Details
Pumpkin Island is a beautiful and humble little island along the Capricorn Coast, within the southern part of the Great Barrier Reef Marine Reserve. The island is situated 14km off the coast of Yeppoon, 10km north of Great Keppel Island, 50km east of Rockhampton, and over 650km north of Brisbane.
Totaling just 6.1 hectares (450metres long and just 150metres wide at the widest point), the island is nestled in sheltered Keppel Bay, and surrounded by the Keppel group of islands (just south of North Keppel Island). The privately-owned island offers visitors eco-friendly accommodation in five self-contained and self-catering beach cottages. Wind and solar power provide electricity on the island, and freshly filtered rainwater provides drinking water for guests.
The island is a blissfully quiet getaway, given the small number of people who venture off the beaten path – and can accommodate a maximum of 34 guests at any one time. The island’s style is relaxed and informal, and it caters to a variety of guests, from romantic couples to families and large groups of friends. Being able to rent the whole island exclusively for privacy is a unique feature that Pumpkin Island offers.
Pumpkin Island provides a tranquil sanctuary surrounded by pristine nature, acting as a responsible travel choice that educates and conserves with minimal environmental impact.
Accommodation
This little private island of only 15 acres is a quaint piece of paradise that offers a blissful escape from the stresses of modern day life and a chance to partake in pristine nature. The island has everything to make your stay in paradise a memorable one. In order to preserve the intimacy and authenticity of the island, the owners have created a small eco-friendly retreat, purposely limiting the number, with a select variety of self catering cottages to five, whilst accommodating up to 30 guests.
There is a very unique feel to each of the comfortable, nature-inspired cottages, only a step away from the ocean’s edge. Each has a special name, colorful decor and a view of the Pacific Ocean. All cottages are self-contained and eco-friendly, powered by wind and sun, yet well appointed and charming. They have their own private bathrooms, with large decks overlooking seclusion and freedom, enjoying some of the most beautiful sunsets you will ever witness.
Guests have a choice of self-catering or pre-ordering gourmet meals from award winning Waterline Restaurant. Or if you prefer, a private chef can be organised for the duration of your stay.
Dining
Created by the award-winning Waterline Restaurant at the nearby Keppel Bay Marina, Pumpkin Island’s gourmet menu is sure to sate even the largest of appetites. Whichever of the mouth-watering menus catches your eye, the professional and talented chefs will lovingly prepare a hamper of goodies ready for baking, steaming, or throwing on the barbecue, in true Australian style.
Activities
Pumpkin Island provides a great playground for visitors as it is surrounded by beautiful clean aquamarine water and the island offers a few options to take advantage of these delights.
Mostly Pumpkin Island is about enjoying nature, relaxation and making memories – so spend your days watching the turtles float by under your glass-bottomed kayak, enjoy the sunrise from your stand up paddle, fish abundantly, walk along the beautiful rock formations at low tide or simply sit around the bonfire under stars sharing stories with other guests.
It is important to note that doing nothing is considered an activity on Pumpkin Island and our large, comfortable hammocks have been known to keep visitors busy for hours on end.
Given its small size, most of the activities on Pumpkin Island are easily accessible from the beaches or island shore.
Accessibility
Situated on Queensland’s Capricorn Coast, Pumpkin’s nearest airport is Rockhampton. Long-haul travellers are advised to fly into one of Australia’s many international airports before transferring to Rockhampton via one of Australia’s larger carriers. The likes of Qantas and Virgin Blue offer regular commercial flights daily from Sydney, Melbourne and Brisbane. From Rockhampton, it is only a short journey to Keppel Bay Marina, before a journey aboard the Pumpkin Xpress connects you to your final destination.