This year marks a special milestone for Shell World Yeppoon – 20 years of delighting visitors with one of the most unique and captivating collections on the Queensland coast.
Located within the Tourist Information Centre, Shell World has grown into a treasured local attraction, showcasing more than 20,000 shells from marine, land, and fossil molluscs. Over two decades, it has become a place where curiosity and coastal heritage meet, offering visitors of all ages a chance to explore the extraordinary diversity of shell life from around the world.
Officially opened on Tuesday 16 May 2006, with CEO Mary Carroll from Capricorn Enterprise (Capricorn Coast Tourist Organisation) presenting the official opening speech, highlighting the attraction’s value to the growing Capricorn Coast tourism industry. Click here to read the official opening speech.
To celebrate its 20th birthday, Shell World is reflecting on the journey that has made it such a beloved destination. From its carefully curated displays to its fascinating exhibits of preserved marine life, corals, and intricate shell craft, the collection continues to inspire wonder in both locals and tourists alike. Children, in particular, are often captivated by the vibrant colours, shapes, and textures that fill every display.
Run predominantly by dedicated volunteers & members of the Keppel Bay Shell Club, Shell World has always been a true community effort. Their passion and knowledge bring each exhibit to life, ensuring every shell is fully documented and thoughtfully presented. Over the years, this commitment has helped transform the attraction into both an educational experience and a celebration of marine biodiversity.
Visitors are warmly welcomed every day, with entry maintained as a gold coin donation—ensuring that everyone has the opportunity to explore this coastal treasure. The centre also offers a range of shells, shell craft, and handmade items for sale at reasonable prices, supporting the ongoing work of the volunteers and the continued care of the collection.
As Shell World Yeppoon celebrates 20 years, it stands as a reminder of the beauty of the natural world and the power of community dedication. Whether you are a long-time local or a first-time visitor, stepping inside feels like entering a small, carefully preserved world of coastal history—one shell at a time.
A Tradition of Celebration: The Shell Show Returns
Alongside this 20-year celebration, the Keppel Bay Shell Club continues its long-standing tradition of hosting the annual Shell Show, with the 57th Annual Shell Show set to take place on 11–12 July 2026 at the Gus Moore Pavilion, Yeppoon Showgrounds.
This much-anticipated weekend brings together collectors from across Australia and overseas, showcasing high-quality shells in competitive and educational displays. Visitors can enjoy dealer stalls, shell crafts, books, and light refreshments.
Shell Show History (as told by Stella Coucom, daughter of Founder and Patron, Ena Coucom)
In 1967, the Keppel Bay Shell Club decided to hold an international Shell Convention and the first Shell Show, in the Yeppoon Town Hall, when it was quite new. With the help of the Sydney Shell Club, we advertised world wide, which bought about amazing results. There were hundreds of visitors from interstate, and overseas countries as well as our local collectors. The official opening of the Convention was performed by the then Premier of Queensland, Mr. Nicklin!.
The two days of the Shell Show was supplemented with arranged shell collecting expeditions, which included at least one to the Great Barrier Reef. Our organisational skills were tested to the very limits. It was the highlight of many visitors lives to be able to experience shell collecting in such exciting, world renowned areas and all were extremely happy with the outcome of the trips, to the extent of many wanting to know when the next trips and Shell Convention was to be.
The second was to be held in 1970. Soon after this successful event was ended, preparations for the shell show the following year, started, and the amount of work needed to organise one, even now, means this trend continues. One ends and we get ready for the next one.
After the first convention and shell show it was decided to hold Shell Shows annually at the Town Hall and in 1970 the Club held the second World Convention and Shell Show, which because of the extreme work load on the local club members , was also the last convention. An annual shell show was definitely the way to go ahead. In 1971 a club house was purchased and after a few years and lots of working bees, it eventually became our venue for Shell Shows. Many trays of beautiful, rare and unusual shells were displayed on the tables inside and there were tents erected outside on the lawn for the dealers and stall holders and it was often a feature of these shows for it to rain.
Each Shell Show has seen the return of collectors, dealers and enthusiasts from places like New Zealand, America, Singapore and New Caledonia and all of our Australian states. It is like a annual family reunion. The common denominator is of course the love of shells.
We have all made many firm friends over the years and look forward to seeing them all. Each year there seems to be new shells introduced to the collectors by dealers and such ,and the excitement never dwindles. The high quality of the exhibits has been maintained over the years and are a wonder to see. In 1991 our Club was selected by the Conchologists of America, to award the COA award to an entry which most furthers the interest in shell collecting and inspires new collectors. We are still presenting this prestigious award each year and the recipient received a badge and plaque. The first was won by our long-standing member, Jean Offord.
