How to spend three days on Pumpkin Island

Sailing into Keppel Bay, you’ll feel life’s worries slowly fade away with every minute on board the Pumpkin Xpress en route to Pumpkin Island.

Nestled amongst the Keppel Islands, just 14 kilometres off the coast of Yeppoon, this eco-friendly getaway is the stuff of deserted island dreaming, taking you off-the-grid in comfort. With the Southern Great Barrier Reef on your doorstep, one visit and you’ll want to stay forever.

The colour of the water here is unlike anything you’ve seen, but Pumpkin Island’s sustainable practices are as impressive as the views. Regarded as the first carbon positive island resort in Australia (achieving 150% carbon offset in 2017), this eco-paradise has attained Australia’s highest ecotourism certification.

Here, you can do as much or as little as you like. So if soaking up the sun with a book you can’t put down is your dream escape, then you’ve found your spot in the sand. But if you’re looking for adventure, follow this itinerary.

You could easily spend a week in barefoot luxury, but here’s how to have a rejuvenating three days on Pumpkin Island.

Day 1

AM: Check in

Take the ferry from Keppel Bay Marina and you’ll be on island time within the hour. 

This tiny gem – six hectares in total – offers eco-friendly accommodation for up to 34 guests in 7 self-catering units. Whether you’ve rented the whole island or just a cabin for two, you’ll be front row centre to the best views during your stay: all offer private decks and barbeques overlooking the sunset.

PM: Time to explore

There’s so much to do on the island, and with just a handful of guests you’ll be sure to find a quiet cove to wildlife watch or swim. The western side of the island is home to a safe, sandy beach perfect for swimming and beach lounging. And if you’re feeling active, you can rent kayaks, stand up paddle boards and life jackets from the activities hut here too.

As the sun sets, make a beeline for the Sunset Lounge where you can kick back with a beer, lounge in a hammock or chat to fellow travellers.

Evening

Dinner is served with a view of the islands and reef, whether you went BYO or organised gourmet meal catering from the award-winning Waterline Restaurant. They make tucking into local ingredients easy, supplying all meals for your stay from breakfast to dinner; you’ll be feasting on Grilled Keppel Bay King Prawns, Banana Station rib fillet, seasonal fruits or family-sized BBQ packs. Just order up to 48 hours before departure and food will be delivered to Keppel Bay Marina for your journey here.

There’s a pizza oven available for guest use, and if you really don’t want to lift a finger on your holiday, you can even arrange for a private chef to cater and cook all your meals.

Day 2

AM: Dive into the reef

Kick start your morning with a coffee on your deck, or head to Sunset Lounge for a latte from the coin operated (and solar powered) coffee machine.

Your morning is dedicated to exploring the underwater world surrounding Pumpkin Island. Spectacular snorkel spots can be found all around the island, with gently graded beach access perfect for inexperienced or young snorkelers. Rent gear from the activities hut and dive into the clear water: the fringing coral reef is home to an abundance of colourful fish, marine creatures and plant life.

Keen to explore a little deeper below? Scuba diving operators Keppel Dive and Barry's Dive. will pick you up from Pumpkin Island for an unforgettable day out on the reef.

For other day trip ideas, head out with Keppel Explorer to discover nearby Southern Great Barrier Reef islands.

PM: Take a walk

After a morning at sea, stretch your legs with a walk. Pumpkin Island’s boardwalk leads to headlands perfect for spotting dolphins, seabirds and even humpback whales if you’re visiting from June-October.

At low tide, you can also walk out to Little Pumpkin Island. Spot the Nankeen Kestrel hunting lizards, Ospreys diving for their lunch, Sooty and Pied Oyster Catchers walking along the oyster rocks and resident Beach Stone Curlews hiding away in the daytime.

Enjoy the sandy beaches long into the evening with a beach bonfire. Firewood can be purchased on the island or brought with you – just make sure you’ve brought marshmallows too.

Day 3

AM: Get the fresh catch

Rise early, because the early bird gets the fresh catch. Pumpkin Island offers anglers a wide variety of fishing experiences, from the reefs to rocky headlands, sheltered bays and open seas. This is your chance to bag mackerel, trevally, rock cod, coral trout, red emperor, squid and more. You don’t need a boat, but you can rent a 15hp tinny (a boat license is required) from the Pumpkin Island crew or book a fishing charter.

But if you’d prefer to watch fish than hook them, grab your snorkel: it’s time to explore the spots you didn’t make it to yesterday.

PM: Paddle out

This afternoon, soak in the serenity and sealife aboard a kayak. The calm waters around Pumpkin make it easy to paddle yourself around the island, find your own little coves or float above the coral on the tides.

Evening: Cook up

Take in your final island sunset from the swing of a hammock, or with board game battles with your gang in the Sunset Lounge, before making use of the pizza oven. 

Relax, tune out, and appreciate that you really are away from it all.  

Day 4

AM: Soak it all in

It might be time to leave this slice of paradise, but you’ll leave a little lighter. Your boat back to the mainland departs at 8am (depending on tides) so rise early to catch sunrise from the deck, coffee in hand.

Take a quick dip at the beach or wander along the boardwalks one last time, for now. We know you’ll be back.