Great Keppel Island Island
Coral-fringed island with beaches on Great Barrier Reef
Off Queensland's coast near Yeppoon, Great Keppel Island lies inside the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park-beaches, snorkelling, day trips, camping options and short bushwalks draw holidaymakers.
Great Keppel Island at a Glance#
Address: Great Keppel Island, Capricorn Coast, Queensland, Australia (approx. coordinates -23.17887, 150.95936)
Website: https://www.greatkeppel.com.au/
Hours: Open year-round
Admission: Entry to National Park areas may require fees; general island access is free (check operator fees for accommodation/transport)
How to Get to Great Keppel Island#
Ferries and private boats run regularly from Rosslyn Bay (near Rockhampton) to Great Keppel Island. The crossing takes around 40-50 minutes. There are also private charter operators for day trips and snorkeling excursions.
Tips for Visiting Great Keppel Island#
- Book accommodation and any 4WD hires well in advance during peak season (Dec-Feb).
- Take the inland walking trails early in the morning to avoid afternoon winds and see wildlife more easily.
- If visiting the southern beaches, check tide charts - some stretches of sand narrow dramatically at high tide.
Best Time to Visit Great Keppel Island#
May-September typically offers the most comfortable weather and calmer seas for diving and hiking.
Weather & Climate near Great Keppel Island#
Great Keppel Island's climate is classified as Tropical Savanna - Tropical Savanna climate with hot summers (peaking in January) and mild winters (coldest in July). Temperatures range from 13°C to 30°C. Abundant rainfall (1025 mm/year), wettest in March.
| Month | Comfort | Temp | Feels | Rain | Sky | Humidity | Wind | UV | Daylight |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| January | - | 22° - 30° | 26° | 148 mm | - | - | 5.3 m/s | - | - |
| February | - | 22° - 29° | 26° | 137 mm | - | - | 6.2 m/s | - | - |
| March | - | 22° - 29° | 25° | 178 mm | - | - | 5.2 m/s | - | - |
| April | - | 20° - 27° | 23° | 98 mm | - | - | 4.3 m/s | - | - |
| May | - | 17° - 24° | 21° | 79 mm | - | - | 3.6 m/s | - | - |
| June | - | 15° - 22° | 18° | 49 mm | - | - | 3.9 m/s | - | - |
| July | - | 13° - 21° | 17° | 44 mm | - | - | 3.6 m/s | - | - |
| August | - | 14° - 23° | 18° | 30 mm | - | - | 3.7 m/s | - | - |
| September | - | 16° - 25° | 20° | 21 mm | - | - | 4.2 m/s | - | - |
| October | - | 18° - 27° | 22° | 41 mm | - | - | 5.0 m/s | - | - |
| November | - | 20° - 28° | 24° | 69 mm | - | - | 5.1 m/s | - | - |
| December | - | 21° - 30° | 26° | 131 mm | - | - | 5.3 m/s | - | - |
