Lying within reach of the Capricorn Coast is the tropical island paradise of Great Keppel Island. The largest of the Keppel Island group at 1,454 ha, Great Keppel Island is just a 45 minute drive from Rockhampton and a 30 minute ferry ride from Keppel Bay Marina in the town of Yeppoon.

Visitors to Great Keppel Island will step ashore to unspoilt bushland surrounded by 17 pristine, white sand beaches, private coves, and pockets of fringing reef. Sometimes referred to as “Woppaburra” after the Aboriginal people who originally lived on the island, the name translates as “resting place”.
 

The island’s crystal clear tropical waters are teaming with brilliantly coloured fish, other marine life and corals. The best snorkelling spots are Shelving Beach, Monkey Point, and Clam Bay, all within easy walking. Keppel Dive Shop offers dive trips to a variety of excellent sites around Great Keppel Island and to neighbouring islands. Day cruises offer you a choice of lunch, snorkelling, boomnetting, glass bottom boat viewing, and a trip to the Underwater Observatory off Middle Island. Kayak and motorised canoe trips are available for a more up close and personal snorkelling experience. And plenty of walking tracks are available to explore the interior and surrounding beaches of the island for those who like to get out on their own.

There is an array of accommodation on the island to choose from to suit different needs.

Great Keppel Island Holiday Village, known as “The Quiet Alternative” caters mainly for couples and single travellers wishing to experience the naturalness of the island. The Village also has holiday houses for family accommodation.

Keppel Haven offers cabin and safari tents, a licensed bar, café and beach shed. Keppel Lodge offers house-style accommodation with all bedrooms featuring an en-suite.

So come along and enjoy this island paradise.

Content courtesy of GKI Holiday Village

Location: 55 km north-east of Rockhampton, 15 km east of Rosslyn Bay, 695 km north of Brisbane.

Access: There are boats from Keppel Bay Marina at Rosslyn Bay near Yeppoon, with a bus connections to Rockhampton airport. There are also flights from Rockhampton.

Population: approximately 700 guests and residents for the entire island.

Check out our listing of Great Keppel Island accommodation. In addition to our listed online travel guide information, contact the local tourism visitor centre for your destination for more attractions, tours, local maps and other information.