Capricorn Coast Destinations
Beach towns, an island group on the Southern Reef and a wilderness of dunes and rainforest — the places that make up the Capricorn Coast, place by place.
The Destinations of the Capricorn Coast
The Capricorn Coast is a cluster of distinct places, each with its own character and all within an easy drive or ferry of each other — beach towns, an island group on the reef, and a wilderness of dunes and rainforest to the north. Here they are, one by one, with a guide to each.
Where to Go on the Coast
Towns, islands and wilderness.
Yeppoon
The coast's main town — the foreshore lagoon, Main Beach, Keppel Bay Marina, dining and markets.
Yeppoon → 🏝 The islandGreat Keppel Island
17 beaches, walking tracks and shore snorkelling on the Southern Reef's headline island.
Great Keppel → ⚓ Memorial coastEmu Park
The Singing Ship, the ANZAC headland walk and a quiet, family-friendly beach village.
Emu Park → 🌲 WildernessByfield National Park
Rainforest creeks, towering dunes and 4WD beaches north of Yeppoon.
Byfield → 🌊 The lookoutCooee Bay
The Yeppoon suburb crowned by Wreck Point, the coast's favourite lookout.
Cooee Bay → ⛵ The gatewayRosslyn Bay
The harbour and marina — your departure point for Great Keppel and the reef.
Rosslyn Bay → 🏝 The groupThe Keppel Islands
Around 18 islands beyond Great Keppel — North Keppel, Humpy, Middle and more.
The islands → 🎣 Quiet southKeppel Sands
A sleepy fishing village on the Fitzroy delta, all mangroves, mud crabs and birdlife.
Keppel Sands → 🗺 PlanWhere to Stay
Match a base to your trip — town, island, quiet coast or bush.
Where to stay →Capricorn Coast Destinations FAQs
What are the main places on the Capricorn Coast?
The two mainland towns are Yeppoon (the hub) and Emu Park, with the suburb of Cooee Bay between them. Offshore lies Great Keppel Island and the wider Keppel Bay islands; north is the Byfield wilderness, and the harbour at Rosslyn Bay is the launch point for the islands.
Which Capricorn Coast town should I base in?
Yeppoon for choice and convenience, Emu Park or the southern beaches for a quieter pace, Great Keppel for an island escape, or Byfield for the bush. See our where to stay guide.
Is Great Keppel Island a day trip or an overnight?
Both work — a day trip from Rosslyn Bay is easy and popular, but an overnight lets you have the beaches to yourself after the ferries leave. See our Great Keppel day trip guide.
What is there north of Yeppoon?
Byfield — a national park and state forest of rainforest creeks, towering dunes and 4WD beaches, with a tiny township, pottery and eco-retreats. See our Byfield National Park guide.
How many days do you need to see the coast?
A long weekend covers the towns and a Great Keppel day; four to five days lets you add the islands, Byfield and the caves. See our itineraries.
The Southern Reef, Sorted in One Call
Great Keppel Island, the Keppel Bay islands, Byfield’s beaches and the coast’s best days out — planned from Brisbane by the family that’s toured Queensland since 1974.
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