Whether you dream of barefoot comforts, off-grid eco-adventures, or a simple tent beneath the stars experience, the Capricorn Coast | Southern Great Barrier Reef in Central Queensland, Australia delivers island escapes tailored to your travel style.

With soft, sun-kissed beaches, crystal-clear waters and coral-wrapped coastlines, this is your chance to swap the everyday for extraordinary.

From exclusive lodges to charming beach shacks and national park campsites, here are four unforgettable island stays where you can slow down, switch off, and experience the Southern Great Barrier Reef your way.

1. Great Keppel Island

Just a 30-minute ferry ride from Yeppoon with Freedom Fast Cats or Keppel Konnections, Great Keppel Island (Woppa) is where laid-back island time meets natural beauty. With 17 beaches, clear waters, and two welcoming accommodations—Great Keppel Island Hideaway and Great Keppel Island Holiday Village—you'll find the perfect base.

Things to Do:

• Snorkel straight off the beach among vibrant coral and fish
• Bushwalk to lookout points offering panoramic views
• Hire a kayak or paddleboard with Keppel Dive and Water Sports, and discover hidden beaches
• Book a guided marine adventure or sunset cruise with Funtastic Cruises
• Enjoy live music and cocktails with your toes in the sand

2. Pumpkin Island

For those dreaming of a true off-grid experience with a sustainable twist, Pumpkin Island delivers in spades. Accessible by private boat transfer from Keppel Bay Marina, this award-winning eco-island is limited to just a handful of guests at a time, creating an intimate and exclusive experience.

Entirely solar- and wind-powered, Pumpkin Island is proof that luxury and sustainability can co-exist in perfect harmony.

Things to Do:

• Shuck your own oysters from the island's lease (yes, really!)
• Go snorkelling straight from the beach
• Try stand-up paddleboarding, kayaking or sailing
• Unwind in a hammock with a good book
• Stargaze by the fire pit with a glass of wine in hand

3. Cape Keppel Beach

Tucked away on the northern tip of Curtis Island, Cape Keppel Beach is the definition of secluded sophistication. This fly-in, fly-out luxury lodge feels worlds away—yet is just a short scenic flight from Rockhampton, Emu Park, or Brisbane.

Perched above a sweeping curve of untouched beach, Cape Keppel Beach offers an exclusive experience where nature takes centre stage. It's your own private stretch of paradise, with no neighbours in sight—just ocean breezes, vibrant sunrises, and pristine wilderness all around.

Things to Do:

• Explore hidden coves, tidal creeks and headlands
• Cast a line for some of the best fishing in Queensland
• Take a hike through untouched coastal bushland and lookout points
• Take the opportunity for sunset drinks, and a private picnic

4. Keppel Bay Islands National Park

Want to channel your inner castaway? The Keppel Bay Islands National Park offers uninhabited island experiences for the wild at heart. These protected islands—like Humpy, North Keppel (Konomie), Miall and Conical—are accessible via private boat or local transfer with Freedom Wild Duck Water Taxi, with camping permitted on several islands for those ready to rough it in paradise.

North Keppel Island is home to an Environmental Education Centre and rich Indigenous heritage, while Humpy Island is a favourite for snorkellers, beach lovers and paddlers.

Things to Do:

• Camp beneath the stars on a secluded beach
• Bushwalk to hidden lookouts with sweeping reef views
• Explore coral reefs and marine life in the clear shallows

No matter how you like to travel—off-grid, all-in, or somewhere in between—the Capricorn Coast has an island escape with your name on it.

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