Capricorn Coast

Capricorn Coast is aptly situated on the Tropic of Capricorn with several Barrier Reef Islands and cays dotted along its coastline, including popular Great Keppel Island.

The Capricorn Coast starts just north of Bundaberg and continues to just south of Mackay, stretching inland to the beautiful National Parks and gem fields.

The region has a tropical climate with hot summers and mild winters although being in the southern tropics it doesn’t have the higher temperatures and extreme humidity of North Queensland.

Mackay ShopsHeading north along the Bruce Highway you will reach Miriam Vale from where you can drive to the two coastal towns of Agnes Water and Town of 1770. Agnes Waters is the final surf beach that you will find on the Queensland coast if heading north to Cairns, giving you a good excuse to stop for a while.

Bundaberg Rum DistilleryYou can also travel to Agnes Water on a Barbours Bus from Bundaberg. Seventeen Seventy is a small and relaxing town, from where you can join interesting environmental tours.

Located north of Seventeen Seventy a short distance from the Bruce Highway is Benaraby, home to Lake Awoonga. Lake Awoonga is a fishing mecca where over 2.5 million barramundi have been released. The area is home to wonderful flora and a range of land and aquatic wildlife. You can also take advantage of the free shelter sheds, barbecue facilities, play areas and walkways.

North again is Gladstone which is a busy port for many of central Queensland's farming and mining produce.

Ross CreekGladstone is also the place from where you can visit several of the Southern Reef islands, including Heron Island, Mast Head Island and Wilson Island. North again is the main town along the Capricorn Coast, Rockhampton.

From Rockhampton you can either head to the coast or you can head further inland. Heading east towards Emu Park, you pass the Koorana Crocodile Farm. Once at Emu Park you will see the rather unique 'Singing Ship' which are wind whistling tubes. Heading north along the coastal road you will pass Causeway Lake which is popular for canoeing, as well as a number of headlands offering great views including Bluff Point, Double Head and Pinnacle Point.

Great Keppel IslandThe next place you will pass is Rosslyn Bay from where you can get a ferry over to Great Keppel Island. North again you pass Cooee Bay where the World and Australian Cooeeing Contest and Carnival is held, before reaching Yeppoon a small holiday resort.

From here you can also continue north to Byfield, which makes a pleasant drive.

Travelling inland from Rockhampton along the Burnett Highway you will reach Mt Morgan, which was still open as a copper and gold mine until 1981. There are tours around the mine provided by Mount Morgan Mine Tours. Around the town there are also a number of historic buildings which are worth visiting, and the interesting Mt Morgan Historical Museum. You can get to Mt Morgan on Young's Bus Service from Rockhampton.

You can also travel further inland to the Capricorn Coast Hinterland which hosts some fabulous National Parks, and a large farming and mining industry.



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