Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
Yeppoon is 43km northeast of Rockhampton.
Young's Bus Service
( 07-4922 3813;
www.youngsbusservice.com.au
)
runs frequent buses from Rockhampton ($6.40 one way) to Yep-
poon and down to the Keppel Bay Marina.
If you're heading for Great Keppel or the Reef, some ferry operators will transport you
between your accommodation and Keppel Bay Marina. If you're driving, there's a free
day car park at the marina. For secure undercover parking, the
Great Keppel Island Security Car
Park
( 07-4933 6670; 422 Scenic Hwy; per day from $15)
is on the Scenic Hwy south of Yeppoon,
by the turn-off to the marina.
WORTH A TRIP
BYFIELD
The staggeringly beautiful Byfield National Park is a diverse playground of mammoth sand dunes, thick semi-
tropical rainforest, wetlands and rocky pinnacles. It's superb Sunday-arvo driving terrain, with plenty of hiking
paths and isolated beaches to warrant a longer stay. There are five
camping grounds
( 13 74 68;
www.nprsr.qld.gov.au
;
per person/family $5.85/21.80) to choose from (pre-book). Nine Mile Beach and Five
Rocks are on the beach and you'll need a 4WD to access them. When conditions are right, there's decent surf at
Nine Mile.
Get to know the rainforest on a silent, electric boat cruise with
Waterpark Eco-Tours
( 07-4935 1171;
www.waterparkecotours.com
; 201 Waterpark Creek Rd; 2-3hr tour $25, cabins $120), run out of a working tea-
tree plantation.
Byfield Mountain Retreat
( 07-4935 1161;
www.byfieldmountainretreat.com
; 216 Arnolds Rd; per night/
week $220/1200) is set on 66 acres of rich rainforest with heady hinterland views. The home sleeps 12, and
there's a log fire, walking trails and king-sized beds. The retreat is attached to
Nob Creek Pottery
( 07-4935
1161;
www.nobcreekpottery.com.au
;
216 Arnolds Rd; 10am-4pm) , a working pottery and gallery
showcasing hand-blown glass, woodwork and jewellery; the handmade ceramics are outstanding.
Signposted just north of Byfield,
Ferns Hideaway
( 07-4935 1235;
www.fernshideaway.com
; 67 Cahills
Rd, Byfield; unpowered site per person $15, cabins $150; ) is a secluded bush oasis with cabins, a camp-
ing ground, canoeing and nature walks. The homestead has a cosy
restaurant
(mains $20-38; lunch Fri &
Sun, lunch & dinner Sat), replete with a log fire, hearty, heartwarming meals and live music on the weekends.
Byfield General Store
( 07-4935 1190; Byfield Rd; 8am-6pm Wed-Mon) has fuel, basic grocery sup-
plies and a simple courtyard cafe serving pies, sandwiches and highly recommended burgers. It doubles as an in-
formation centre.
The park is a 40km drive north from Yeppoon. North of Byfield, the Shoalwater Bay military training area bor-
ders the forest and park, and is strictly off limits.
