A little town with a big heart, there are plenty of things to do in Yeppoon with kids. Located on the Capricorn Coast near Rockhampton, Yeppoon is your gateway to the southern end of the Great Barrier Reef.
Here are some of the best family-friendly things to do in Yeppoon.
Quick answer: What are the best things to do in Yeppoon?
If you’re visiting Yeppoon with kids, don’t miss:
- Yeppoon Lagoon
- Great Keppel Island
- Keppel Kraken
- Bluff Point Walking Track
- Capricorn Caves
- Cooberrie Wildlife Sanctuary
- Koorana Crocodile Farm
- Byfield National Park
Whether you’re looking for free activities, beaches or wildlife experiences, Yeppoon has plenty of family-friendly attractions.
Yeppoon attractions: Quick comparison
| Attraction | Best for | Cost |
|---|---|---|
| Yeppoon Lagoon | Swimming & families | Free |
| Great Keppel Island | Marine life | $$ |
| Beaches | Relaxing & sand play | Free |
| Singing Ship | Sightseeing | Free |
| Cooberrie Wildlife Sanctuary | Animal encounters | $$ |
| Bluff Point Walking Track | Views & hiking | Free |
| Koorana Crocodile Farm | Wildlife experiences | $$ |
| Explore Rosslyn Bay Harbour | Waterfront dining & views | Free |
| Upper Stoney Creek | Swimming hole | Free |
| Byfield National Park | 4WD adventures | Free |
| Keppel Kraken | Young kids | Free |
| Capricorn Caves | Adventure | $$ |
| Shell World | Budget attraction | Gold coin donation |
| Yeppoon Community Markets | Local produce | Free entry |
| Mount Archer | Scenic views | Free |
15 of the best things to do in Yeppoon with kids
Swim at the Yeppoon Lagoon (top free thing to do in Yeppoon)
Swimming at the Yeppoon Lagoon is one of the best free things to do in Yeppoon with kids. This 2,500 SQM lagoon pool features a swim-up infinity edge with great views across to the Keppel Islands. There is also a shallow children’s area, sun lounges on the grass, and a kiosk.
Yeppoon Lagoon is patrolled by lifesavers and is open from 6 am to 9 pm daily in summer and 8 am to 6 pm daily in Winter. Although entry to the Yeppoon Lagoon is free, parking near the lagoon costs $2-$2.50 per hour. If paying for parking irks you, you’ll find free parking 800m away at the Yeppoon Town Centre Carpark.
Visit Great Keppel Island (one of the best things to do in Yeppoon)
No visit to Yeppoon is complete without a trip to Great Keppel Island. Just a short ferry ride from Rosslyn Bay, the island is home to beautiful beaches, walking trails, snorkelling spots and some of the clearest water on the Capricorn Coast.
Families can spend the day swimming at Fisherman’s Beach, hiking to secluded bays, spotting turtles and tropical fish while snorkelling, or simply relaxing with lunch at the Great Keppel Island Hideaway. If you’re feeling active, make the walk to Monkey Beach, one of the island’s best snorkelling spots, where you may see colourful coral, reef fish and even the occasional turtle.
Whether you’re looking for adventure or simply want to enjoy a laid-back island day, Great Keppel Island is easily one of the top attractions near Yeppoon.
Relax on a beach
There are at least 10 beaches between Yeppoon and Emu Park, and most of them are pretty nice. The tide is fairly extreme here, meaning that when the tide goes out, it often goes right out. This is great for young kids who are happy playing in the sand and splashing around in the ocean puddles.
Yeppoon Main Beach, Kemp Beach, Kinka Beach and Emu Park Beach are all popular spots, but if you would like to cruise along the sand in your 4WD, Farnborough Beach is where to head. Cruising Farnborough Beach in your 4WD is one of the most memorable things to do in Yeppoon with kids.
See the Singing Ship at Emu Park
Around 15 minutes down the road from Yeppoon is Emu Park and the well-known Singing Ship. Set in a great location, against the backdrop of the ocean and Great Keppel Island in the distance, the ship has concealed pipes that produce musical sounds when the wind blows through them.
The ship commemorates the historical explorations of Captain James Cook, who discovered this area in May, 1770. From the Singing Ship, stroll the Memorial Walk down to the Gatehouse and Anzac Court. Nearby, you will find a small park for the kids and the northern end of Emu Park Main Beach. This is one of the great things to do in Yeppoon with kids when you’re on a budget or want a chilled-out day.
Visit the Cooberrie Park Wildlife Sanctuary
The Cooberrie Park Wildlife Sanctuary cares for sick, injured or orphaned animals to be later released back into the wild. They do this without government assistance, so your support in visiting is much needed! This is a great family day out where you can pet, feed and interact with koalas, kangaroos, birds, possums, snakes, reptiles and more.
Don’t miss the animal show at 1 pm, and if you plan to visit during the school holidays, ask them about their Junior Zoo Keeper program. This will be one of the kid’s favourite things to do in Yeppoon!
Do the Bluff Point walking track & stop at Turtle Lookout
Park your car at the southern end of Kemp Beach for the Bluff Point Walking Track, a 2.3km circuit with great views of the Keppel Islands. The track goes steadily upwards, so expect a bit of huffing and puffing for those not used to inclines. This is for those looking for active things to do in Yeppoon with kids!
Along the way, you will find Turtle Lookout, where you will hopefully spot the green sea turtles popping their heads out at the nearby rocks and then ducking back down again. If you don’t wish to do the full circuit, just hike to Turtle Lookout and make your way back down. However, I recommend doing the whole walk as the views from the top are great.
Tour the Koorana Crocodile Farm
Established in 1981, Koorana Crocodile Farm was Queensland’s first commercial croc farm and now has over 3,000 crocodiles. Visitors can book a fully guided tour (up to 1.5 hours) where they will learn about croc behaviour, walk the farm, see croc feeding and have a photo opportunity with a small croc.
From February to May, baby crocodiles usually hatch, and expected dates can be found on their website.
Explore Rosslyn Bay Harbour
Located just a few minutes south of Yeppoon, Rosslyn Bay Harbour (Keppel Bay Marina) is the departure point for ferries to Great Keppel Island and one of the most picturesque spots on the Capricorn Coast. Take a stroll along the waterfront, admire the boats in the marina, or enjoy a meal overlooking the bay.
The marina is also a great place to spot pelicans, watch fishing boats come and go, and enjoy views across Keppel Bay. If you’re planning a day trip to Great Keppel Island, arrive a little early and take some time to explore the area before boarding your ferry.
With cafes, restaurants and ocean views, Rosslyn Bay Harbour is a relaxing place to spend an hour or two while exploring the Yeppoon region.
Swim in Upper Stoney Creek and stay for a picnic (one of the best things to do in Yeppoon with kids)
Located in the Byfield State Forest, Upper Stony Creek is a beautiful swimming hole with a large open campground, surrounded by pine forests and eucalypts. A short 1km stroll takes you along the creek, and the day-use area can be found directly on the left after crossing the bridge over the creek.
Part of the road is unsealed on the way in; however, unless the weather has been wild, it’s still accessible by a standard vehicle.
Tackle the 4WD tracks at Byfield National Park
Nearby to Byfield State Forest is Byfield National Park, which offers 4WD fun on both inland tracks and the beach. You will need to tackle Big Sandy on the first track, a one-kilometre sand dune that weeds out those who aren’t yet worthy of sand driving. Once you get past it, you’ll be able to enjoy the Stockyard Point Track, Death Valley Track and the Southern Access Track, which will spit you out on Nine Mile Beach.
While you’re cruising the beach highway, keep an eye out for a sign pointing inland to the Orange Bowl. The Orange Bowl is a sand dune area in which you can climb up and slide down. This is another of my favourite things to do in Yeppoon with kids.
Splash around at Keppel Kraken
Young kids will love the Keppel Kraken, a free water play feature on the Yeppoon Foreshore. It’s located near the retail and dining precinct, so grabbing a coffee or ice cream is no problem. The Keppel Kraken features a water cannon, jets and a unique umbrella bucket and is a pretty chill way to beat the summer heat. It’s one of the best things to pass the time in Yeppoon with younger kids.
Explore the Capricorn Caves
Around 35 minutes from Yeppoon are the Capricorn Caves at Mt Etna Caves National Park. The caves are privately owned and can only be explored by guided tour.
The Cathedral Cave Tour is the most popular, going for around 45 minutes and showcasing the largest and most spectacular caves. The Capricorn Explorer goes a bit more off the beaten path, visiting the Deep Vault Cave and The Flowerpot with helmets and headlights to guide you. The Capricorn Adventurer is for ages 10 years and up and is a step out of your comfort zone, exploring the most remote sections of the caves with a headlamp.
Check out Shell World
Shell World can be found at the Yeppoon Tourist Information Centre, which features a display of over 20,000 shells. The shells include marine, land and fossil molluscs, some of which are incredibly pretty. People of all ages will enjoy this display and both shells and craft items are on sale. Entry is a gold coin donation, so make sure you have some loose change.
Stroll the Yeppoon Community Markets
The Yeppoon Community Markets are held every Saturday from 6 am to 10 am at the local showgrounds, and it is here that you will find all things grown, homemade and home-baked. The market is well worth a visit to pick up fresh locally grown fruit and vegetables, as well as the opportunity to see local designers and artists.
Take in the sunset from Mount Archer
Just before sunset, take a drive up to Mount Archer (just under 40 minutes from Yeppoon) to take in the sunset from the highest peak overlooking Rockhampton. At 604m above sea level, there is a great boardwalk to showcase the views. Don’t worry if you can’t make it for sunset, Mount Archer is lovely at any time of the day!
Is Yeppoon worth visiting?
Yes. Yeppoon combines beautiful beaches, free family attractions, easy access to Great Keppel Island and outdoor adventures ranging from snorkelling and hiking to crocodile farms and caves. It is one of Queensland’s most underrated family holiday destinations.
Free things to do in Yeppoon
Some of the best free activities include:
- Yeppoon Markets
- Yeppoon Lagoon
- Keppel Kraken
- Bluff Point Walking Track
- Singing Ship
- Beaches
- Mount Archer
Where to stay in Yeppoon for families
The NRMA Yeppoon Holiday Park is amazing for families as it features an outdoor movie theatre, a giant water slide, jumping pillows and plenty of other fun stuff. If camping, the bathrooms are clean, and if you’re not camping, the bungalows are wonderful.
Read our full review of the NRMA Yeppoon Holiday Park for more information.
FAQs
Yeppoon is famous for its beaches, the Yeppoon Lagoon, Great Keppel Island and access to the southern Great Barrier Reef.
Most families should allow 3-5 days to enjoy the beaches, Great Keppel Island, Byfield National Park and nearby attractions.
Yes. Great Keppel Island offers beautiful beaches, snorkelling, hiking trails and easy ferry access from Yeppoon.
The Yeppoon Lagoon, Keppel Kraken, Bluff Point Walking Track, Mount Archer and the Singing Ship are all free.
The best time to visit is from April to October when temperatures are pleasant and humidity is lower.
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