Great Keppel Island Hideaway

Explore this beautiful slice of the Southern Great Barrier Reef, the best address on earth, just 30 minutes from the mainland. Great Keppel Island Hideaway accommodation is a back-to-basics, barefoot experience, offering an affordable island holiday for everyone including singles, couples, families and groups. Enjoy a digital detox with no Wi-Fi in your room and no TVs.

As the largest island in the Keppel Group, Great Keppel is situated just north of the Tropic of Capricorn and on Australia’s heritage listed Southern Great Barrier Reef. An island paradise where the ‘squeaky-clean’ white sand flows between your toes and the ocean sparkles before your eyes. Whether you’re visiting for a day, a few nights, or for a couple of weeks, you can’t fail to be impressed by the scenery or the relaxed atmosphere on the island.
 
RESORT & BEACH ACTIVITIES (fees may apply to some activities)
Snorkel hire, snorkelling tours, kayak hire, kayaking tours, stand up paddle board hire, bush walks, bird watching, dolphin spotting, whale watching (seasonal), scuba diving and fishing.
 
Beach Drop-Offs (weather permitting)
GKI Watersports & Activities can drop you off at one of the island's white sandy beaches or close, surrounding islands and pick you up at your requested return time. 
 
Nature Activities
Great Keppel Island is home to 17 pristine, white sandy beaches and its interior is rich with native flora and fauna, all waiting for you to explore. Island bush walking tracks disperse trekkers around the island to beaches or spectacular lookouts. These vary in duration and difficulty, from leisurely strolls to challenging hikes. Private coves and pockets of fringing reef are excellent for swimming, snorkelling and diving.
 
A nature lover's paradise, with over 90 species of birds identified including white-breasted sea eagles, brahminy kites, ospreys, pied oystercatchers, beach curlews, honeyeaters, rainbow bee-eaters, pheasant coucals, friarbirds, kookaburras and rainbow lorikeets. Dolphins are often seen close to the main beaches during winter months. Humpback whale numbers are increasing each year by 10 to 11%, with more being seen in Keppel Bay waters each season from April to November. Brush tail possums are numerous, as well as blue-tongue lizards and goannas.
 
RESORT FAQs
Self Catering - only available in Island Cabins, Beachfront Cabins, Putney Place and the Houses. If you are planning to self-cater you will need to bring everything you require over on the ferry.
The Garden and Palm Rooms DO NOT have any cooking facilities, cutlery or crockery available for use.
Bringing Your Own Food - you are welcome to bring an esky and your own food with you on the ferry, however the Bar and Bistro are open from 7:00am til late, serving breakfast, lunch, dinner and a range of snacks. 
Bore Water - the Island runs off bore water so you’re unable to drink the tap water in your room. Guests are provided with a 20L dispenser of Aussie Gold water in the room. If this runs out, please contact Reception before 2pm for a replacement.  
Groceries - there’s no grocery store on the island so if you are planning to self-cater, you will need to bring everything you require over on the ferry. Basic items such as bread and milk may be purchased subject to availability and mostly dependent on the delivery days. Reception stocks basic supplies if you forget your own.
Cash Out - an ATM is located within the Hideaway bistro. All island businesses accept credit and debit cards.  
Stingers - stinger season generally runs from November to May however Great Keppel Island doesn’t see them as often as further north. Stinger suits are not compulsory, however feel free to bring them along or hire from GKI Watersports and Activities.
What to Pack - toiletries, personal refillable water bottles, beach towels, insect repellent, sunscreen and comfortable walking shoes. A backpack is recommended if you are planning to explore the island for a whole day.
 
HOW TO GET HERE
Finding your way to Great Keppel Island will always take you through Rockhampton, located 40 kilometres or approximately a 45 minute drive from Yeppoon on the Capricorn Coast. Transport options to Rockhampton include private car, Qantas or Virgin Australia, Greyhound or Premier Buses and Queensland Rail.
 
Ferry Transfers
Keppel Konnections ferry service is your comfortable and fast way to visit Great Keppel Island. Please check in at the Keppel Konnections office, located in the car park next to the Waterline Restaurant / Keppel Bay Marina building, at least 30 minutes prior to scheduled departure.

Departs Keppel Bay Marina "Red Jetty": 7:30am, 9:00am, 1:00pm and 3:00pm daily.
Departs Great Keppel Island:  8:10am, 10:00am, 2:00pm and 4:00pm daily.

Please note:
- Baggage allowance: 1 piece of baggage per person (max 23kg). Excess baggage may incur an extra fee.
- Eskies over 40L will not be accepted due to manual loading and unloading off the ferry.
- All cruises are subject to sea and weather conditions in the interest of passenger safety.
 
Self Drive & Car Parking
From Rockhampton travel north to Yeppoon, and then onto Rosslyn Bay. Take the Yeppoon-Rockhampton Rd turnoff, just north of Rockhampton from the Bruce Highway.  A 30 minute drive will bring you to Yeppoon and the Capricorn Coast. Turn right along the Scenic Highway (the Capricorn Coast Tourist Organisation office is just on your left).  After a short ten minute drive you will be at the Rosslyn Bay Harbour turnoff.
 
Great Keppel Island Security Car Park is located at Rosslyn Bay.
Park your vehicle and a shuttle will take you to the ferry departure point.
To Book:  please contact [email protected] or phone 0488 004 785.