Great Keppel Island Day Trip & Lunch from Keppel Bay

Summary

Great Keppel Island ferry day trip with lunch and slow island time

You’ll step onto Great Keppel Island ready for a slow-paced day — ferry included — with time to wander sandy tracks or relax by the sea before enjoying lunch at Hideaway overlooking Middle Island. Choose your meal and drink, soak up reef views, and leave feeling lighter than when you arrived.

What’s the experience like?

We’d barely left Keppel Bay Marina when the mainland started to fade behind us — just half an hour on the water and suddenly Great Keppel Island was right there, all sandy tracks and that lazy salt smell. The ferry ride was quick but I still managed to get sunscreen in my eye (classic). When we landed, someone from the Hideaway waved us over with a grin like he’d seen us a hundred times before. Maybe he had? I don’t know, but it felt easy straight away.

The main thing I remember is how quiet it got once we wandered off the jetty. There’s this hush under the trees, except for lorikeets arguing overhead — so bright they almost look fake. We didn’t really have a plan. Some people went straight for the walking tracks but we just kicked our shoes off and let our feet sink into the sand. Lunch at Great Keppel Island Hideaway was simple: burger or Caesar salad, cold beer if you wanted (I went for a XXXX Gold because it felt right). The view from their deck looks out over Middle Island and honestly, I kept getting distracted by the way the light hit the water out past the reef. It’s not showy here — just honest.

I tried snorkeling after lunch but mostly floated around watching little fish dart through patches of coral. The water was cooler than I expected; it woke me up in a good way. There’s no rush on this day trip to Great Keppel Island — nobody hustling you along or pointing at their watch. At one point I just lay back on my towel and listened to some kids laughing somewhere down the beach. Four o’clock came too soon; I still think about that slow afternoon sometimes when things get noisy back home.

Step-by-step itinerary

Day 1 — Explore Great Keppel Island and lunch

• Travel to Great Keppel Island
• Explore island at your own pace
• Have lunch at Great Keppel Island Hideaway
• Relax or explore walking tracks and reefs
• Depart island at 4pm

Top questions

How long is the ferry ride to Great Keppel Island?

The ferry from Keppel Bay Marina to Great Keppel Island takes about 30 minutes.

Is lunch included on this day trip?

Yes, lunch at Great Keppel Island Hideaway is included with your choice of burger or Caesar salad plus a drink.

What time do we leave Great Keppel Island?

The departure time from the island is 4pm.

Are drinks included with lunch?

You can choose between a XXXX Gold or Great Northern beer, house wine (18+), or soft drink with your meal.

Can infants or small children join this tour?

Yes, infants and small children can ride in a pram or stroller; specialized infant seats are available.

Are there walking tracks on Great Keppel Island?

Yes, you can explore several walking tracks during your visit.

Is snorkeling possible during this day trip?

You can snorkel around reefs near the island though equipment isn’t mentioned as included.

Is public transportation available near departure?

Yes, public transportation options are available near Keppel Bay Marina.

What’s included

Your day includes round-trip ferry transfers from Keppel Bay Marina to Great Keppel Island, all fees and taxes covered, plus lunch at Hideaway where you can pick either a burger or Caesar salad alongside your choice of beer, house wine (if you’re over 18), or soft drink before heading back at 4pm.