listed, the tin house overlooks the tidal mangroves and Leeke’s Beach. If you’re particularly energetic and have a day to spare, hike the 15km round-trip to the island’s lighthouse at Bald Rock Point.

Explore the islands walking trails.

Great Keppel Island’s natural wonders

For an introduction to what you might see in the waters surrounding Great Keppel, follow the short GKI Sea Way Trail which starts on the lawns overlooking The Spit at Fisherman’s Beach.

The boardwalk winds through Great Keppel Island Hideaway’s grounds and features 15 colourful information panels, each one in the shape of a marine animal. The trail is an initiative of the Keppel Turtle Fund, a local charity focused on education, appreciation, protection, and rehabilitation of the marine environment.

Take in the sunset on an island walk.

Sea turtles breed and feed around the island. From November to March, you might be lucky enough to spot a nesting turtle or hatchlings heading to the sea to start their life’s journey.

On land, you won’t wait long to encounter some of the island’s incredible wildlife, including echidnas, goannas, blue-tongue lizards, possums and a rich array of birdlife. More than 100 species of birds live here, including kookaburras, rainbow lorikeets, sea eagles, curlews, honeyeaters and more.

Go hiking or just stay still and let the wildlife come to you. (Image: TEQ)

Discover the heritage heart of Central Queensland with a stay in sunny Rockhampton

Rockhampton is a regional city bursting with history, fresh produce markets and green spaces. It’s the perfect base to explore the Capricorn region, with its quaint beach towns and verdant national parks. Whether you’re looking for a laid-back hotel or a holiday apartment to call home for a while, here are the best accommodation options in Rockhampton.

Serviced Apartments

If you’d like to feel at home during your stay in Rockhampton, opt for one of these stylish serviced apartments. You’ll be able to cook up a feast in your own kitchen with fresh ingredients from Rockhampton’s markets or chill out on your balcony in the evening with a beverage. Here, we’ve rounded up the best apartment accommodation in Rockhampton.

1. Empire Rockhampton

Bed down in Central Queensland’s most awarded hotel.

Standing grand beside the Fitzroy River, Empire Rockhampton is the newest and largest apartment hotel on Rockhampton’s riverfront. With water views, sleek interior design and a rooftop pool, it’s no surprise that Empire is Central Queensland’s most awarded hotel. Rooms range from one-bedroom apartments to three-bedroom suites, making for the perfect base for couples or families, large and small.

2. Quest Rockhampton

Nestle into your own apartment overlooking the Fitzroy River at Quest Rockhampton. Bed down in a cosy studio, or spread out in a spacious executive apartment where you’ll have your own balcony to admire the views over the river and the distant Berserker Mountain Range. Just add a bottle of wine, and your evening plans are complete.

3. The Edge Rockhampton

Enjoy dazzling river views from your room.

Enjoy comfort, convenience and simplicity at The Edge Rockhampton. Also located by the Fitzroy River, spacious rooms await. If you want to keep up your fitness routine without facing the Rockhampton heat, there’s an onsite gym with gorgeous river views as well as a plunge pool where you can cool off.

Hotels and Motels

Rockhampton is the heritage heart of Queensland. Whether you prefer a historic hotel with character or a stylish modern establishment, there is a hotel or motel to suit every style of traveller. Here’s are our picks for the best hotel accommodation in Rockhampton.

1. The Criterion Hotel Motel

The Criterion Hotel has been sitting pretty by the Fitzroy River since 1889. If you opt to stay here, you’ll be walking through some of the same rooms that have played host to guests such as Queen Elizabeth II and the Duchess of Gloucester. Simple yet cosy pub-style accommodation awaits, with a great bistro on the ground floor should you find yourself feeling peckish. If you’ve got a penchant for a hotel with character, the Criterion Hotel might just be for you.

2. Denison Boutique Hotel

Opt for a romantic getaway at the Denison Boutique Hotel.

The Denison blends modern comfort with authentic heritage charm, offering quaint rooms that exude romance. Dating back to 1885, the hotel retains many of its original features, including the classic iron-lace verandah. You’ll find the rooms furnished with antique-style pieces like four-poster beds, love seats and a two-person spa. If you’re looking for a romantic escape, the Dension will certainly fit the bill.

3. Mercure Rockhampton

Cosy up at the Mercure, where you can enjoy splendid river views.

Enjoy sleek, modern design at this iconic hotel chain in the historic centre of Rockhampton. The Mercure is located by the river, so you can opt for a room with a view. There’s a pool and a fitness centre, so you can enjoy a little bit of ‘you’ time while you’re at a home away from home.

4. True Blue Motor Inn

Motels are a staple of Aussie road trips. And True Blue Motor Inn encapsulates that Aussie spirit in more ways than just its name. Here, you’ll find comfortable, affordable accommodation that’s no-frills yet friendly and loaded with amenities. The motel offers hearty breakfasts and optional packed lunches, as well as a swimming pool and a spa.

5. Heritage Hotel

The walls of the Heritage Hotel sing with history. The 1900s Federation-era building is a gem of Rockhampton’s heritage architecture trail on Quay Street, with balconies framed by a lattice of iron lace. The heritage hotel offers simple and affordable accommodation with comfort and character to boot. Bed down in one of Rockhampton’s historic buildings, located in the heart of the city.

Airbnbs and Holiday Rentals

Feel like a true local with an Airbnb or holiday rental. We’ve rounded up the best Rockhampton accommodation if you’re after a stay that will get you feeling right at home.

1. Liberty Cottage

Kick back on this spacious deck at Liberty Cottage.

Dressed in modern white, this cosy cottage sports a chic design and personal touches that evoke the building’s heritage character. Here, you’ll be cosseted in the leafy suburb of Allenstown, with Rockhampton Botanical Gardens located just a stone’s throw away.

There’s a beautiful collection of Australian artwork hand-picked by your hosts, guaranteed to make you feel right at home. If that didn’t seal the deal, a timber verandah peppered with pot plants is the perfect spot to wind down.

2. View on Wiseman

Soak up gorgeous views at View on Wiseman.

Crisp white decor and oaken furniture characterise this beautiful three-bedroom house. Here, you’ll be within walking distance of Rockhampton’s Botanical Gardens, sequestered in a leafy and green neighbourhood. The highlight is the undercover porch, set up with elegant lounges and a gorgeous view of the mountains.

Campgrounds and Caravan Parks

Campgrounds and caravan parks are often budget-friendly, well-located and packed with amenities. What’s not to love? Whether you’re parking up an RV, pitching a tent, or kicking back in a cabin, here’s the best campground accommodation in Rockhampton.

1. Discovery Parks Rockhampton

Exterior view of the cabins at Discovery Parks Rockhampton

Cosy and comfortable cabins await at Discovery Parks Rockhampton. (Image: Supplied)

Discovery Parks is located a short drive from Rockhampton’s CBD, close to plenty of shops and restaurants. Kids will have plenty to keep themselves entertained with a playground, water park and swimming pool and bouncy pillow onsite. If you don’t have an RV, there’s a range of cabins that sleep between two and eight people — perfect for families of any size.

2. Riverside Tourist Park

This peaceful campground is located on five acres beside the Fitzroy River, giving you plenty of space to spread out and soak up the Rockhampton sun. Here, you can park up right on the water’s edge beneath the shade of luscious palm trees, or opt for a cosy cabin that sleeps up to 6 people.

Heading to Rockhampton? Check out our guide on the best places to eat and things to do while you’re in town.