Discover the beauty of Great Keppel Island by foot
Posted on July 30th, 2019
We all know that Great Keppel Island located on the Southern Great Barrier Reef is without a doubt one very special place to be. Simply set one foot on this spectacular island paradise where the squeaky-clean sand slides between your toes and the clear ocean glistens before your eyes, and your worries and stresses will soon fade into the distance.
Most days, it will be difficult to muster up too much energy which is primarily what this ‘resting place’ is for, but we encourage you to spark your day with adventure by strapping on a pair of comfortable walking shoes, and discovering some of the hidden beauties on offer…which are only accessible by foot.
The 1454ha landscape of Great Keppel Island has 17 stunning beaches to explore and is laced with a web of picturesque walking trails ranging from a 15minute beach stroll to a 15kilometre hike to the lighthouse at the Island’s tip.
The network of walking tracks disperses trekkers around the island to secluded beaches or spectacular lookouts featuring 17 other Keppel Bay Islands along with the star of the show – the brilliant Southern Great Barrier Reef.
Capricorn Enterprise CEO, Mary Carroll is encouraging the local community to get out and explore our beautiful Great Keppel Island, just a short ferry ride from Keppel Bay Marina in Yeppoon.
“Depending on your level of interest or ability, there is certainly a walking adventure for everyone,” said Ms Carroll. “As with many of our Capricorn Coast adventures, the experience is in the journey – not just when you reach the destination. Along each track you will be sure to come face to face with friendly local fauna and flora, making every step exciting and unpredictable. Enjoy the breathtaking vistas and historic sites that this exquisite exploit has to offer.”
“Whether you are local to the region or visiting the region on holiday, we invite you to be enriched by the beauty of Great Keppel Island, and put aside some time to get back to nature and explore the interior of this popular hiking destination.”
- The Lookout Trail For those eager to kick start the morning with a moderate walk, The Lookout Trail is 2.6 kilometres and will take approximately one hour. The walk commences at the water sports hut on Fisherman’s Beach and takes you to the ridge top shelter where you will experience excellent views to the West.
- Monkey Point (including Long Beach) This two-hour hike will pass you through a historic shell midden left by our Aboriginal ancestors. Admire the lush sub-tropical vegetation of the beach and keep a lookout for parrots and seabirds. Take your snorkel gear and allow time for a plunge – Monkey Beach is well protected from the south easterly winds and is one of the islands best snorkelling spots. Admire the new boardwalk at Monkey Beach which was recently upgraded to protect many hundreds of years of memories for the Woppaburra people. This special project was a collaboration between Bunnings, Landcare Australia, Woppaburra Elders, Capricornia Catchments, Gen Yadaba and Livingstone Shire Council.
- Leeke’s Beach Circuit Follow the trail from Fisherman’s Beach through beautiful bushland and out to the beach on this moderate 3.8kilomentre return journey. You will feel like you have arrived on your own deserted island so take a deep breath and take it all in. Leeke’s Beach is one of the more spectacular and larger beaches on the island.
- Mount Wyndham Circuit Discover amazing 360 degree views of the island and Wyndham Cover on this 3.5 hour trek. Mount Wyndham is the island’s highest point and the trail can be steep in places.
- Clam Bay Trail Finishing on a hill overlooking the beach, the Clam Bay Trail is a moderate track which will take approximately 4 hours to complete. The 10.6 kilometre return trail incorporates flat and easy walking, along with some steep inclines and descents to and from your lookout.
- The Lighthouse Put aside the whole day for this mighty island adventure! Not for the faint hearted, this trail will enable you to explore Great Keppel Island’s outstanding natural beauty with an abundance of discoveries to see along the way. The 15.4kilometre return trip features steep elevations with spectacular lookouts – but you will be too busy being immersed in nature to realise you’ve trekked all that way!
Winter on the Tropic of Capricorn is the perfect time to don your hiking boots and start your walking adventure at Great Keppel Island. Wherever your journey leads, exploring the stunning landscape via foot is an ideal way to enjoy the views, nature and local attractions. Download our map of Great Keppel Island here.
Sleep, Eat and Play… Once you’ve lifted the heart rate and completed the exercise hard yards, Great Keppel Island’s Accommodation, Restaurants, Bars and Bistros, water sports and tours await you. Find out more via the links below…
Great Keppel Island Holiday Village
GKI Watersports and Activities
