Yeppoon, the magical seaside town you have to see now

As the gateway to the Southern Great Barrier Reef, Yeppoon is a burgeoning destination in its own right, offering exceptional dining experiences, market and boutique shopping and a vibrant arts scene.

Sitting on the traditional lands of the Darumbal people, Yeppoon has evolved from an agricultural region in the 1860s to a classic coastal village that charms visitors with its laid-back atmosphere and seaside vibe.

It’s a destination rich in produce and renowned for its pineapples, beef and seafood, which feature on local menus at smart restaurants and chic cafes.

With a population of around 7000, Yeppoon is the largest town in a string of villages along the Capricorn Coast and provides an excellent base for exploring the islands of the Southern Great Barrier Reef and nearby inland rainforests.

Yeppoon Coastline Aerial View — Yeppoon is a seaside gem just begging to be discovered.

How to get to Yeppoon

As the vibrant heart of the Capricorn Coast, Yeppoon sits on the Tropic of Capricorn, around 672 kilometres north of Brisbane and about 40 kilometres north-east of Central Queensland’s largest city, Rockhampton. Rockhampton airport is serviced by daily flights from Brisbane with Qantas and Virgin Australia (flight time around one hour) and direct flights with Bonza Airlines from both Melbourne and the Sunshine Coast are due to commence late 2022. A bus service operates between the airport and the towns of the Capricorn Coast. Queensland Rail also runs services between Brisbane and Rockhampton.

When to visit

Yeppoon is a great year-round destination. Winter is the most popular tourist season, when the sub-tropical climate means warm dry days of around 23°C (June to September). In summer (December to March), expect some rain, and daytime temperatures between 22°C and 32°C.

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

Things to do in Yeppoon

Stroll down Yeppoon’s main street or the esplanade to browse beach-chic boutiques and surf stores and keep an eye out for one of the many street art murals adorning local walls.

Duck into the Jet James Art Gallery to see original works, prints, clothing and giftware by this established Australian artist and designer, and Yeppoon local. Or if markets are your thing, Fig Tree Markets , run by the Keppel Coast Arts Organisation, are held on the first Sunday morning of the month, offering handmade, locally-designed arts and crafts and local produce.

Street art enthusiasts will find much to admire in Yeppoon. Look for it near the Keppel Bay Sailing Club, near the Yeppoon foreshore, the town centre car park, and in atmospheric Pie Alley. On the foreshore, take a dip in the infinity-edge lagoon, a favourite for families with its water fountains, children’s play area, dining areas and sunset views to the islands, and wander along to nearby Keppel Kraken zero-depth water park .

To explore the Reef, take the 30-minute ferry ride from Rosslyn Bay to Great Keppel Island, an ideal day trip. Stay longer in paradise at Great Keppel Island Hideaway and picture yourself sipping cocktails, snorkelling among reef found directly off the beach, and strolling kilometres of uncrowded pristine beaches – there are 17 stretches of sand to choose from.

Snorkelling Great Keppel Island — Head to Great Keppel Island to snorkel among the reef found directly off the beach. (Image: Tourism Events Queensland)

Back on the mainland, beach-lovers are spoiled for choice. Apart from Main Beach, the most popular are Lammermoor, Cooee Bay and Kemp beaches. From Kemp Beach, take Bluff Point Track to Turtle Lookout for panoramic views and whale-watching (July to October).

Take the Bluff Point Track to Turtle Lookout for panoramic views of the coast.

Drive roughly 25 minutes north of Yeppoon to discover the lush rainforests of Byfield and spectacular scenery of the surrounding parks and forests.

Driving Byfield National Park — Discover the lush rainforests of Byfield National Park just a short drive from Yeppoon. (Image: Tourism Events Queensland)

Stay in one of the boutique rainforest retreats and explore Byfield National Park, Conservation Park and State Forest , which is home to an infinite variety of cool waterholes and creeks, rolling sand dunes, beaches, and rugged mountains. Artists, craft workers and nature lovers have made the village of Byfield their own.

Swimming Byfield National Park — Cool off in one of the many waterholes and creeks in Byfield National Park. (Image: Tourism Events Queensland)

Best places to eat in Yeppoon

For such a small town, Yeppoon punches above its weight when it comes to dining. Local chefs turn out some sophisticated offerings and diverse flavours designed to make the most of high-quality beef, seafood and tropical fruit widely available in the Capricorn region. There is a wide range of smart restaurants, cafés and clubs catering to all tastes and budgets, and a great craft brewery.

Among Yeppoon’s top restaurants are multi-award-winning Waterline Restaurant at Keppel Bay Marina , and Beaches Restaurant , where the menu offers fresh local seafood and produce direct from its nearby permaculture farm.

For something more casual, head to The Alley , a coastal café that oozes an inner city Melbourne vibe and one of the hottest hangouts in town. The menu features plenty of homegrown produce and celebrates the region’s local flavours. Does it get more Queensland than that?

Another way to explore Yeppoon’s culinary treasures is by following the Taste Capricorn Coast food trail which will lead to the many farm gates, markets and producers in the region.

Best places to stay in Yeppoon

Whatever your budget or style, Yeppoon has plenty of attractive accommodation options, from camping grounds to luxe holiday apartments, many offering easy access to the beach and views of the Keppel Island Group.

For families looking for space, Oshen Holiday Apartments and Echelon Apartments are among the newest apartments, both with views of Great Keppel Island.

Oshen Yeppoon Balcony View — Enjoy the views from your private balcony at Oshen in Yeppoon.

At Salt Beachfront Yeppoon , every one of the 50 one-, two- and three-bedroom apartments has ocean views across beautiful Rosslyn Bay. Located in the heart of the town, a short walk from the Yeppoon Lagoon, the resort also has two pools to choose from.

The family-friendly resort-style Beaches on Lammermoor Holiday Apartments across the street from Lammermoor Beach has panoramic views to the islands. It’s only a few minutes from Keppel Bay Marina for those wanting to take the boat trip and explore the Southern Great Barrier Reef.

Kids diving in Yeppoon Lagoon — Kids will love Yeppoon Lagoon in town.

Families looking for budget options have several holiday parks to choose from. The Beachside Holiday Caravan Park lives up to its name, while just one kilometre from Yeppoon’s main shopping strip, and Discovery Parks Coolwaters Yeppoon and Island View Caravan Park are perfectly positioned on nearby beaches.

For more information about Yeppoon head to visitcapricorn.com.au

Exploring the world’s largest sand island starts with the perfect K’gari homebase.

The morning light is still soft, but it’s already a perfect sunny day. We left our K’gari homebase at Kingfisher Bay Resort with our guide, Peter Meyer, at 9 am to make the most of our time to explore all that the world’s largest sand island holds. The size of K’gari is hard to grasp until you arrive here. This is no sandbar. Stretching 120 kilometres, unique lakes, mangrove systems, rainforest, 75 Miles of beach, historic shipwrecks, small townships and even one of Queensland’s best bakeries are all hidden within its bounds.

But first, one of the island’s most iconic sights: the pure silica sand and crystal clear waters of Lake McKenzie.

Laying eyes on it for the first time, I’m finally able to confirm that the photos don’t lie. The sand is pure white, without the merest hint of yellow. The water fades from a light halo of aqua around the edges to a deeper, royal blue, the deeper it gets (not that it’s particularly deep, six metres at most). The surface remains surprisingly undisturbed, like a mirror.

Arriving with our guide before 10 am means that no one else is around when we get here. Which means we have the pleasure of breaking the smooth surface with our own ripples as we enter. As a self-confessed wimp with chilly water temperatures, my fears are quickly assuaged. Even in the morning, the water stays around 23 degrees – perfect for lazing about all day. But we have more sights to see.

Exploring K’gari

ariel of in lake mckenzie on k'gari fraser island — Relax in the warm waters of Lake McKenzie. (Image: Ayeisha Sheldon)

This was the Personalised 4WD tour offered by Kingfisher Bay Resort, and my absolute top pick of experiences. Over the course of the day, we had the freedom to create our own bespoke itinerary (plus a provided picnic lunch along the way), with an expert guide who had plenty of stories and local expertise to give context to what we were looking at. From the history of the SS Maheno shipwreck, which survived the First World War only to be washed ashore by a cyclone in 1935, to a detailed description of how an island made of sand could sustain such diverse flora.

If it’s your first time to K’gari, the Beauty Spots Tour is another great option. Departing daily from Kingfisher Bay Resort (you’ll start to notice a trend, as many of the tours do start and end here), an air-conditioned, 4WD bus takes guests to the island’s most iconic locations, including the best places to swim, like Lake McKenzie and Eli Creek. The latter offers a gentle current, perfect for riding with a blow-up tyre out towards the ocean.

The next day, for a look at a completely different side of K’gari, I joined one of Kingfisher Bay Resort’s Immersive Ranger-guided tours to kayak through the mangroves of Dundonga Creek. This long, snake-like stretch of creek winds its way inland from the ocean outlet we entered by, at times too narrow for three kayaks to be side-by-side. Small insects buzz from leaf to leaf, while birds call overhead. Occasional bubbles indicate we’ve passed some fish that call this place home.

kayak tour through the mangroves at k'gari island — Learn about the island’s mangroves from your Ranger. (Image: Reuben Nutt/ TEQ)

If kayaking isn’t for you – or if, like me, you simply want more – other ranger-led experiences include nature walks and a dedicated Junior Eco Ranger Program for kids ages five to 12 (these run every weekend, and daily over the peak December holidays). Just ask for a timetable of upcoming tours when you check in.

While during whale season, Hervey Bay Whale Watch & Charters operates tours from the hotel’s jetty to get up close to the famous Humpback Highway of Hervey Bay, from 7 November to 31 May, attention turns to the Aqua Oasis Cruise . Departing from the resort every Tuesday, Thursday, Saturday and Sunday for resort guests, adventure along the island’s remote western coast, pointing out wildlife like dolphins, turtles, flying fish and eagles along the way.

The cruise drops anchor so guests can jump into the water using the boat’s equipment – from SUP boards to inflatable slides and jumping platforms. Then refuel with a provided lunch, of course.

Unwind at sunset

two people drinking cocktails at sunset bar, kingfisher bay resort — Unwind at the Sunset Bar. (Image: Sean Scott)

As much as days on K’gari can be filled with adventure, to me, the afternoons and evenings there are for unwinding. Sunsets on K’gari are absolutely unbelievable, with Kingfisher Bay on the west side being the best spot to catch the colours.

The Sunset Bar , located at the start of the resort’s jetty and overlooking the beach, is the ultimate location for sundowners. Let chill beats wash over you as you sip on cool wines, beers and cocktails in a relaxed, friendly vibe. Personally, a cheese board was also absolutely called for. As the sun sinks, the sand, sea and horizon turn a vibrant shade of orange, with the jetty casting a dramatic shadow across the water.

When the show is over, head back to the hotel for dinner at the Asian-fusion Dune restaurant, or the pub-style Sand + Wood. But if your appetite is still whetted for more lights and colours, the evening isn’t over yet.

Settle into the Illumina stage for Return to Sky, an immersive light and sound show leading viewers on a captivating journey through K’gari’s stories and landscapes.

Indulge and disconnect

woman setting up massage room at kingfisher bay resort Island Day Spa — Find bliss at Island Day Spa. (Image: Jessica Miocevich)

Of course, there is a type of traveller who knows that balance is important, day or night. While Kingfisher Bay Resort offers more than one pool for guests to spend all day lounging by (they’ll even serve you food and drinks while you do it), you’ll find me at the Island Day Spa.

The masseuses could match the magic hands of any big city spa, and I felt the warm welcome as I walked into the light, breezy reception. Choose from a range of botanical facials, beauty treatments and soothing massages using traditional techniques (obviously, I couldn’t go past a relaxing massage). All products used contain organic, native botanical ingredients with nutrient-rich plant extracts to soothe skin and mind. To really indulge, try out one of the packages, couples treatment or even a pre-wedding day offering.

Getting there

kingfisher bay resort 4wd tour driving passed ss maheno on k'gari island — The world of K’gari awaits. (Image: Jessica Miocevich)

Getting to K’gari is shockingly easy. Find daily flights into Hervey Bay from Brisbane, Melbourne and Sydney. Kingfisher Bay Resort offers a shuttle bus between the airport, their headquarters in Hervey Bay and the ferry to take you to K’gari.