The best things to do in Yeppoon, the jewel of the Capricorn Coast

You don’t need a five star resort to get infinity pool access in Yeppoon. Here, sparking waters with island views await at the inviting Yeppoon Lagoon, right on main beach.

This free aquatic playground has swimming spots for everyone. Kids can paddle in the shade of the water play fountains and zero-depth water park Keppel Kraken, while there’s plenty of space for lap swimming, or even just kicking back to enjoy the views.

There’s a children’s play area and dining areas to keep the family busy for hours, so stay for sunset as the sky turns golden around you.

Entry to the Lagoon is free and is patrolled Monday to Sunday including public holidays.

Spend a day at the beach

With coastal views from nearly every part of these seaside villages, a trip to Yeppoon isn’t complete without throwing down your towel on one (or more) of its picture-perfect beaches.

Yeppoon Main Beach is a great spot for a dip before a feast at one of the waterside cafes: breakfast at Keppel Bay Sailing Club is a local favourite. Lammermoor Beach is one of the most popular in the area with over two kilometres of sand to explore, before grabbing fish and chips from Sea Breeze Servo and Takeaway.

Explore Kemp Beach at low tide, then take Bluff Point Track to Turtle Lookout for panoramic coastal views and whale watching. 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.

And if you have a 4WD, 17km of sand awaits you on Farnborough Beach. 4WD access to the beach is at Bangalee, and dogs are allowed off leash from Bangalee boat ramp onwards to Barwell Creek.

Go to market

Pick from the freshest local fruit and vegetables at Yeppoon Community Market, held each Saturday morning at the Yeppoon Showgrounds from 6am to 10am. Come hungry and dine from the food vendors, before picking up a few tasty souvenirs.

Keppel Coast Arts hosts the Fig Tree Markets on the first Sunday of each month. All things homemade and home baked, the market showcases local designers, artists and makers and is well worth exploring.

Take a DIY food and art tour of town

Meander down Yeppoon’s main street or stroll the esplanade to browse beach-chic boutiques and surf stores, and keep an eye out for the many murals adding flair to the walls all over town. Coastal Funk is your go-to for locally made products, while local artists are showcased at Jet James Art Gallery or The Mill Gallery.

Turn your walk into a local food tour and stop in for a bite and brew at cafes like Whisk, The Attic Espresso Bar and Food for Thought Café.

And whether your tastes are casual or more upscale, sample local catch at The Waterline Restaurant, one of the best regional restaurants in Queensland.

Raise your glass at Vue Wine Bar & Restaurant and soak up live music at The Alley.

Sail to the islands

There are 27 islands off this stretch of coastline, though one needs no introduction: Great Keppel Island.

You can reach this jewel of the Keppels while on a day cruise adventure from Yeppoon with Freedom Fast Cat or Sail Capricornia. Explore private coves, snorkel coral reefs, laze about in the azure waters with turtles and dolphins and visit secluded beaches. Freedom Fast Cat also offers boomnetting and a glass bottom boat tour.

If you’re short on time, set sail into the bay on a sunset cruise with Sail Capricornia. Wind in hair, wine (and cheese) in hand is the best way to watch the sun go down.

If you want to stay out here a little longer (and there’s plenty of reasons why you should), take the 30 minute ferry ride with Keppel Konnections and check into barefoot paradise at Great Keppel Island Hideaway. The resort offers cabin style accommodation, licensed bar and restaurant overlooking the Great Barrier Reef, 17 beaches to discover and plenty of bushwalking tracks too. There’s some great dive sites nearby to explore the reef as well.  

Go fishing

Yeppoon is home to plenty of beaches and rocky peninsulas perfect for throwing a line in, but a fishing charter to the best spots on the Southern Great Barrier Reef will be an unforgettable day out.

Double Threat Charters Yepoon offer a bunch of fishing trips, taking you from Yeppoon around the islands, along deeper reefs and wrecks where you can chase reef fish, Spanish mackerel and trevally.

Step into Capricorn Caves

A destination that’s definitely worth the detour, drive the 40 minutes inland from Yeppoon to discover an ancient underground limestone cave system. The towering Capricorn Caves will dwarf you as you step inside and begin exploring this 390 million year old natural wonder, its caverns created by flowing waters.

The Cathedral Cave Tour is the most popular with its wheelchair access and amazing natural acoustics within the Cathedral Chamber (Underground Opera is held here twice a year). To get the adrenalin pumping, sign up for wild caving explorations or abseiling.

Recharge by the beach

Revitalise and relax at Rosslyn Bay Resort’s wellness centre. The sweeping views of Kemp Beach will have you in holiday mode from check in, whether you’re laying down for a treatment at the wellness spa or stretching into downward dog in a yoga class.

Tour the organic farm that supplies the resort’s restaurant and take a cooking class using the produce you pick, or enrol in one of the regular wellness retreats for a full body reset.

Meet the wildlife

Not only does Cooberrie Park Wildlife Sanctuary rehabilitate more than 150 injured or sick wild animals a year, but you can meet them yourselves.

Attend the daily animal show to cuddle a koala, hold a crocodile or snake, and hand feed rescued kangaroos. If you have a wildlife warrior in your family, sign them up for the Junior Zoo Keeper program that runs during school holidays.

Cooberrie Park also has a swimming pool and BBQ facilities, so you can make it a great day out for the family.

Escape to an eco-paradise

Have a little extra time up your sleeve? While you’re here, grab your gang and make tracks to Pumpkin Island. This off-the-grid oasis is just a 45 minute boat ride from Keppel Bay Marina, as is packed with adventure. Rent the whole island, or spend a few days in a cabin while you explore its patch of the Southern Great Barrier Reef. 

Explore the rainforest

Breathe in pure rainforest air at Byfield National Park.

A park of stark contrasts, explore coastline, climb massive sand dunes, relax in rainforest cabins, swim and kayak through hidden freshwater creeks (Stony Creek is a must visit), pitch a tent at remote campsites or peruse artisan crafts at Nob Creek Pottery. The northern parts of the park require a 4WD to access.

Stay surfside