A stay at Great Keppel Island in Queensland is a must for white sand beaches, incredible blue water – the clearest on the coast – epic marine life and the most laid back friendly island vibe. Make sure to add a Great Keppel Island holiday to your itinerary as you travel up or down Australia’s East Coast, or choose it as a holiday destination – you could easily spend a week on this stunning island. You may remember Great Keppel as a party island from back in the day, but now it’s now a laid back, quiet family destination, perfect for a relaxing break in nature.
Where is Great Keppel Island?
Great Keppel Island is on the Capricorn Coast of Queensland, about a seven hour drive from Brisbane. The beautiful seaside town of Yeppoon is closest, and it takes about 30 minutes on the ferry from Yeppoon to Great Keppel Island.
The closest airport is Rockhampton, and if you fly in here, it’s worth staying a few days to explore the area. We loved our stay in Rockhampton.
Getting to Great Keppel Island
We went over and back with Freedom Fast Cats, a family-owned business with a super friendly crew who will help you on and off with your heavy bags. We got on the ferry at the Yeppoon ferry terminal. Wear thongs or shoes you don’t mind getting wet as you walk down a ramp into the sand and a little water on arrival on the island.
We also did a glass bottom boat tour with them too. They operate day trips around the island including snorkeling trips with morning tea and lunch. You can find more info here.
If you have a car you need to leave you can keep it at the Great Keppel Secure Car Park for $13 a day. They also have a shuttle bas and will take you to the port.
How long to stay on Great Keppel Island
I reckon you need to stay a minimum of three days on Great Keppel Island – you want three days of good weather to explore the beaches, the hikes and chill and enjoy the island vibes.
I suggest exploring Rockhampton, Yeppoon and Emu Park while you are in the area. I reckon about three – four days in Rockhampton, two – three days in Yeppoon and do a day trip to Emu Park. If you have extra time I would stay a few more days on Great Keppel Island.
In Yeppoon stay at Oshen Apartments overlooking the ocean, or at any of the lovely hotels and apartments in town.
What to take?
Make sure to take everything you’ll need while you’re there as there aren’t shops – there’s a small shop and pizza place but there’s not a corner store or anything like that. So take all your sun gear and food and drink with you.
If you’re staying at the GKI Holiday Village where we stayed you will be self-catering so you will need to take food and drink. They provide all the kitchen utensils in their awesome kitchen, as well as drinking water – although we took our own. More to come on where to stay below.
What to do on Great Keppel Island
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Hiking.
There are so many hikes to do on the island. Grab a map when you arrive and set off. Remember to take enough water and hat and sunscreen. Walk around to Long Beach, stopping for swims along the way, set off the Homestead, or trek up to the lookouts.
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Swimming.
Our favourite beaches were Shelving and Monkey, with white sand, clear water and fabulous reefs just bursting with fish.
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Water sports.
Check out the water sports cabin on the beach near Hideaway for activities, dives and snorkel trips.
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Eat at Hideaway Restaurant.
The food is great and there’s live music on weekends
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Organise a remote beach drop.
Get dropped at remote beaches and spend the day alone
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Check out the abandoned resort on the main beach.
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Watch the incredible sunsets over the main beach, from the beach or the bar at Hideaway.
Where to stay on Great Keppel Island
We stayed at Great Keppel Island Holiday Village and loved it. We were in a glamping tent, but they have cabins and camping sites too. The grounds are big and leafy with hammocks and board games and it’s just a few steps to the beach and the most awesome sunsets.
GKI Holiday Village is self catering so you will need to bring food and drink, however it’s super easy as the kitchen is so huge and well equipped with every kind of device you could want – from slow cookers and rice cookers, fry pans and BBQ plus all utensils.
They have fridges, a freezer and dry food storage, fresh water and free masks, fins and beach play gear for guests. You can also hire wetsuits.
The Hideaway has lovely cabins and a great restaurant and breach front bar.
The island also has a backpackers and you can hire private houses on AirBNB.
When to go?
Great Keppel is awesome all year round but the water is at its clearest during winter when you can also see whales migrating up the coast.
Irukanji may be found in the water from November to February so you will have to wear stinger suits. May onward is the best time to avoid stingers.
Is it good for kids?
YES! Kinds can free range it’s so safe. The water is clear and shallow and while the goat tracks may be a bit tricky to get to Monkey, you can walk around via Long Beach or get a boat drop off. There are rocks to climb, caves to play in, hikes and swimming and snorkelling. Great Keppel Island is fab for kids.
Our favourite spots
We LOVED Shelving Beach and Monkey Beach. You can swim off the beach to the reef from both, and we found that Monkey had the greatest abundance of fish.
I have been told that Wreck Beach is incredible for a beach drop – request at GKI Holiday Village, and Clam Beach is the best for seeing gangs of black tip reef sharks (although the coral has not recovered from the cyclone).
Our rating?
Five stars! We loved it and will be back.
