Top Towns for 2022: 8 hidden gems to discover in Yeppoon

Steeped in unspoilt natural beauty and boasting old-school holiday vibes with smart options for eating, staying and playing, and not to mention a thriving arts scene, this burgeoning cultural hub is in a sweet spot. It is also sitting pretty at no. 45 in your pick of the Top 50 Aussie Towns. Here, we explore the best of Yeppoon.

Find the complete list of the Top 50 Aussie Towns here.

The new Byron Bay. It’s a phrase rolled out often as holidaymakers and sea changers continue their quest to find the perfect under-the-radar spot that hasn’t yet peaked to roll out their towel or take out a mortgage – ideally a place that blends all that Byron-esque beauty and beaches for days with a laid-back lifestyle to sink right into and just enough quirk, personality and creativity around town to keep things interesting. Plus a spot or two to get good coffee.

One of the latest recipients of this moniker, Yeppoon does indeed tick all the above boxes. Located on Queensland’s Capricorn Coast at the gateway to the Southern Great Barrier Reef and 25 minutes’ drive from the lush Byfield rainforests (pictured above), Yeppoon is a hidden gem in an area of breathtaking natural beauty.

“Yeppoon is a friendly, small town where the community engage with each other and tourists are welcomed," says Kylie Thomasson who runs Surfside Motel with her husband Trevor.

4WD to nearby Byfield National Park. (Image: Tourism Events Queensland)

1. Soak up the views in Yeppoon Lagoon

Among its most immediate merits for both locals and visitors are the Yeppoon Lagoon, a 2500-square-metre resort-style lagoon pool located on the beachfront complete with swim-up infinity edge offering views over the Keppel Islands, and the nearby Keppel Kraken water-play park that could keep families with young kids diverted for days.

Swimming in Yeppoon Lagoon sunset — The sub-tropical climate in Yeppoon makes it a great year-round destination. (Image: Tourism Events Queensland)

2. Island hop off Yeppoon

Those islands you can see from the foreshore? A quick ferry ride will land you at Great Keppel Island, dishing up tropical getaway vibes with its 17 squeaky-clean white-sand beaches, hinterland hikes and castaway-style cabins at Great Keppel Island Hideaway. A similarly short skip over the seas, Pumpkin Island is a tiny six-hectare gem that offers a unique eco retreat for up to 34 people at a time.

Pumpkin Island near Yeppoon — Soak up the sun on Pumpkin Island. (Image: Tourism & Events Queensland)

3. Explore Yeppoon’s great outdoors

“There are lots of sport teams, yoga and Pilates on the beach, walking groups and regular fun runs, with the Yeppoon Running Festival one of the highlights for many serious runners," says Kylie on more of her town’s merits.

“The scenic drive down to Emu Park is a must-do as well as the ANZAC Memorial Walk [once there]. And the Bluff Point Walking Track is a great lookout to spot turtles and whales from."

Views of the the Capricorn Coast. — Looking out over the Capricorn Coast. (Image: Tourism & Events Queensland)

4. Hit the shops

Yeppoon effortlessly blends a small-town holiday vibe with city-grade dining and shopping and a thriving artistic community, Kylie says, citing among her picks of places to check out: Paint Pot Gallery and gift shop, with its collective of local artists, potters and crafters; Stir & Stitch, with its teahouse and range of cooking, sewing and creative workshops; Driftwood Boutique, with its Moroccan-inspired homewares; Coastal Funk, with locally made products including its range of handmade Capricorn Coast Collection candles to take home as souvenirs.

5. Follow the street art mural trail

Another must-do while in town is to explore the street art murals that showcase the region (combine your mural-spotting with a coffee at Two Sisters Coffee Bar and later, a wine at VUE Wine Bar & Restaurant) and the beachfront Jet James Art Gallery, where the eponymous artist and printmaker creates unique artworks and designer gifts that reflect his surrounds.

Get creative at Jet James Art Gallery. (Image: Tourism & Events Queensland)

6. Stay at the Surfside Motel

The sweet spot Yeppoon finds itself in right now might be best epitomised by the Surfside Motel, which owners Trevor and Kylie purchased 15 years ago.

“At the time it had bright green walls, gravel driveways and a busted vibe. Having over 30 years of experience in the building and design industry, and after an unplanned hailstorm event in April 2020, the epic refurb challenge was on.

“With an emphasis on keeping that old motel vibe, it was time to switch the lime green out for a neutral white linear board and ditch the gravel for beautiful timber sleeper driveways," Kylie says.

“The nostalgic holiday feel is sustained with a sitting area, beachside enclosed by breezeblocks and the old-style drive-up-to-your-door parking arrangement. As a part of the project, the pool area was completely refurbished and is now surrounded by new polished concrete, an outdoor shower and beautiful lush grass. The pool area is a summer paradise, perfect for a touch of sun and a beer or two."

Surfside Motel Yeppoon — The darling Surfside Motel. (Image: Nathan White Images)

7. Sleep at the Surf House

Recently acquired and available to be booked is the Surf House, right next door to Surfside, which rocks a 1960s vibe and boasts a vast lounge with views out to the Keppel Islands. Although not yet wholly renovated, watch this space, says Kylie. And, upon arrival, Trevor, Kylie and staff will happily share their local knowledge of the Capricorn Coast.

8. Steer a 4WD to the beach

“Some of the most beautiful, untouched coastline is a quick 4WD-only drive away at Five Rocks, Stockyard Point and Nine Mile Beach."

And unlike Byron, you might just get a beach to yourself.

View of Yeppoon — Yeppoon is a town encased by nature.

Explore more of Central Queensland in our travel guide or find out which other towns made it into your Top 50.

Under wide-open outback skies, discover a fossicking gem that’s managed to slip under the radar.

While the name Clermont may feel new to even the most intrepid traveller, its gilded history stretches back centuries. You’ll find it just off the highway, humming quietly under the hazy veil of Queensland’s outback sun. It’s here, hemmed in by mountains and perched atop soil heavy with the earth’s treasures, that one of Australia’s most accessible outback adventures awaits.

Thanks to deposits of gold, copper and gemstones – souvenirs left by exploding supernovas and the heave of tectonic plates – Clermont became a centre point of Queensland’s Gold Rush. And now? Australia’s fossicking capital is yours to discover.

Getting there

car driving along Capricorn Way in queensland — Take a drive through Queensland’s Mackay Isaac region. (Image: Sean Scott/ TEQ)

You’ll find Clermont in Queensland’s Mackay Isaac region. To get here, it’s an easy three-hour drive over sealed roads from Mackay. Or, if you’re heading from the Sapphire Fields of Emerald, the drive will carve out just over an hour from your day.

Whether you’re road-tripping through outback Queensland or just tracing your way through all that Australia has to offer, Clermont is remote but easily accessible.

Best accommodation in Clermont

Theresa CreekDam in clermont — Camp by Theresa Creek Dam. (Image: Riptide Creative/ TEQ)

All accommodation comes with a generous helping of country hospitality here. The choice is yours between modern hotels, parking up the camper or pitching a tent.

Theresa Creek Dam lies just outside town. Begin each day with crisp country air and bright outback sunrises. Spend the night under the sparkling country stars and your days out on the dam fishing or kayaking. Even if you aren’t camping, be sure to save space in your itinerary for an afternoon on the red dirt shore.

To stay closer to town, opt for a central hotel to base yourself between exploring and fossicking, like Smart Stayzzz Inn and Clermont Country Motor Inn .

Things to do in Clermont

three people on a tour with Golden Prospecting — Join a tour with Golden Prospecting.

One does not visit Clermont without trying their hand at fossicking. There are strict rules when it comes to fossicking, so stick to areas dedicated for general permission and make sure you obtain your license beforehand. Try your luck at McMasters , Four Mile , Town Desert, McDonald Flat and Flat Diggings . To increase your odds, sign on for a tour with the expert team at Golden Prospecting . They’ll give you access to exclusive plots and expert advice along the way.

Once you’ve tried your luck on the gold fields, head to the Clermont Township and Historical Museum . Each exhibit works like an archaeologist’s brush to dust away the layers of Clermont’s history. Like the steam engine that painstakingly relocated the entire town inch by inch to higher ground after it was decimated by flooding in 1916. See the tools that helped build the Blair Athol mine, historic fire engines, shearing sheds and all sorts of relics that make up Clermont’s story.

The historic Copperfield Chimney offers a change of pace. Legend has it that fossickers found a solid wall of copper here, over three metres high, kick-starting Queensland’s first-ever copper mine.

Bush Heli Services flying over clermont queensland — See Clermont from above with Bush Heli Services. (Image: Riptide Creative/ TEQ)

For hiking, nearby Dysart is the best place to access Peak Range National Park. Here, mountainous horizons stretch across the outback as if plucked from another world. Set off for a scenic drive along the Peak Downs Highway for access to countless geological wonders. Like the slanting rockface of Wolfang Peak. Summit it, and you’ll find yourself looking out across a scene surely conjured up by Banjo Paterson. Dry scrub dancing in the warm breeze, grazing cattle, eucalypts and the gentle creak of windmills. Don’t miss visiting Gemini Peaks, either, for one of the park’s best vistas, and a blanket of wild flowers after rain.

Then, take to the skies with a scenic helicopter tour with Bush Heli-Services . Shift your perspective and cruise above all the sights from your trip. Spots like Lords Table Mountain and Campbell’s Peak are best viewed from the skies.

Before you head home, be sure to explore the neighbouring townships. Spend a lazy afternoon in the shade of Nebo Hotel’s wrap-around verandahs . The hotel’s 1900s dance hall has since been replaced with one of the area’s biggest rodeo arenas, so consider timing your trip to line up with a boot scootin’ rodeo. Or, stop by a ghost town. Mount Britton was once a thriving town during the 1880s Gold Rush. It’s been totally abandoned and now lies untouched, a perfect relic of the Gold Rush.

Best restaurants and cafes in Clermont

meal at Commercial Hotel — Stop into the Commercial Hotel Clermont.

Days spent fossicking, bushwalking and cramming on history call for excellent coffee and hearty country meals. Luckily, Clermont delivers in spades.

Lotta Lattes Cafe is beloved by locals for a reason. Start your days here for the best caffeine fix in town and an impeccable brunch menu.

For a real country meal, an icy cold beer and that famed country hospitality, head straight to the town’s iconic hotel: the Commercial Hotel (known endearingly to locals as ‘The Commie’). It’s been a staple in Clermont since 1877. The hotel even survived the flood of 1916 when it was sawn in two and moved to higher ground.

Naturally, time spent in the outback must include calling into the local bakery. For delicious pies and a tantalising array of sweet treats, make Bluemac Bakehouse your go-to while in town.

Discover more of The Mackay Isaac region, and start planning your trip at mackayisaac.com.