Capricorn Coast Destination-Information Listings

Capricorn Coast

The Capricorn Coast is exciting, diverse and breathtakingly beautiful. Visitors to the Coast enjoy golden days and balmy, moonlit evenings with the brilliant sunsets and scents of the tropics as well as the crispness of a temperate climate. The Coast is under the Tropic of Capricorn, for which it is named, and it sweeps along the Pacific Ocean at Central Queensland just a 30 minute drive from the Beef Capital of Australia, Rockhampton, and only 600 kilometres from the capital, Brisbane. You can still enjoy a beach to yourself at the Capricorn Coast with views of Great and North Keppel Islands and the many smaller islands, which act as stepping-stones to the wonders of the Great Barrier Reef. Great Keppel Island is a popular island to visitors and is accessible by a 30-minute ferry ride. Ferry services operate daily out of Rosslyn Bay. Yeppoon is the Coast's major town, which has retained its village style appeal, yet offers a variety of wonderful restaurants, accommodation and shops. Just north of Yeppoon is the Capricorn Resort, set on 22,000 acres of nature and offers two world standard golf courses, whilst to the south at Zilzie, the Reef Palms Complex offers night-time golf with a floodlit course, featuring a world-first - synthetic golf course. The beaches along the Capricorn Coast are touched by the legacy of Captain James Cook. Emu Park, the second largest town on the Capricorn Coast, has honoured Cook's exploration with a monument, the famous 'Singing Ship', a soaring white sculpture with Great Keppel Island as a back drop. Lammermoor, Kinka, Mullambin and Kemp beaches, Cooee Bay and the Causeway Lake, all line the Capricorn Coast offering many pleasures, wonderful accommodation and so much beauty you will never want to leave. The Capricorn Coast is easily accessible by road, rail, coach and air and is situated 38 kilometres north east of Rockhampton.

Emu Park

Emu Park is situated along the Capricorn Coast, 45 kilometres east of Rockhampton. Emu Park is host to the Singing Ship, a monument overlooking the coast line. You can take a scenic drive of Yeppoon before arriving in Emu Park or drive straight from Rockhampton which passes the Koorana Crocodile Farm. From Emu Park you can also visit Great Keppel Island for a day trip, or enjoy the quiet, peaceful surrounds that Emu Park has to offer.

Keppel Sands

Once Keppel Sands (south of Yeppoon) went by the name of The Sandhills. Sandhills along the beach front were about all there was, until a sleepy town amidst the sugar cane plantations started to emerge. That's all changing these days, particularly since real estate started going 'through the roof'. The majority of the sugar cane plantations have all but gone and a different community has developed, partly due to tourism, a burgeoning real estate market and, one would imagine, the excellent fishing. The town is set on a tidal stretch of water and that makes for good crabbing and fishing. A 'must visit' is the Joskeleigh South Pacific Museum, which highlights the role played by the Kanakas, brought out by the 'blackbirders' to work the sugar cane fields as indentured labour. There's a good picnic area by the beach.

Kinka Beach

With wide open beaches lapped by the calm, gentle waters of Keppel Bay, Kinka Beach, just 15 minutes’ drive south of Yeppoon, is the perfect seaside destination for families looking for an affordable getaway. Kinka Beach holiday-makers enjoy unfiltered views over the water to the world-renowned Great Keppel Island. Its quiet locale and tranquil waters make Kinka Beach an excellent swimming beach for all ages and abilities. Grab a bucket and spade and make the most of the clean sand and idyllic location. The seaside hamlet of Emu Park is just three kilometres down the road offering a range of shops, cafes and facilities to ensure your stay is a comfortable one. At the northern end of Kinka Beach is Causeway Lake, offering great picnic and barbecue facilities and pretty water views. A local kiosk sells bait and tackle along with ice creams and treats for the whole family. Explore the lake by boat, catamaran, kayak, paddle boat or canoe, available for hire at the local boat shop. Take the kids fishing, throw in a crab pot, or at low tide visit the nearby rock pools and delight at the strange and wonderful creatures who call this place home. Several beachside units with pools are available for hire and the area also has a number of good caravan parks and holiday villages offering self-contained units, cabins, and camping facilities.

Rosslyn Bay

Protected from the elements behind an enormous volcanic outcrop, Rosslyn Bay is just seven minutes’ drive south of Yeppoon on the beautiful Capricorn Coast. The steep volcanic outcrop that shelters the bay was formed over 70 million years ago and is one of the most fascinating geological formations in the area. A short, but vigorous walk to the summit reveals magnificent views of the Keppel Islands, the surrounding coastline and volcanic formations. Rosslyn Bay Harbour is a hive of activity with ferries regularly departing for Great Keppel Island, along with Keppel Bay cruises, bareboat charters and recreational fishing cruises. Local fishing trawlers also make use of the harbour, returning with freshly caught reef fish, prawns, bugs and mud crabs. Visitors can indulge in this mouth-watering bounty at the Rosslyn Bay Fisherman’s Co-op where it’s guaranteed fresh! Nearby Statue Bay and Double Head are renowned fishing destinations where you’ll find Black Jewfish, Cod, Tuna and Mackerel. The rock wall surrounding Rosslyn Bay Harbour is also known as a good spot to wet a line. North Queensland’s largest marina, Keppel Bay Marina, is also located at Rosslyn Bay, boasting 400 berths. Enjoy a scrumptious lunch at the Marina cafe as you look out over the cool blue waters of the Pacific Ocean.

Yeppoon

Yeppoon is situated 38 kilometres north east of Rockhampton, and is the gateway to the Capricorn Coast and the wonders of the Southern Great Barrier Reef and Keppel Bay Islands. Wander along the town's picturesque esplanade with its backdrop of offshore islands, sparkling azure sea and clear blue skies and soak up the relaxed and welcoming atmosphere. The township has retained its village style appeal with a variety of wonderful restaurants, accommodation, shops and galleries. A charming esplanade with grassy knoll, palms and covered picnic and play areas form a backdrop to a vista of sea, sand, sky and islands. As well, annual events, including the Pineapple Festival held in September, enliven the town with gala activities, contests and displays. Local markets offer bargains aplenty. Take a look through the many boutiques and surf stores and be sure to have a bite to eat at one of the beautiful cafes or restaurants in town. Within walking distance of the town centre are Figtree and Ross Creeks, home to the Black and Little Red flying foxes. At sunset, thousands of these fascinating mammals rise spectacularly as one to head off to their feeding grounds – an awesome sight to see!

Zilzie

Located just to the south of Emu Park and Yeppoon along the Capricorn Coast, Zilzie is gaining prominence as one of Australia's booming destinations, with significant new tourism and residential developments underway. With beautiful beaches and magnificent views across to the Keppel Islands, Zilzie is just 35 minute scenic drive from Rockhampton.