4 Awesome Day Trips from

Mix and match the highlights within each trip to suit your interests. Day Trip 1: Reef and Islands

Explore the underwater playground of the Southern . Swim, snorkel, and soak in the clear waters of the Keppel Islands.

Highlights:

• Pristine Reef • Abundant marine life • Sailing and cruising • Uncrowded beaches • White soft sandy beaches

SOUTHERN GREAT BARRIER REEF: Slip on your snorkel (or take a diving trip) and let coral gardens and marine creatures of all shapes and sizes captivate you. Marvel at the rainbow coloured reef fish, the gentle movements of the turtles, the silent beauty that surrounds you as you swim in the sparkling ocean playground that is the Southern Great Barrier Reef – one of the seven natural wonders of the world.

GREAT KEPPEL ISLAND: Bare feet and boardshorts could be mistaken for the formal dress code. Swim, snorkel and soak in the clear water of 17 different beaches on Great Keppel Island. Feeling adventurous? Try stand up paddle boarding, kayaking, tube riding and catamaran cruising.

PUMPKIN ISLAND: Looking for a “get away from it all” private paradise? Book one cabin or the whole island, then choose how busy you want to be. Laze in your hammock with a book and a beverage or try one of the many aquatic activities before ending your day with a cocktail in the Sunset Lounge.

SAILING AND CRUISING: Enjoy a memorable day cruising exploring the Islands, with pristine beaches and unspoilt coral gardens. Take a glass bottom boat tour, a lunchtime cruise or finish the day off with a spectacular sunset cruise. Sail away on board a luxury catamaran.

alone, let alone the rest of the islands in the surrounding Keppel Group.

Day Trip 2: Reef and Beef

By day explore the Southern Great Barrier Reef with a day trip to Great Keppel Island. By night enjoy a juicy steak, while watching the rodeo at the Great Western Hotel in .

Highlights:

• Beaches galore • Cruising and sailing • Water sports • Steak in the Beef Capital • Live indoor rodeo

GREAT KEPPEL ISLAND: Swim, snorkel and soak in the clear water of 17 different beaches on Great Keppel Island (There is 1454 hectares to explore!).

• BAREFOOT PARADISE: Bare feet and boardshorts could be mistaken for the formal dress code at Great Keppel Island Hideaway. Open for lunch or a cocktail at the bar, you might never want to leave. Great Keppel Island HIdeaway accommodation offers a back to basics affordable holiday experience

• WATERSPORTS: Great Keppel Island is a water sports paradise. Hire non- motorised equipment (such as snorkel, kayak and SUP) fishing gear. Take a guided snorkel and kayak tour.

• SAILING AND CRUISING: Enjoy a memorable day cruising exploring the Keppel Bay Islands, with pristine beaches and unspoilt coral gardens. Take a glass bottom boat tour, a lunchtime cruise or finish the day off with a spectacular sunset cruise. Sail away on board a luxury catamaran.

RODEO IN THE CITY CENTRE: . Once you arrive back on the mainland from the islands, its only a short drive to Rockhampton, the Beef Capital of Australia. It’s a must to taste a local steak. Experience the thrill of watching professional bull riders while you tuck into a juicy steak! The Great Western Hotel has a weekly live rodeo in their very own indoor arena. (Available on Wednesdays and Fridays).

Day Trip 3: A day in the rainforest

Discover the lush rainforests of Byfield and spectacular scenery of the surrounding parks and forests. Breathe in pure rainforest air, swim, kayak. Explore artisan crafts and pottery or cuddle a koala. Stay the night in rainforest cabins or pitch a tent alongside a flowing freshwater creek.

Highlights:

• Lush tropical rainforest • Flowing freshwater creeks • Bush walks • Local artisan pottery • Wildlife sanctuary

BYFIELD NATIONAL PARK: Just 25 minutes north from Yeppoon, you can discover the lush rainforests of Byfield and spectacular scenery of the surrounding parks and forests.

The Byfield National Park and State Forest abounds with wonderful scenery, rolling sand dunes, beaches, rainforest-edged creeks and rugged mountains. Byfield is rich with diversity and forms one of the largest unspoiled eco-systems on the east coast of Australia and is the exclusive home of the rare Byfield Fern.

NOB CREEK POTTERY: Nob Creek Pottery is set in the rainforest of Byfield and is a studio pottery producing fine work in the traditional style. Visitors can meet the artists, see the workshop and enjoy one of the largest displays of Australian and South East Asian craft work in the country. Fine examples of pottery, hand blown glass, jewellery, woodwork, sculpture, lacquer ware, paintings and other craft ensures there is something for everyone.

COOBERRIE PARK WILDLIFE SANCTUARY: At Cooberrie Park, you can cuddle a Koala, hold a Crocodile, Snake or Lizard, play with Birds, interact with playful Monkeys and hand feed Kangaroos! Located just just 28 minutes from Rockhampton and 15 minutes from Yeppoon Beach. During the daily animal show at 1pm, all visitors are able to hold a Snake, Lizards, Sugar Glider, Parrots and pat the Koala for photos, all included with admission! Animal encounters include Koala Holdings, Monkey Experiences, Macaw Holding, Crocodile Holding, Junior Zoo Keeper Program and VIP Reptile Experiences!

Day Trip 4: From a ship that is wrecked to a ship that sings!

Journey from Wreck Point Lookout to the Singing Ship memorial, taking in views, pristine beaches and some turtle spotting along the way.

Highlights:

• Beaches galore • Turtles • Magnificent views • Local history

SHIPWRECK: Wreck Point Lookout offers more than just spectacular views, it is the final resting site of the ill-fated schooner ship, the Selina. She had departed the Pine River north of Brisbane on 31 July 1847 bound for with a cargo of cedar logs and carrying a crew including Captain Cameron. Selina failed to arrive in Sydney and was not sighted again until she was found 15 months later near this spot, now known as Wreck Point.

BEACHES GALORE: Spend dreamy days exploring the laid-back vibe of seaside villages. Enjoy solo sun-lounging on beaches away from crowds. Swim in safe, calm waters and try beach fishing. There’s a beach for everyone! Every beach buff will find a favourite stretch of sand with so many family-friendly and dog-friendly options.

TURTLE LOOKOUT AT KEMP BEACH: Take the coastal walk at Kemp Beach for magnificent views across the sparkling ocean to the Keppel Islands at Bluff Point Lookout - and spot turtles swimming in the water beneath you.

ANZAC HISTORY: The reflective memorial boardwalk and its gateway gallery entry are the focal point to ‘The Centenary of ANZAC Memorial Walk’. The walkway is intended as an emotional reflective experience and provides a timeline of WW1’s many major battles of war.

SINGING SHIP: Continue your journey south along the coastal Scenic Highway, stopping at the townships of Emu Park and to explore their beautiful beaches and local attractions. Emu Park is home to the Singing Ship, a soaring white sculpture on the headland, designed as a monument to Captain Cook. Once an exclusive beach resort at the turn of the twentieth century, Emu Park is now appreciated as an idyllic seaside village and hub for local events.