Separated by less than an hour's drive, a sun-drenched holiday to Rockhampton and Yeppoon promises plenty of variety and bucketloads of entertainment.
You could spend a whole day exploring pristine beaches, islands, and hiking trails along Queensland's Capricorn Coast.
Image Credit: Yeppoon - Reuben Nutt, Tourism and Events Queensland
Next thing you know, you're wandering through gardens, galleries, and museums around the city.
Image Credit: Rockhampton Museum of Art - Appleton Studios, Tourism and Events Queensland
Best of all, there are five G'day Parks in the region, whether you want to stay near the CBD or the golden shoreline.
Image Credit: Discovery Parks - Coolwaters
Keen to know more about this beautiful part of Australia? We've put together a list of our favourite Yeppoon and Rockhampton attractions to well and truly get you excited for your next tropical getaway.
Day Trip to Great Keppel Island
Image Credit: Great Keppel Island - Matt Raimondo, Tourism and Events Queensland
To reach the stunning Great Keppel Island, catch a ferry from Keppel Bay Marina at Rosslyn Bay. Book your half-hour journey across the water with Keppel Konnections or Freedom Fast Cats (or take a day or sunset cruise with Funtastic Cruises). Then, once you dock on the island, enjoy bushwalking, stand-up paddleboarding, beaching around, and snorkelling in the Southern Great Barrier Reef.
Yeppoon Lagoon
Image Credit: Yeppoon Lagoon - Mark Fitz, Tourism and Events Queensland
The Yeppoon Lagoon is a free, 2500-square-metre pool with an infinity edge overlooking the ocean and islands. It is patrolled seven days a week to provide a safe swimming option, with a shallow zone for kids to play, an informal lap swimming area, and a convenient location right next to a café, bar, and restaurant. Everyone loves a visit to this showstopping lagoon pool!
Keppel Kraken
Image Credit: Yeppoon Lagoon - Appleton Studios, Tourism and Events Queensland
The Keppel Kraken is another water-play attraction that provides free, family-friendly fun. Located on the Yeppoon foreshore, this sea creature-themed splash park is full of water cannons, jets, and a tipping bucket, with nearby picnic tables and shady spaces.
Hit the Beach
Image Credit: Kemp Beach - Reuben Nutt, Tourism and Events Queensland
The Capricorn Coast is a feast for the eyes, boasting loads of scenic beaches. In Yeppoon, check out Main Beach, Farnborough Beach, Lammermoor Beach, Kemp Beach, and Mulambin Beach. Other beaches include Emu Park Main Beach, Fisherman’s Beach, Five Rocks Beach, and Keppel Sand Main Beach, plus the gorgeous shores along Great Keppel Island. (Heads up: if you want to go for a dip, we recommend sticking to patrolled beaches and making sure it’s safe for swimming.)
Mount Hay Gemstone Tourist Park
Image Credit: Mount Hay Gemstone Tourist Park - Appleton Studios, Tourism and Events Queensland
Mount Hay Gemstone Tourist Park is a globally recognised destination for thunderegg fossicking in the remains of an extinct volcano. Thundereggs are spherical rocks containing intricate crystalline formations, which are formed by siliceous liquids filling gas pockets in the rock. The result? A truly special and totally unique souvenir! Open all week, you can fossick for treasures and then have a few stones cut for free as part of your admission cost.
Rockhampton Museum of Art
Image Credit: Rockhampton Museum of Art - Sean Scott, Tourism and Events Queensland
Rockhampton has a thriving arts culture and public art trail. To dig further into the region’s creativity, check out the Rockhampton Museum of Art. Blending international artwork, touring exhibitions, local artistry, and interactive experiences, it’s a must-see Rockhampton attraction when exploring the vibrant riverside precinct.
Kershaw Gardens
Image Credit: Kershaw Gardens - Rockhampton Regional Council
On the other side of the Fitzroy River, Kershaw Gardens lies just past Rockhampton’s city centre with a waterfall, wetlands, rainforest areas, sensory garden, and an off-leash dog zone. There are plenty of opportunities to play, from the playground to the water play area, but the nine-metre-tall Wyatt’s Wonder Web is a highlight for children and adults alike. Climb through ropes, ladders, tunnels, slides, and swinging hammocks for the ultimate serotonin boost.
Rockhampton Botanic Gardens and Zoo
Rockhampton’s Botanic Gardens are packed with lovely plant collections, an all-abilities playground, and even a free zoo. The Rockhampton Zoo features a large variety of native and exotic animals, so families and nature lovers especially enjoy wandering through the grounds.
Koorana Crocodile Farm
Image Credit: Koorana Crocodile Farm - Appleton Studios, Tourism and Events Queensland
Ready to meet more than 3000 crocs at Koorana Crocodile Farm? They run two public tours every day at 10.30am and 1.00pm to see the farm, watch a croc feeding, and even get a hands-on photo opportunity with a small crocodile. From February to May, you could even time your visit with the incredible experience of watching baby crocodiles hatch!
Cooberrie Park Wildlife Sanctuary
Image Credit: Cooberrie Park Wildlife Sanctuary - Appleton Studios, Tourism and Events Queensland
See the incredible animals at Cooberrie Park Wildlife Sanctuary. During their daily animal show at 1.00pm, you can hold a snake, parrot, skink, or dragon for free! They also have paid koala and crocodile holding experiences, or you can buy a bag of food to hand-feed kangaroos around the park.
Capricorn Caves
Image Credit: Harp Cave - Capricorn Caves, Tourism and Events Queensland
Explore the magnificent Capricorn Caves, where guided tours leave every hour. Don’t miss the spectacular rock formations (and acoustics!) of Cathedral Cave, the Zig Zag Passage, and the Colosseum on the Cathedral Cave Tour. You can also extend your trip on a Capricorn Explorer tour to see even more hidden treasures.
Capricorn Coast Pineapple Rail Trail
Ride through tropical paradise on the Capricorn Coast Pineapple Rail Trail. This cycling journey passes native bushland and wildlife, starting in Yeppoon and leading to the local golf course.
Mount Archer National Park
Image Credit: Nurim Circuit Cultural Walks - Mad Dog Productions, Tourism and Events Queensland
Keen hikers will enjoy the various walking trails around Mount Archer National Park, including the challenge of climbing to the summit. The 500-metre-long, wheelchair-accessible Nurim circuit elevated boardwalk is a park highlight. This treetop boardwalk extends off the side of Mount Archer (Nurim) with sweeping views over Rockhampton and the Fitzroy River.
Byfield National Park
Image Credit: Byfield National Park - Hayley Andersen, Tourism and Events Queensland
Byfield National Park contains great bushwalking tracks past rainforest, swampland, foothills, and coastal scenery. With more than ten trails to explore, fishing opportunities along the coastline, and beaches primed for 4WDing, there are days of possible adventures. Don’t miss the local favourite freshwater swimming hole at Stony Creek.
Bluff Point Circuit
Image Credit: Bluff Point Track - Orin Lucke, Tourism and Events Queensland/Blink Photography
Another favourite coastal walking track is the Bluff Point Circuit in Capricorn Coast National Park, accessed from the Kemp Beach Picnic Area carpark. The short but steep 600m journey up to Turtle Lookout is worth it for the island and ocean vista (and as the name suggests, you might even spot sea turtles swimming below!).
The Centenary of ANZAC Memorial Walk
Along the scenic coast of Emu Park, you can experience a moving tribute to the country’s ANZAC soldiers. Walk and learn about the battles of Gallipoli, the Somme, Fromelle, Lone Pine, and more with sea views in the background. The Gatehouse is the centrepiece of this memorial walk, with floor-to-ceiling storyboards and local portraits. Plus, keep an eye out for The Singing Ship monument.
Rockhampton Heritage Village
Image Credit: Rockhampton Heritage Village
Step back in time at Rockhampton Heritage Village, a faithful collection of original and reproduced heritage buildings, memorabilia, and artefacts showing what life in Rockhampton looked like from the 1850s to the 1950s (including a shearing shed, post office, fire station, and vintage vehicles). There are plenty of other great places to delve into the town’s local history, including the Marlborough Historical Museum and Emu Park Historical Museum.
Archer Park Rail Museum
Image Credit: Archer Park Railway - Paul Ewart, Tourism and Events Queensland
Built in the 1890s, the heritage-listed Archer Park Rail Museum displays incredible renovated classic trains. A key experience is taking a ride on the restored Purrey Steam Tram, which runs on Sundays from 10am to 1pm.
Shell World Yeppoon
How's this for a one-of-a-kind collection? Right next to the Capricorn Coast Visitor Information Centre, Shell World Yeppoon exhibits more than 20,000 fascinating shells from all over the globe, open for a gold coin admission seven days a week.
Dreamtime Cultural Centre
Image Credit: Dreamtime Cultural Centre - Peter Lik, Tourism and Events Queensland
If you want to understand the bigger picture about Rockhampton’s Indigenous history and traditional owners, head to the Dreamtime Cultural Centre in Parkhurst. It is the home of stories, art, cultural tours, and community events on Dharumbal/Darumbal Country.
Markets
Image Credit: Yeppoon Community Market - Taste Capricorn Coast
Get your market fix with the best fresh produce and local creations at the region’s markets. Popular events include The Rocky Markets (every Sunday 6.00am to 12.00pm under Stocklands Shopping Centre), Fig Tree Creek Markets (first Sunday of the month from 6.00am to 12.00pm at Merv Anderson Park), Emu Park Lions Markets (third Sunday of the month from 8.00am at Bell Park), and the Yeppoon Community Market (every from Saturday 6.00am to 10.00am at the Yeppoon Show Grounds).
Play Golf
Image Credit: Yeppoon Golf Club - Vince Valitutti, Tourism and Events Queensland/Vince Valitutti
Bringing your clubs on holiday? Golfers can tee off at Yeppoon Golf Club, Rockhampton Golf Club, Emu Park Golf Club, North Rockhampton Golf Club, and Capricorn Resort Golf.
Rodeo and Bull Riding at Great Western Hotel
Image Credit: Great Western Hotel
Head to the Great Western Hotel in the heart of the Rockhampton city centre, where you can watch professional bull riding on select dates. Check their website for details about how to grab tickets to their next live rodeo shows.
Wreck Point Lookout
Between Cooee Bay Beach and Lammermoor Beach, Wreck Point Lookout offers a sparkling vista over the Capricorn Coast and Keppel Bay. It is named in honour of The Selina, a 62-tonne transport schooner that was washed ashore in 1848.
Where to stay?
G’day Parks has five parks located in and around Rockhampton and Yeppoon, whether you want to stay in the city or right beside the beach.
Discovery Parks - Rockhampton
Come for the sunshine and stay for the immaculate holiday park vibes at Discovery Parks - Rockhampton. Ten minutes north of the city centre, you’re close to all the must-see attractions, although you’ll have a hard time leaving the park with features like a water park, sports facilities, kiosk, go karts for hire, activity room, and palm tree-lined swimming pool. Powered sites can fit vehicles up to 12 metres long (ensuite and deluxe sites also available) and accommodation ranges from studios to eight-berth cabins.
Southside Holiday Village
Just down the road from the CBD and less than ten minutes from the airport, Southside Holiday Village is a true Rockhampton holiday oasis. We wouldn’t blame you for spending every available second in the shaded swimming pool, relaxing on the sun loungers beneath the palm trees, or playing tennis. Secure a powered site to camp among the lush grounds (with drive-through and ensuite options on offer) or book a cottage, villa, or chalet.
Keppel Sands Caravan Park
Those who like to take it slow will adore the relaxed pace at Keppel Sands Caravan Park. There is direct beach access and a public boat ramp moments away, so fishing folks especially love this secret haven tucked on the QLD coastline. The park has added a range of new features like crazy mini golf, pickleball courts, a plunge pool, and a dog wash for furry friends. Plus, the sunset view from your powered or unpowered site simply can’t be beaten.
Tasman Holiday Parks - Fisherman’s Beach
In the heart of Emu Park, Tasman Holiday Parks - Fisherman’s Beach is a tranquil holiday home base. Camp on a powered site, disconnect on an off-grid site, or check into an ensuite cabin. The park has a host of helpful facilities, the beach is on your doorstep, and the local shops, jetty, public pool, and Singing Ship monument are only a short walk away. You couldn’t ask for more!
Discovery Parks - Coolwaters, Yeppoon
From sites of all sizes to deluxe cabins, Discovery Parks - Coolwaters, Yeppoon has your getaway covered. The park is located south of Yeppoon near Mulambin Creek, surrounded by tropical bushland. There are heaps of in-park activities, including a splash park, swimming pool, bouncing pillow, pump track, water activities, tennis court, kids’ facilities, activity room, playground, and a boat ramp. Holidays simply don’t get cooler than this!
You'll have so much fun on your trip to Rockhampton, Yeppoon, and the surrounding Capricorn Coast.
Image Credit: Discovery Parks - Rockhampton
For the perfect mix of natural wonders and family fun, book your next getaway on the G'day Parks app today! It's the best way to book in advance or on the go, with helpful search filters, last-minute availability, and easy-to-apply deals and discounts.
