Visiting the place first-hand, we realised there are so many things to do in Yeppoon and promising places to see and visit for all ages. May they be budget-friendly, fun ventures with the family or relaxing activities, you name it, they have it.
Is Yeppoon worth visiting?
If you love the tropical weather, long stretch of beaches, freshwater swimming holes, the arts, laid back vibe, lazy days and sunsets, then a trip to Yeppoon is definitely worth it. This place has the best of both worlds, where you can explore both the sea and rainforest combined.
What is Yeppoon Known For?
Yeppoon is a coastal town around 750 kilometres (8.5-hour drive) from Brisbane. It is located northeast of Rockhampton and is the principal town on the Capricorn Coast. It is famous for its tropical climate, pristine beaches, and beautiful nearby islands.
35 Things to Do in Yeppoon
Here are some of the fun and interesting things to do in Yeppoon to help complete your itinerary.
Free Things to do in Yeppoon
The best part about Yeppoon is it has so many free yet still incredible activities to do. If you are budget-conscious, you can still have a lot of fun without even the need to spend a penny.
1. Swim at Yeppoon Lagoon
The Lagoon I must say is our best-loved place in Yeppoon. It is beautifully designed for all ages, with a huge infinity pool giving you an amazing view of the vast ocean and Great Keppel Island.
They have lounge chairs and shady palms to relax and lay under with a blanket and a good book. The toilets, showers and changing facilities are impeccably clean. This lagoon has a water play area for younger kids and is also wheelchair accessible.
The best part about this place is that it is FREE, and parents can have peace of mind knowing the lagoon has lifeguards looking out to make sure everyone is safe. It is also a good place to go for a swim at night if you want to avoid the crowd.
2. Fishing at the Causeway Lake
This is a popular spot for fishing as it is home to a wide variety of fish. Aside from fishing, you can relax in its shaded areas with picnic tables and BBQs, swim safely on the waters or do some paddleboarding. There is also a fish and chips shop nearby.
3. Take Photos of Street Art
You can find larger than life, Instagram-worthy artworks standing out all over Yeppoon and Emu Park, located at public buildings, car parks, cafes and restaurants. More details about their locations can be found here: Street Art
4. Indulge in the View at Keppel Bay Marina
Day or night, Keppel Bay Marina boasts fantastic water views surrounded by lovely boats lined along the harbour. It is a great place to stroll around and just enjoy the ocean breeze.
5. Stroll at Yeppoon Main Beach
This place is spot on for lazy days spent just walking along the shore. You can bring some lunch and have a picnic while watching the ocean and Keppel Island ahead or eat at nearby cafes and restaurants.
6. Stop by The Singing Ship
Situated at Emu Park, this is another beautiful spot with spectacular ocean views. The name is derived from the lovely humming sound produced by the pipes of the ship as the wind is blowing.
You can sit back and listen to the wind singing, take a walk towards the ANZAC memorial, or stroll along the long boardwalk which is easily accessible by prams and wheelchairs. Lots of parking and shops are also available nearby.
7. Visit the Wreck Point Scenic Lookout
One of the must-see places if you are in Yeppoon. This is the site of the wrecked ship “Selina,” which was washed ashore, hence its name. This lookout provides a good vantage point of the Capricorn Coast and Keppel Bay. If you get lucky, you can spot some dolphins and sea turtles here, too!
8. Swim at Yeppoon Beaches
Lammermoor Beach, Kemp Beach, Main Beach and Kinka Beach are just a few of the beautiful beaches in Yeppoon that you can visit for a nice dip and sunbathing.
9. Witness a Beautiful Sunset
What better way to end the day than watching the sunset by the beach?
The pink, purple and warm hues at Yeppoon beaches, Keppel Bay Marina, Yeppoon Lagoon and Wreck Point Lookout make a magnificent backdrop as the day ends. Do not forget your charcuterie board and cold drinks!
Things to do in Yeppoon with the Family
Yeppoon is full of fun activities to keep the entire family entertained. Here are more things to do to add to your itinerary.
10. Shop at Yeppoon Markets
Head to the markets if you want to see and buy a good selection of locally designed arts and crafts, fresh fruits and vegetables, baked goods and pastries, jams, chutneys, handicrafts, plants, good coffee and whatnot.
Yeppoon Community Markets are held weekly on Saturdays from 6 AM-10 AM. Fig Tree Markets on the other hand are held every first Sunday of each month from 8 AM to 12 PM.
11. Shell World Yeppoon
It is great for kids to see an amazing collection of shells. Shells and memorabilia can also be purchased here at a very reasonable price.
You only need a gold coin donation to have a look around, but worth the short visit as it is very informative, with a huge diversity of shells from all over the world.
12. Cooberie Park Wildlife Sanctuary
Get up close and personal with a large variety of wildlife. The place boasts more than 300 animals to see and visit. They have ducks, peacocks, emus, snakes, and monkeys to name a few.
There is also an opportunity for kids to pet, feed and interact with some koalas, kangaroos, crocodiles, parrots, monkeys and more.
Drinks and snacks are available for you to purchase or you can bring your own food for a picnic with the family. Do not forget to bring the kids’ swimmers as there is also a swimming pool for them to enjoy.
They are open seven days a week, from 10 AM to 3 PM. Entry ticket details can be found here, which are reasonably priced with family passes available.
13. Koorana Crocodile Farm
Approximately 28 kilometres south of Yeppoon is the Koorana Crocodile Farm. It is a family run business that provides a home to over 3000 crocodiles.
They offer guided tours where kids can watch the crocodiles being fed, witness a baby crocodile hatch from its egg and even get the chance to hold little crocs.
It is an educational and fun experience for everyone. At the end of the tour, guests can satisfy their tummies by trying out their crocodile meals including crocodile steak, burger, kebab and pie, to name a few. They also have a kiosk and souvenir shop that offer crocodile leather products.
Information about tour prices and restaurant menu can be found here.
14. Appleton Park
Not far from Yeppoon Lagoon is Appleton Park. Let the kids run loose and burn their energy at this well-maintained park. The place is surrounded by shady trees and beautiful gardens. Onsite they have a kids’ playground and skating area.
Facilities include toilets, barbecue and picnic tables.
15. Keppel Kraken
This water play area and playground is another must-visit if you are travelling with young kids, especially on those hot summer days. The place features a plethora of sea creature sculptures which are very amusing for little humans.
There are plenty of shady areas for parents to sit back and relax while the kids are having the time of their lives.
There are picnic tables and BBQ areas on-site. The beach is just a stone’s throw away. Coffee and food options are also available just across the road.
16. Take a Sunset Cruise
After a busy day of swimming and sightseeing, it is time to relax and just watch in admiration the beauty of nature. Hop onboard a luxurious catamaran, sit back and bask in the sunset while enjoying a cheese platter with the rest of your friends and family.
You can choose from a variety of tour operators (Funtastic Cruises, Sail Capricornia, Keppel Bay Marina) to book a sunset cruise in Yeppoon.
17. Pineapple Rail Trail
This is a good alternative for other fun activities to do in Yeppoon. Originally constructed in 1909, this railway was used mainly for the transportation of pineapples. The track then closed in 2006. Fast forward to 2014, it reopened and is now popular for walking, jogging and cycling.
Stretching four and a half kilometres, this flat walking track is great for families. Kids can bring their scooters or bicycles along. You can also opt for a pleasant walk while reflecting on the history of the rail trail.
18. Go Camping
There is always something about camping and going back to basics that excite the kids and even us, adults. There are so many camping options to choose from in and around Yeppoon.
You can opt for free camping, beachfront sites, or more expensive campgrounds with a variety of facilities such as a swimming pool, water slide, jumping pillow, kids’ playground, bicycles and scooters for rent, kids’ game room and whatnot.
Our personal favourites are NRMA Capricorn Holiday Park and Discovery Parks Coolwaters, as they have great facilities to keep the kids entertained.
You can book these holiday parks or your preferred accommodation in Yeppoon by clicking the link below:
19. Kayaking and Paddle Boarding
You can rent or bring your own kayaks and paddleboards as Yeppoon has popular beaches, creeks and estuaries to enjoy these activities. Causeway Lake, Kemp Beach, Cooee Bay, Waterpark Creek, Hedlow Creek, are just a few of these hotspots.
20. Go Four-Wheel Driving
Warm up your engines and bring your 4WD to the long stretch of sand north of Farnborough Beach! Sandy Point is popular for 4-wheel driving if you want a relaxing drive along the beach.
In addition, there are so many places to explore at Byfield National Park, which is mostly 4WD-accessible.
21. Bluff Point Walking Track
From the car park, you can choose to do the shortest walk which is the Turtle Lookout (700 metres), if you get lucky you can spot turtles swimming close to the beach. Not far ahead is the Ritamata Outlook which is only 720 metres from the car park.
Otherwise, you can keep going to complete the whole 2.3-kilometre circuit. The walk boasts coastal views and stunning sceneries.
22. Rosslyn Bay and Fan Rock Lookout
This is just a short walk from the car park (700 metres return). Both are overlooking Keppel Bay and its nearby islands. Be impressed by the interesting fan-like rock formations moulded through time and enjoy the gorgeous view of the Keppel Bay Marina.
23. High Valley Dawn Permaculture Farm
A 10-minute drive from the town centre is this 140-acre property which is popular for its sustainable farm features. They offer farm tours every Sunday, showcasing a self-sufficient agricultural system and fresh and organic produce.
They house free-range animals such as ducks, chickens, cattle, and sheep, which makes the tour an enjoyable experience for kids, too.
After the tour, you can opt for a farm to table experience by trying out their highly-rated Beaches restaurant which is located at Rosslyn Bay and is only a 5-minute drive from the farm.
Day Trips from Yeppoon
Now that we have covered most of the things to do in Yeppoon, let us have a look at nearby towns to add to your list of adventures.
24. Emu Park
A laidback town located 21 kilometres south of Yeppoon. This is home to the popular Singing Ship. It makes a good stopover for a day trip if you are planning for a slow-paced and relaxing day out. This lovely little town boasts beautiful beaches, parks and good fishing spots.
25. Rockhampton
Known as the beef capital of Australia due to its vast beef production, never leave Rocky without trying a steak.
The 45-minute drive from Yeppoon would also be worth it by visiting some popular places in this town-the Botanic Gardens, Rockhampton Zoo, Heritage Village and Mount Archer to name a few.
26. Capricorn Caves
We highly suggest dropping by Capricorn Caves for a cave tour while you are in Yeppoon. The Caves is a 40-minute drive from Yeppoon, offering different tour types which vary in duration and difficulty level. You can choose from any of their tours depending on how adventurous you want to go.
We tried the Cathedral Cave tour which we highly recommend for beginners and young kids. The tour is very amusing for kids and adults alike. It lasts for 45 minutes, which was very informative and fun at the same time.
The kids enjoyed climbing up and down the cave stairs, ducking under beautiful rock formations and walking carefully through narrow gaps and tunnels and over suspension bridges.
There is a shop and cafe next to the cave and toilet facilities on-site.
27. Great Keppel Island
This island lies 15 kilometres off the coast of Yeppoon, which can be accessed by ferry via the Keppel Bay Marina. A day trip here is feasible, or you can stay for a night or two as they also have various accommodations on the island.
If you want to stay away from the crowd, a visit to the island would be great as it features secluded beaches and lots of water sports activities such as snorkelling, scuba diving, kayaking, kite surfing, jet skiing, and more.
28. Byfield National Park
Just 30 minutes north of Yeppoon is Byfield National Park. Due to its terrain, most parts of the national park are accessible by a 4WD only.
A perfect place to visit if you want to immerse yourself in nature as the place is brimming with hidden gems, unspoilt rainforest, swimming holes, long stretch of beaches, sand dunes and more.
Hidden Gems in Yeppoon
If you are up to seeing places off the beaten track, read further to discover more secret places Yeppoon has to offer.
29. Pumpkin Island
A 30-minute ferry ride from Keppel Marina, Pumpkin Island is one of Yeppoon’s hidden gems.
You can rent the entire island with a group of friends or family, or book a cabin for solitary relaxation. All of its five cabins have a private deck overlooking the beach. Expect to be swimming and snorkelling in crystal clear waters and chilling on cocktails at sunset.
30. Nob Creek Pottery
A great place for lovers of arts, crafts and things handmade. They have an ample display of unique items, pottery and artwork in a range of colours.
Visitors get to watch a short film on how the potteries are made and can purchase unique and fascinating gifts and memorabilia. They also maintain a beautiful garden and picnic facilities.
31. Stony Creek
Head to the Upper Stony Creek Picnic Grounds and prepare to be mesmerized by one of Yeppoon’s best-kept secrets. Expect to swim in pristine freshwater surrounded by the rainforest.
You can visit here for a day trip or stay for a couple of nights at their spacious campsites.
Amenities include flushing toilets, firepits, picnic and BBQ areas and a day-use area.
Things to Do in Yeppoon at Night
A quiet night with only the sound of the waves is sometimes what we need, especially in this little coastal town. Here are a couple of things you can do at night, sans the bar hopping.
32. Stroll Along the Esplanade
After dinner, you can burn those belly fats by taking a quiet walk under the moon and stars on the esplanade. Along the way, there are good walking paths, seating and viewing areas and some great restaurants to try if you plan to have some dinner beforehand.
If you walk further ahead, a quick dip at the lagoon would not be a bad idea.
33. Watch the Stars at Spring Head Lookout
Don’t forget to pack some good food and a warm blanket before driving at the lookout as it does get cold and windy at night. Watching the moon and the stars while listening to the sound of the ocean is definitely something you do not want to miss.
Where to Eat in Yeppoon
There are a variety of cafes and restaurants in and around Yeppoon that offer mouth-watering menus. Here are a couple of our recommendations that we tried firsthand.
34. The Rocks Cafe Bar and Restaurant
Nestled adjacent to Yeppoon lagoon is The Rocks Cafe and Restaurant. It is conveniently located for anyone swimming in the lagoon. Parents can have coffee at the cafe for a start or buy ice cream and pizza for kids when they get tired and hungry from swimming.
They also offer lunch and dinner at the restaurant which we are yet to try but looks very promising.
35. The Waterline Restaurant
We spoke to a local while swimming at the lagoon and he recommended The Waterline Restaurant for lunch. No wonder the queue was long when we got here. The food is absolutely superb. It can get busy at lunchtime so it would be best to make a booking.
This is located at Keppel Bay Marina and offers a good range of food with waterfront tables and million-dollar water views. The good part is they are open for breakfast, lunch and dinner from Fridays to Sundays.
Frequently Asked Questions: Yeppoon, Queensland
I’m sure there are still some mind-boggling questions in your head about Yeppoon and its beaches. These are the common questions I asked prior to our trip.
Can you Swim in Yeppoon?
Yeppoon beaches are safe for swimming. Crocodile sightings are very rare, however, one should still be mindful of swimming conditions and croc warnings.
Can you Surf in Yeppoon?
When conditions are right you can still find great waves to surf on some of Yeppoon’s beaches. Farnborough, Kemp and Emu Park to name a few.
Moreover, people are anticipating the Surf Lakes Yeppoon Wave Pool to open to the public in 12-24 months’ time. This is predicted to become a huge surfing attraction. It utilises advanced technology to generate a number of different waves and sizes, suitable for beginners and experts alike.
Are there Stingers in Yeppoon?
Same as crocodiles, stingers do not frequent Yeppoon waters, but there can still be rare sightings. It is best to still be vigilant for stinger warnings on the beaches.
The Wrap Up: Things to Do in Yeppoon
Yeppoon proved to be one of our favourites during our Cairns to Brisbane road trip on a campervan. We decided to stop over here for three nights as our research showed it is a great place for families.
It turned out three days is not enough to enjoy this lovely town. The place definitely did not disappoint.
Read more about our Cairns to Kuranda Day Trip here for more Queensland adventures.
