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 Keppel Bay is a broad sweep of water off the central Queensland
coast from Curtis Island to Corio Bay in the 'smooth and
partially smooth limits' for the chartering of bareboat yachts...
The picturesque Capricorn Coast, with its townships of Yeppoon,
Emu Park and Keppel Sands, fronts the bay.
Access to the islands is by boat only. Boat launch facilities
and bareboat chartering is available from Rosslyn Bay Harbour
with secure parking available nearby... The bareboat chartering
region of Keppel Bay is studded with islands. The two largest
islands, Great Keppel (1454ha)
and North Keppel (627ha), are surrounded by 16 smaller islands
and several prominent rocky outcrops. Keppel Bay Islands
National Park includes 15 islands, although it does not include
Great Keppel Island. Steep hills and cliffs, which plunge
into the sea, are features of the islands but there are also
sheltered bays and quiet sandy beaches... Vegetation ranges
from open grassland and heathland to tall, shady forests
and dense, low rainforests.
The Great Barrier Reef Marine Park surrounds the Keppel
Bay islands. Together they form part of the Great Barrier
Reef World Heritage Area, the world's largest reef and island
system. It is of exceptional beauty and biological diversity,
protecting many endangered animals and plants.
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Boating and fishing
Boating and fishing are popular activities for visitors to
Keppel Bay Islands National Park. Boat launch facilities and
charters are available from Rosslyn Bay Harbour... The Keppel
Bay islands and surrounding reefs are important sea turtle
habitat. Be vigilant when bareboat chartering to avoid injuring
turtles and marine life.
When boating remember:
- Anchorages around most islands are exposed and
have limited holding ability. The best anchorages
are at North Keppel and Great Keppel islands.
- Anchor with care, on sand when possible. If
you cannot avoid coral, use reef picks and motor towards
anchor when hauling in.
If fishing:
- Know your marine park zones. For detailed
zoning maps and information for State waters see Great
Barrier Reef Coast Marine Park and for Commonwealth
waters see the Great
Barrier Reef Marine Park Authority.
- Know your fishing regulations. Minimum
size and maximum bag limits apply to popular reef fish
species. Queensland fisheries legislation applies in zones
where fishing is permitted. Spearfishing is restricted
around North and Great Keppel islands.
Diving and snorkelling when bareboat
chartering
Diving and snorkelling are popular in this area. You can snorkel
on the fringing reefs at Mazie Bay (North Keppel), Olive Point
headland (Middle Island), Humpy Island or Miall Island. Diving
is particularly good on reefs surrounding North Keppel, Middle,
Miall and Conical islands... take care not to damage the fragile
coral.
You must be either a certified diver or under instruction
with a registered diving company to dive on the Keppel Bay
reefs.
When diving please remember:
- Be careful with your fins — careless
kicking can damage coral.
- Don't stir up sediment — murky
waters stress plants and animals.
- Spearfishing while using scuba gear
is prohibited.
North Keppel Island (627ha)
North Keppel Island is the national park's largest island.
Fringing reefs, nine beaches and a varied landscape of rugged
cliffs, steep grass-clad hills, windswept shrublands, woodland
and palm groves cater for a range of bushwalking and nature
appreciation activities... The anchorage off Considine
Beach is sheltered from all but westerly winds and a good place
to consider as an overnight anchorage for bareboat yachts.
Humpy Island (65ha)
Humpy Island lies just south of Great Keppel Island and is
the national park's most popular island for camping. Steep
slopes, covered mostly in grassland or stunted heath and shrubland,
descend to rugged rocky headlands along the southern shore.
A beautiful beach frames the western and northern sides and
offers easy access to diverse fringing coral reefs for snorkelling
if bareboat chartering.
Middle Island (65ha)
Middle Island lies just north-west of Great Keppel Island,
which shelters it from the prevailing south-easterly winds.
Heath and shrubland cover the slopes. Beaches border both sides
of the island between rocky headlands.
If you are bareboat chartering the reefs at Olive Point
headland in the north-east are good for snorkelling and diving.
The area is particularly vibrant and is protected from all
but northerly winds. Fish life here has been protected by
a marine park green zone since 1988 and is more diverse and
abundant than at any other shallow fringing reef in Keppel
Bay.
Miall Island (40ha)
Miall Island lies north-west of Middle Island and is covered
in heath and shrubland. Fringing reefs on the south-eastern
and northern sides of the island are very good for diving and
snorkelling and to be visited if bareboat chartering. The camping
area is behind the small beach and foredune to the south-west.
Conical Island (7ha)
This attractive, cone-shaped island rises to about 30m. Its
small size together with its stunning land and sea views makes
this island popular with couples and small family groups.
A picturesque, sandy beach on the southern side complements
the rugged, rocky platforms on the more exposed northern
and western sides. There are large coral bommies to the island's
west and within easy snorkelling distance from the beach.
Divided Island (8ha)
This inner island consists of two humps of rock with grassland
and a few she-oaks. A beach on the western side is a good picnic
and beachcombing area but sediment-loaded water from the Fitzroy
River inhibits coral growth, making it less favourable for
snorkelling.
Pelican Island (8ha)
Pelican Island is close to the coast near Emu Park. Grassland
and low vine thicket cover the island. Beachcombing on the
western side is interesting but coral growth around the island
is limited due to sediment in the water.
Great Keppel Island
Great Keppel Island is also called Wappaburra which means
'resting place'. There are some fantastic fringing coral
on the island as well as some amazing beaches... The best
beaches on the island include Fishermans beach, Long beach
and Putney beach, all on the eastern side of the island.
If bareboat chartering and you want to explore the waters
on your own then there are numerous places around the island
form where you can see coral. One great place however is
at Monkey Beach which is 30 minutes south of the resort.
Another option is to join one of the daily trips to a pontoon
at the northern tip of the island.
If you'd like to stretch your legs then there are plenty
of walking trails to choose from. Two walks include the rather
strenuous Bald Rock Point Walk, which is worth the effort,
and the Mt Windham Walk which offers great scenery.
The resort itself offers great facilities including a pool,
a small shop, numerous accommodation types and various restaurants.
Contiki Great Keppel Island Resort is the major place to
stay on the island offering a wide range of accommodation.
From Great Keppel Island you can also visit several of the
other 18 islands that surround the Great Keppel Island. Islands
include Halfway Island and its fabulous fringing coral, Humpy
Island and Middle Island which hosts an underwater observatory
looking out onto a fishing wreck.
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