Well this was an interesting little trip across Keppel Bay to the Island. Bumped across the Bay into the face of a stiff sou-easter, a bit of splash into the back of the boat kept us dodging the spray. After 30 minutes or so we arrived and edged up onto the sand to let everyone off. Homealone had to take her joggers off to jump ashore.

Homealone alighting on Great Keppel.

We had come for the day, the boat would return at 4 pm.

It soon became apparent there wasn’t a lot to do here except walk around, or sit down and eat and drink. There used to be a major resort on the island but it is now derelict and has been for about 9 years. A redevelopment proposal is afoot but needs funding.

Fisherman’s Beach

There were a lot of these red hibiscus around the place.

So we set off for a walk, up and across the headland to Monkey Beach and then onto Long Beach, about 2 hours. The track was a bit marginal, fellow walkers advised against going down the hill to Monkey Beach so we kept on the path to Long Beach. This was ok for a while but ended up evaporating into the scrub with no way forward. So we turned back, retraced our steps and after a couple of hours wandering around we had a nice but late lunch at the Hideaway Resort cafe, followed by a lie down in the sun on the beach.

Monkey Beach

An Island resident on the march

The boat returned and so did we! It was a good day despite the disappointment of the aborted island walk.

We have now left Yeppoon and headed back south. Staying the night at Maryborough and readying for the Relish Festival on Saturday.