How to spend the weekend on Woppa (Great Keppel Island)

Craving a tropical island getaway? There’s arguably nowhere better to indulge in some quality rest and relaxation than the Keppel Group on the Southern Great Barrier Reef. The largest of the 18-strong group is Woppa (Great Keppel Island), a natural wonderland boasting 17 different beaches, abundant reeflife, and luscious rainforest to explore. Despite the isle being an expansive 1454 hectares you can see the best of it’s offerings with just a short getaway. This guide will show you how to spend the weekend on Woppa (Great Keppel Island).

Day One

Morning

Depart for your island escape from the gateway town of Yeppoon, on the cusp of the Southern Great Barrier Reef. It’s from the coastal enclave that you’ll be able to board a vessel belonging to the likes of

Keppel Konnections or Freedom Fast Cats to make the half hour journey to your new home for the weekend. Bookings are required for both companies so reserve your space ahead of time, but rest assured both make numerous trips to and fro throughout the day.

Afternoon

Grab your swimwear and make way for one of the 17 beaches that litter the island. Beach lovers will adore a weekend on Woppa (Great Keppel Island) thanks to the opportunity to explore a new sandy stretch with each day (or even hour). There is a web of bushwalking trails that will lead you to the various swimming spots scattered around these parts, including the most popular stretches Putney Beach and Fisherman’s Beach closest to the resorts. Or seek seclusion on the south side of the island at Long Beach, considered one of Australia’s Best. It’s at this idyllic destination that you’ll also be able to glimpse the ancient Aboriginal shell middens left by traditional landowners the Woppaburra people.

Evening

Make yourself at home at your chosen accommodation for your weekend on Woppa (Great Keppel Island) - there are a handful of different, equally discrete, options to choose from. But one of the area’s stand-outs is the gathering of simply styled beachfront cabins and houses available at the locally owned Great Keppel Island Hideaway which sits perched on Putney Beach. Conveniently, this low-key venue also happens to be home to the only accommodation option with both a restaurant and bar for those who want to take it easy this trip.

Day Two

Morning

Rise with the sun to embark on your exploration of the region by foot. Woppa (Great Keppel Island) is home to a rather famous collection of bush walking tracks, catering to all fitness levels. The Mount Wyndham walk, the trip to the island’s highest point, is a must-do for any visitor. Though equally visually rewarding (and slightly more demanding) is the Lighthouse Walk, a three-hour return journey which will see you meander from Fishermans Beach towards the iconic 2.5 metre high lighthouse which calls Bald Rock Point home. Keep an eye out for local fauna, like brush tailed possums, blue-tongue lizards, goannas, echidnas and plenty of birdlife.

Afternoon

Post-lunch grab your snorkel for an afternoon spent submerged in the crystal clear waters surrounding Great Keppel. While you can join a guided journey by boat across the coral-strewn stretch, it’s easy enough to access the reef in these parts directly from the beach. Shelving Beach, Monkey Point and Clam Bay have all earned a reputation as being some of the region’s best snorkelling spots, especially for young families. Turtles, dolphins, anemones and more will greet you below the surface. But Wreck beach is also worth the rather lengthy trek - it’s here you’ll be able to swim above a 420-year-old brain coral that stands 2 metres high.

Evening

Experience something different on your final evening of this weekend on Great Keppel Island with a night spent under the stars. BYO camping gear and pitch your tent at the campsite of Great Keppel Island Holiday Village. Or choose a slightly more indulgent offering, laying your head in one of the venue’s Glamping Tents, a handful of fully screened canvas tents erected on wooden decks among the gum trees. Even better? They come with the added comfort of a double bed and a fan.