1.  Snorkelling on the Southern Great Barrier Reef

Park Manager Kate’s favourite go-to when family and friends visit is to take them on an island-hopping snorkelling tour. The team at Coolwaters can book your tour for you so all you need to do is enjoy. Kate says it’s a great day out where you don’t need to plan anything or worry about entertaining anyone because your whole day is sorted with everything (including a really yummy lunch) organised for you. The Great Barrier Reef is stunning and you will lose count of the number of sea turtles you get to swim with. 

2.  Fishing on the Causeway Lake

Groundsman and resident ‘bush poet’ Bob Pacey loves noting better on his days off than to grab his gear and head off fishing in the Causeway Lake that backs onto Discovery Parks – Coolwaters, Yeppoon. The lake is a very popular fishing and recreational area and locals and visitors alike enjoy the area on their jet skis, stand-up paddle boards and kayaks. So when you come to visit, just ask Bob for directions to his secret spot! 

What fish can you catch in Yeppoon? Lots! Barramundi, red emperoror, Mangrove Jack, mackerel… the list goes on. It’s an anglers park.

Of course, it you’re tired after a day’s fishing looking for someone else to cook, The Strand Hotel in Yeppoon has recently had a makeover. Enjoy a schnitzel or fish and chips in their beer garden or beach bar.

3.  Yeppoon Lagoon and Skate Park

As a mum with three kids, Office Manager Ange says the Yeppoon Lagoon and Skate Park is her go-to for a free day out entertaining the kids. The lagoon area was a part of the recent Yeppoon revitalisation project and has been extremely popular with the locals, with a massive 2500 square-metre swimming area, skate park and BBQ picnic areas.

People occasionally ask “Can I swim in the water at Yeppoon?” and the answer is an unequivocal “yes”. The Lagoon and beaches are generally safe (but swim to the conditions and your ability, folks!) and stingers aren’t much of an issue. It’s also a great location for surfing. The main beach is 1.4km long.

4.  4 Wheel Driving

If you are interested in doing a day trip, Debbie, the park’s Assistant Manager, says her favourite thing to do is to go 4WDing up to 5 Rocks and Nine Mile Beach (just over an hour north of the park). Debbie says they are absolutely stunning areas you can only get to by 4WD so feel extremely untouched. And if you are a surfer, it is also the closest big wave beach. 

Update: Farnborough Beach is not just one of the longest beaches in the area, its sweet driving! But night driving permits and restrictions bans have been considered by the local Council, for safety reasons.

5.  Cooberrie Park

Debbie loves to take her grandkids to Cooberrie Park Wildlife Sanctuary, which is home to snakes, crocodiles, koalas, kangaroos, emus and more. The animals even came to visit us at Coolwaters over the school holidays, which big kids Ange and Ellen loved just as much as the kids! 

The Sanctuary also have monkeys (not native to Australia but still loads of fun), wombats and sugar gliders. And kids, they even have dragons! 

6.  Great Keppel Island

All the staff agree that Great Keppel Island is simply stunning! Kate says she isn’t much for exercise, so when she hikes, amazing views are a must to make it worth it. Great Keppel Island definitely delivers on the gorgeous walks front. You can get the ferry over for a day trip and do some great walks from the main beach, but you may also want to do a tour, as the best views can only be accessed by boat.

Great Keppel’s traditional owners are the Woppaburra people, who refer to it as Wop-pa. Enjoy a day trip from your Yeppoon park accommodation – it’s only  30 minutes away. The island is now owned by the State Government and plans are being drawn up for a multi-million dollar investment, including walking trails and boardwalks.

7.  Yeppoon is Dog Friendly! Dog friendly beaches and walks and restaurants.

All the staff are dog lovers, so everyone is a massive fan of walking their dogs on the beaches (though there is a debate amongst the staff which is the best)! Kate’s favourite is Lammermoor Beach, while Maggie’s is Kinka Beach and Debbie swears by Mulambin Beach. Everyone’s favourite restaurant, The Waterline, even has a great outside area where you can bring you dog to dinner with you! So bring your four-legged friend if you are staying on a site (unfortunately we don’t have any pet friendly cabins). For more reading on dogs in Yeppoon, this blog is also good reading. 

8.  Rosslyn Bay & Pebble Beach Lookout Picnics 

When Ange gets a chance to have a family day, she says there is nothing better than buying fresh seafood from Rosslyn Bay Marina and taking it for a picnic at the Pebble Beach Lookout. It is absolutely stunning there – and was even Ange’s wedding location!

We’re not the only ones who love this part of the world. Hiking The World has a very informative write-up on trails and views, with loads of photos, and includes details of the “wee Pebble Beach Peak”. 

9.  Live Music 

Housekeeper Keli’s favourite thing is the live music out and about in town. There is a great selection of places like Pie Alley Blues, The Glenmore Tavern, The Stand, The RSL or The Hideaway – they always have something on.

But the list doesn’t end there. Check out if anything is on at Queen St Hall and, of course, you can also rock on at Rocky (Rockhampton), which isn’t far away.

10.  Turtle Lookout 

Can I see turtles in Yeppoon? Yes, you can! Sharyn, Coolwaters’ Head Housekeeper loves taking her family to Turtle Lookout. She says it is an easy walk to do with the kids, with great views of the islands, and yes, you do even get to see turtles!

Whether you’re looking for the best of beachy views and outdoor adventure, or something fun the whole family can enjoy, make Discovery Parks – Coolwaters, Yeppoon top of your list for your next Queensland getaway.

And if this seems like a biased report rather than the favourites list of “locals in the know”, then take the advice of Australian Traveller, which describes Yeppoon as “the magical seaside town you have to see now”