Capricorn

To the east, the Great Barrier Reef beckons at the beach-laden Great Keppel Island and the eco-friendly paradise of Pumpkin Island.

These two island hotspots in the Great Barrier Reef combine exploration with seclusion — the beach might be all yours, the stand-up paddleboard is your vehicle, and your snorkelling buddy could be a curious turtle. Be sure to linger a little longer in the coastal town of Yeppoon, not just the jumping-off point to the reef, but a food, art and beach-lover’s delight in its own right.

Head west and stop to hang your hat in the genuine and hearty country town of Rockhampton. Here, your beer is served with a smile, your dinner is sourced locally, and the streetscape combines the historic charm of the past with a flourish of the future. Up north, the blues turn to green at Byfield National Park and State Forest where wonderful scenery, rolling sand dunes, beaches, rainforest-edged creeks and rugged mountains showcase the area’s rich diversity. Also not to be missed is the Capricorn Caves, a sensory feast with incredible acoustics and fascinating geological history.

To the south is the Sandstone Wilderness and Carnarvon National Park, headlined by the Carnarvon Gorge section. Discover towering sandstone cliffs, significant Aboriginal art sites and a spectacular biosphere home to ancient ferns and upwards of 340 species of wildlife. This is where the natural environment reigns supreme, and you’re a lucky visitor stepping into a place that has flourished for millennia.