The best day trips from Rockhampton and Yeppoon

Spend a day learning about the heritage, history and culture around Rockhampton.

30 minutes’ drive north of the Beef Capital, you’ll find a limestone cave network dating back a whopping 390 million years. The rock formations of Capricorn Caves once lived under the sea, as coral growing in shallow waters. Now, the network of caves are open for adventure, with caving, abseiling, climbing and high ropes to explore. The Cathedral Cave Tour is the most popular and is also wheelchair accessible. It showcases the stunning formation and amazing natural acoustics within the Cathedral Chamber.

Continue your history lesson and pay a visit to Dreamtime Cultural Centre to learn about the indigenous people of Central Queensland through guided tours and hands-on cultural activities. The Vanishing Culture of the Sandstone Belt is a stunning 34-metre display of recreated sandstone caves not only entertains but also educates on the environment of the Central Queensland Sandstone Belt.

Croc and rock

Here’s a day trip from Rockhampton that’s a little wilder.

Begin with breakfast on the riverfront at Riverstone Tea Rooms, and explore the Riverside Park area with a leisurely walk to check out the heritage buildings. Then, point your steering wheel towards Koorana Crocodile Farm; a working crocodile farm open to visitors. Watching a live crocodile feeding is a heart-stopping experience, and if you visit from February to Easter you might also see baby crocs hatch. Take a tour, then taste some lunch: croc burgers are the house specialty!

Rockhampton Botanic Gardens is your next stop. The oldest public gardens in Queensland is also home to the free-entry Rockhampton Zoo, with the opportunity to see and learn about over 60 species of native animals from across Australia and around the world.

Finish your day trip on a high note and stretch your legs at Mount Archer National Park. There’s plenty of short bushwalks, but if it’s nearing sunset make your way to the Nurim Circuit Elevated Boardwalk for views out across the region from the platform.

Go coastal

Just 38 kilometres from Rockhampton lies Yeppoon, the gateway to the Capricorn Coast. From here, you can jump off into the wonders of the Southern Great Barrier Reef and Keppel Bay Islands (more on that shortly), but the town and its surrounds makes for a scenic and serene day trip.

Follow this itinerary to plan your day: wander the esplanade, take a dip at the lagoon, and explore the outdoor gallery of vibrant street art, before jetting along the coast to soak up sun at secluded beaches, bays and lookouts. Spot the ship that’s wrecked at Wreck Point Lookout, and then discover one that sings at Emu Park, where concealed organs capture the sea breeze to create music.

Day trips from Yeppoon

The Capricorn Coast might be Queensland’s unsung hero, but it’s got an untouched beauty and unrivalled adventure for those who get to know it. Best yet, these can all be had in a day trip from its hub, Yeppoon.  

To the isles

The jewel in the crown of the Keppels is Great Keppel Island. And it’s easy to reach in a day trip from Yeppoon thanks to Keppel Konnections, which operates a 30 minute ferry service from the marina to the island several times a day.

Sink your toes in the sand here and you’ll want to stay much longer. But if you only have the day, spend it exploring some of the 18 pristine beaches on the island, out on the water in a SUP or on a guided snorkel tour, lunching at Great Keppel Island Hideaway and ticking off as many of these things to do as you can fit in.

Reef and beef

The Southern Great Barrier Reef is on your doorstep, so get acquainted with a day out on the water exploring the world below. Freedom Fast Cats will show you the best of the region, whether you’re after an adventurous day or something a little more relaxed.  Or head out on a small boat with Keppel Explorer; the only full day tour to see both the North and South Keppels, and they also offer a half-day Great Keppel Island tour if you’re shorter on time. If you’re a diver, Keppel Dive is the ticket to your adventure.

Once back at Keppel Bay Marina, stop for dinner at Waterline Restaurant. With a paddock to plate philosophy, they not only serve up the freshest local seafood, but local Banana Station Beef for the best steaks in Central Queensland.

Escape to the rainforest

Need a change of scenery? Nothing comes better than the deep green and seclusion of Byfield. Home to a national park, state forest and small village, you’ll find rainforest-edged creeks to swim in, rolling sand dunes and deserted beaches to explore if you have a 4WD. And if you want to spend a little longer, pitch your tent or relax in a rainforest cabin for the night.