Pumpkin Island
Beach Information
Beach Information
- 🏖️ Best Time to Visit: April to October for warm, dry weather and clear snorkelling conditions.
- 🌊 Marine Stingers: Present November–May; protective swimwear recommended.
- 🚩 Lifeguard Patrol: Not patrolled.
- 🐕 Dog Friendly: No — domestic pets are not permitted.
- 🛖 Facilities: Eco-lodges, BBQ areas, kayaks, snorkelling gear, limited amenities.
- ♿ Accessibility: Limited — access by boat only; natural terrain and sandy paths.
- 🐊 Wildlife Awareness: Crocodiles possible in region. Be Crocwise. Deadly snakes extremely rare.
- 📍 Distance to Brisbane: Approx. 600–650 km (boat access from mainland ~7–8.5 hours total).
- 🏝️ Closest Town: Yeppoon — Distance: 14 km offshore (via Keppel Bay Marina).
- ✈️ Closest Airport: Rockhampton Airport — Distance: 40 km to Yeppoon, then boat transfer.
- 🌡️ Typical Weather: Subtropical; warm humid summers, mild dry winters.
For the latest official beach conditions and safety information, check Beachsafe.
Pumpkin Island is a private 6 hectare Keppel Group cay about 14 km off Yeppoon. This Pumpkin Island Yeppoon guide covers Pumpkin Island accommodation, Pumpkin Island whole island hire and the ferry to Pumpkin Island from Keppel Bay Marina.
🏝️ Why Visit Pumpkin Island Yeppoon?
Pumpkin Island Yeppoon is a stay island, not a turn-up day-trip beach. Pumpkin Island accommodation is five cottages and two bungalows, maximum 34 guests. Book one unit or take the Pumpkin Island whole island. Self-cater, snorkel from the sand, and take the ferry to Pumpkin Island on the Pumpkin Xpress from Rosslyn Bay.
🎣 Things to Do on Pumpkin Island
🤿 Snorkel — Fringing reef close to the beach. Gear from the activities hut.
🛶 Kayak and SUP — Calm Keppel Bay water. Glass-bottom kayaks when the island has them out.
🎣 Fish — Shore, rock and boat. Follow the zoning map. Do not treat oyster take as a guaranteed activity.
🐢 Wildlife — Turtles and dolphins in the bay. Humpbacks offshore in the migration months.
🚶 Walk the cay — About 6 hectares. Little Pumpkin can join on foot at low tide.
🌅 Decks at sunset — Every cottage and bungalow has a private deck and BBQ.
🕯️ Capricorn Caves Explorer
90-minute tour at The Caves, north of Rockhampton. Helmet, headlight and the deeper chambers. Closed-toe shoes. Not for children under the age of 5.
Return ferry from Keppel Bay Marina with snorkel hire and lunch at the island bistro. Check in at the green ticket shed.
🐢 Wildlife on Pumpkin Island
🐢 Turtles — Regular in the surrounding water. Do not touch or crowd them.
🐬 Dolphins — Common in Keppel Bay.
🐋 Humpbacks — Seasonal, offshore. This is not a ticketed whale-watch product.
🐦 Birds — Ospreys and oystercatchers are the usual sightings from the rocks and peaks.
Pumpkin Island Whole Island
🏡 Pumpkin Island whole island — Book all five cottages and both bungalows. Maximum 34 guests.
📅 Minimum stay — Typically 3 nights. Check current dates on pumpkinisland.com.au.
🔒 What you get — The cay to your group only. Still self-cater. Still use the scheduled ferry or a booked helicopter.
🚫 Not public camping — This is a paid private stay, not a QPWS campground.
👥 No other guests — A whole-island booking means your group only. You still bring all food and still leave on the booked transfer.
🛠️ Facilities & Sustainability
☀️ Power — Solar, with wind on the official setup. Off-grid, not a hotel grid.
💧 Water — Filtered rainwater.
🍖 Each stay — Kitchen or shared camp kitchen, deck, BBQ.
🛶 Gear — Kayaks, SUPs and snorkel kits for guests.
🚫 No shop — No cafe, no bottle shop, no internurse kiosk.
♿ Access — Sand paths and natural terrain. This is not an all-abilities island.
🌤️ Best Time to Visit Pumpkin Island
🌞 April to October — Drier, milder, usually the clearest snorkel water.
🌧️ November to March — Hotter, wetter, stinger season. Wear a suit if you snorkel.
⛴️ Book the ferry first — Tide sets the Pumpkin Xpress times. Do not assume a daily commuter run.
🗺️ Ferry to Pumpkin Island
📍 Where — About 14 km off Yeppoon in Keppel Bay. Not 5 km. Not a national park cay.
⛴️ Ferry to Pumpkin Island — Pumpkin Xpress from Keppel Bay Marina at Rosslyn Bay, about 30 minutes. Tide restricted. Usually one return trip per booking.
🚁 Helicopter — Optional extra, not the standard arrival.
✈️ Airport — Rockhampton Airport, then about 45 minutes by road to Yeppoon and the marina.
🅿️ Cars — Leave the vehicle at Keppel Bay Marina. Confirm guest parking with the island when you book.
🚌 Bus — Rockhampton to Yeppoon buses exist. Do not treat them as a door-to-ferry service.
💡 Local Tips
📝 Book stay and ferry together — The boat only runs when guests are moving.
🧺 Shop in Yeppoon first — There is no store on the cay.
🌙 Tide — Low tide for Little Pumpkin and rock walking. Mid to high tide for the easiest swim and snorkel.
🔗 Marina page — Rosslyn Bay is also the Great Keppel ferry point. Keep GKI on its own page.
🧳 Pack in — There is no shop on the cay. Bring food, drinks and any special items you need for the stay.
📍 Nearby Attractions
🏝️ Great Keppel Island — Separate daily ferry product from the same marina.
⚓ Keppel Bay Marina — Cafes, Waterline and the Pumpkin Xpress berth.
🏞️ Bluff Point — Mainland walk above Mulambin and Kemp, not on this island.
🏊 Yeppoon Lagoon — Free town swim if you have spare time before the boat.
📅 Events & Markets Nearby
🚫 On the island — None.
🛍️ On the mainland — Yeppoon Saturday markets are the closest regular market after you dock, not part of the stay.
For a full list of what’s on in the region, visit the
👉 Rockhampton & Capricorn Coast Attractions | Best Things to Do Near Rockhampton & Capricorn Coast Beaches
🏨 Pumpkin Island Accommodation
🏡 Pumpkin Island accommodation — Five self-catering cottages and two bungalows. Official cap is 34 guests.
🏝️ Whole cay — Use the Pumpkin Island whole island section above.
☀️ What is included — Solar power, filtered rainwater, linen, deck and BBQ. Confirm current inclusions on pumpkinisland.com.au.
🚫 What is not — Restaurant, room service, public camping, a day-trip ticket with no bed.
📖 Read Accommodation Reviews
📸 Submit Your Accommodation Review
💡 Please note: Full names and emails are kept private — only your chosen Display Name will appear publicly with your review.
🍽️ Places to Eat & Drink
🚫 On Pumpkin Island — No restaurant and no cafe. Every stay is self-catered.
🧺 Pack from Yeppoon — Groceries before you board.
🍖 Cook on the deck — Kitchens plus BBQ.
🍷 Marina meal — Eat at Keppel Bay Marina on arrival or departure day if you want a restaurant sit-down.
📖 Read Food & Drinks Reviews
📸 Submit Your Food & Drinks Review
💡 Please note: Full names and emails are kept private — only your chosen Display Name will appear publicly with your review.
🧭 Plan Your Trip to Pumpkin Island Yeppoon
Book Pumpkin Island accommodation or Pumpkin Island whole island first, then lock the ferry to Pumpkin Island around that tide. Shop in Yeppoon, park at Keppel Bay Marina, and take the Pumpkin Xpress. There are no shops on the cay, so the stay only works if the food and the boat are already organised.
💬 Share Your Pumpkin Island Beach Photos & Reviews
📸 We’d love to see your favourite moments from the Capricorn Coast and nearby islands! Upload your photos, share your experiences, and leave a review to help other visitors discover the relaxed coastal beauty of this region.
📖 Read Beach Reviews
📸 Submit Your Review
💡 Please note: Full names and emails are kept private — only your chosen Display Name will appear publicly.
💙 Explore More Beaches Nearby
Discover more of the Capricorn Coast and Southern Great Barrier Reef:
Great Keppel Island ➜ | North West Island ➜ | Cooee Bay ➜ | Kinka Beach ➜
🌊 About This Beach Directory
🌴 Note: This directory doesn’t include every beach in Queensland — there are simply too many! We’ve selected the most significant and unique beaches based on a range of factors including natural beauty, accessibility, and local popularity.
💌 If you think we’ve missed one that deserves to be featured, we’d love to hear from you!
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☀️ Happy surfing, swimming and sunning from the Queensland Beach Guide team!
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Last updated: June 2026
Pumpkin Island FAQs
Is Pumpkin Island a private island?
Yes. It is a privately owned eco-island that can be booked by individual cottages/bungalows or as a whole-island exclusive hire (up to 34 guests).
How do you get there?
The Pumpkin Xpress ferry runs from Keppel Bay Marina in Rosslyn Bay (near Yeppoon). Journey time is about 30–40 minutes. Private boat and helicopter transfers are also available.
Are dogs allowed on Pumpkin Island?
No. The island is pet-free.
What accommodation is available?
Seven self-catering units (five cottages and two beach bungalows). All are solar and wind powered with private decks. The entire island can also be hired exclusively.
Is Pumpkin Island good for snorkelling?
Yes. Fringing reef is accessible straight off the beach. Glass-bottom kayaks, stand-up paddleboards and snorkel gear are available.