A 13-year commitment to Great Keppel Island is entering its next chapter, with the local tourism operators behind Great Keppel Island Hideaway and Keppel Konnections establishing Keppel Ferry Co following the acquisition of Freedom Fast Cats’ Great Keppel Island ferry and tourism operations.
The acquisition will see selected passenger vessels and Great Keppel Island operations transition from the Allen family’s Freedom Fast Cats business to the locally owned operators behind Great Keppel Island Hideaway and Keppel Konnections.
Great Keppel Island Hideaway was purchased in 2013, followed by the establishment of Keppel Konnections in September 2015, providing passenger ferry services between Rosslyn Bay and Great Keppel Island.
Through cyclones, COVID-19 and the complexities of operating in an island environment, the group has continued to reinvest in its accommodation, facilities, vessels, people and visitor experience.
Great Keppel Island Hideaway General Manager Kelly Harris said Keppel Ferry Co was a natural next step in the group’s long-term commitment to the island.
“When we purchased Great Keppel Island Hideaway 13 years ago, we did so because we believed in the potential of the island and the future of tourism on the Capricorn Coast – and that belief is just as strong today,” Kelly said.
“Since then, we’ve continued to invest in the experience we offer, with Keppel Konnections becoming an important part of that journey in 2015.”
“Keppel Ferry Co is the next step, giving us an opportunity to build on what has already been established and continue improving the way visitors access and experience Great Keppel Island.”
That ongoing investment has helped establish Great Keppel Island Hideaway as one of the Capricorn Coast’s hero tourism experiences, with the property achieving ECO Certification through Ecotourism Australia in 2024, recognising its commitment to sustainable tourism practices.
Kelly said the acquisition also came with enormous respect for the legacy created by the Allen family and Freedom Fast Cats.
“The Allen family (Freedom Fast Cats) has made an enormous contribution to Great Keppel Island and the wider Capricorn Coast tourism industry over the past 27 years, connecting generations of locals and visitors with the island,” he said.
“We have tremendous respect for what they have built and are proud to have the opportunity to build on that legacy.”
Freedom Fast Cats commenced Great Keppel Island services in 1999 and has since carried hundreds of thousands of visitors across Keppel Bay.
Looking ahead, Keppel Ferry Co will explore opportunities to create a more seamless journey between the mainland and Great Keppel Island, including the potential for Great Keppel Island Hideaway accommodation guests to check in at Rosslyn Bay Harbour before boarding their ferry.
“We want to look at the whole experience through the eyes of the guest – from the moment they arrive at the harbour to boarding the ferry, arriving on the beach and settling into their accommodation,” Kelly said.
“If we can complete more of that process on the mainland and make their arrival on Great Keppel Island as simple as possible, that’s a better experience for our guests.
“Ultimately, this isn’t just about getting people onto a boat. It’s about making the entire journey to Great Keppel Island part of a great holiday experience.”
Capricorn Enterprise CEO Mary Carroll said Keppel Ferry Co represented another significant investment in the future of Great Keppel Island and the Capricorn Coast visitor economy.
“For more than a decade, the team behind Great Keppel Island Hideaway and Keppel Konnections has demonstrated a strong and ongoing commitment to Great Keppel Island,” Mary said.
“From achieving ECO Certification to continually investing in their accommodation, vessels, facilities and visitor experience, they have shown a clear long-term vision for one of our region’s hero tourism experiences.”
“Keppel Ferry Co is the natural next chapter in that journey and, importantly, continues the longstanding tradition of locally operated access to Great Keppel Island.”
Mary said creating a more connected visitor journey would also benefit the destination.
“Great Keppel Island is a cornerstone of our regional tourism offering, and the visitor experience begins well before people step onto the sand,” she said.
“Creating a seamless journey from Rosslyn Bay Harbour through to an island stay, backed by continued private investment in quality and sustainability, is incredibly positive for the destination.”
Kelly said Keppel Ferry Co reflected the group’s long-term outlook for Great Keppel Island.
“For us, Keppel Ferry Co isn’t the beginning of something completely new. It’s the continuation of what we’ve been working towards for more than a decade – investing in Great Keppel Island, improving the visitor experience and backing the future of this destination.”
