Planning a trip to Great Keppel Island
Visitor Information -- Pick up information about accommodations and activities on Great Keppel at the Capricorn Tourism information center (at the Capricorn Spire), on Gladstone Road, Rockhampton (tel. 1800/676 701 in Australia, or 07/4927 2055; www.capricornholidays.com.au). It's open daily from 9am to 5pm. The ferry terminal at Rosslyn Bay Harbour also has information.
Getting There
Freedom Fast Cats (tel. 07/4933 6888; www.freedomfastcats.com) operates launches that make the 30-minute crossing from Rosslyn Bay Harbour, about 55km (34 miles) east of Rockhampton. The round-trip costs A$49 for adults, A$41 seniors and students, A$29 for children 4 to 14, and A$127 for families of four. A water taxi will cost around A$60.
From Rockhampton, take the Capricorn Coast scenic drive Route 10 to Emu Park and follow the signs to Rosslyn Bay Harbour. If you're coming to Rockhampton from the north, the scenic drive turnoff is just north of the city, and from there it's 46km (29 miles) to the harbor. You can leave your car in covered storage at Great Keppel Island Security Car Park, 422 Scenic Hwy., near the harbor (tel. 07/4933 6670), for around A$10 per day.
The most flexible option for getting to Rosslyn Bay Harbour by bus is with Little Johnny's Tours Shuttle Service (tel. 0414 793 637; littlejohnnystours@bigpond.com), with pickups to and from Rockhampton Airport and hotels in Rockhampton and Yeppoon and transfers to the ferry terminal. It costs A$75 for up to four people, and A$20 for each extra person, and for an extra A$30 will stop for up to an hour so you can pick up supplies for the island.
Peace Aviation (tel. 07/4927 4355; www.peaceaviation.com) connects with incoming flights to Rockhampton Airport to transfer to the island. It is a 20-minute flight daily except Sundays and costs A$275 one-way for up to three passengers, or A$385 for four or five.