It's the sign of a good advertising campaign that whenever I hear mention of this island, I immediately think of the Get Wrecked on Great Keppel campaign that ran during the 1980s.

 

Great Keppel Resort is currently getting "wrecked" itself and is closed for a long-overdue makeover, but that doesn't mean the island is off-limits.

 

There are plenty of other places to stay; and fewer tourists means the island has a secluded atmosphere.

 

The Great Keppel Island Holiday Village offers a variety of accommodation from cabins and tents to a cottage and a house.   Svendsens Beach retreat offers an eco-friendly stay and there are private holiday homes available for rent.

 

There are also seven islands in the Keppel Bay Islands National Park -   North Keppel Island, Humpy Island, Middle Island, Miall Island, Conical Island, Divided Island and Pelican Island - with campsites and snorkling and diving opportunities.   While up to 75 people can camp on North Keppel at any one time, 60 on Humpy Island and 18 on Middle Island, numbers on the other islands are limited to just six.

 

Great Keppel Island is off the Capricorn Coast 15 km east of Rosslyn Bay and 55 km east of Rockhampton.

 

(Michelle Collins - THE SUNDAY MAIL   September 7, 2008)