Exploring The Capricorn Coast of Queensland
A Solo Trip To The Capricorn Coast
A few years ago, on a backpacking trip around Australia, I spent a few weeks in Queensland and travelled by train for over 2000 km, crossing Queensland along the coast from beautiful Cairns down to Brisbane. After a short stay in North Tropical Queensland, I headed to Magnetic Island and from Townsville. I got on the Tilt Train to reach my next destination, Yeppoon on the Capricorn Coast.
Places to See on the Capricorn Coast
The Tropic of Capricorn, just halfway between Brisbane and Cairns, the Capricorn Coast is often overlooked or merely regarded as a stopover by road trippers on their way to more popular destinations like Cairns or the Whitsundays.
Rockhampton
I arrived in Rockhampton very early on a wet and quiet Sunday morning. By crossing the bridge over the Fitzroy River, I noticed its brown, rough water and the river banks still bearing visible signs of the devastation of the floods that hit Rockhampton two months earlier. Despite not having a solid appeal to visitors, Rockhampton boasts a beautiful botanical garden and the award-winning Dreamtime Aboriginal Cultural Centre.
Mount Jim Crow National Park
As soon as you drive out of town on the Capricorn Coast Road, magnificent scenery surrounds you, with the prominent features of the cone-shaped volcanic rock formations scattered on the vast green plains. You can visit Baga National Park, formerly known as Mount Jim Crow National Park, located between Rockhampton and Yeppoon Beach. This unique park is part of Mount Head Low and made of 12 volcanic trachyte plugs peculiar to this area.
I took this photo from the bus on the way to Yeppoon Beach. Despite not being a good-quality photo, you can still see the silhouette of a volcanic plug formation. This is a striking feature of the Capricorn Coast area, where the landscape changes dramatically from flat, soft plains to spiky, rugged hills and ranges.
From Yeppoon To Emu Park
On my visit to the Capricorn Coast, I enjoyed having someone show me around Yeppoon Beach and the whole area. A friend’s sister took me on a car drive along the coast, stopping by at several lookouts to view the panorama over the ocean and the many secluded bays and beaches. We stopped to enjoy the view over Cooee Bay and at the picnic area of the Capricorn Coast National Parks, where you can start various walking tracks, spot wildlife and native birds, and read about the fascinating geological formations that began millions of years ago.
Yeppoon Beaches
It’s just a short drive from Yeppoon Beach to Rosslyn Bay, a beautiful little boat harbour. You can get on the ferry and cross to Great Keppel Island. It was a gorgeous day, and we stopped there for a while, soaking in the warm sunshine while watching people angling.
The photo below was taken at Rosslyn Bay and shows the hexagonal trachyte pipes peculiar to this area’s volcanic formations.
From Rosslyn Bay, you keep driving through the Capricorn Scenic Highway along Kemp Beach to get to the Bluff Point National Park, and their 2km walking track takes you to a couple of lookouts. From the lookout, you can view Mulambin Beach and Causeway Lake. Kinka Beach is the last beach before reaching Emu Park.
It is a trendy place and a swimming spot among the locals. It is ideal for a family day out on weekends. This is where we had our lunch: prawns with fresh bread on the grass while listening to the Singing Ship. The weather changed over the hours from clouded to deep blue sky; as you can see from the photos below, some of the highlights of Emu Park—are the beautiful view over the ocean and Great Keppel Bay.
The Singing Ship
A white sculpture built as a memorial to Captain James Cook, the first European to set foot on the Capricorn Coast and discover the area. From this point, you can enjoy a great view of the Great Keppel Bay, stroll along the peaceful beach, or swim.
The Capricorn Coast is not only precious for its natural beauty, but it also has a rich agricultural and pastoral heritage. As soon as you leave the coastal heathland and drive inland, you will be surrounded by fruit plantations like this huge pineapple field you can see here below, and you will make lovely encounters like I did…with these “happy cows”.
Where To Stay in Yeppoon
Find the Yeppoon accommodation deals to explore the beautiful Capricorn Coast and stay overnight. Apartments and motels are available.
Guided Day Trips and Tours in Yeppoon
There is a good choice of guided glass-bottom boat tours to Great Keppel Island and more Capricorn cave tours.
Related Articles:
A Solo Road Trip Discovering North Queensland
Cairns Cheap and Free Things To Do
Best Day Trips From Cairns
All Places To See in Queensland
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First published in 2012, last updated in April 2024
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