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 SUP (Stand Up Paddle), fish abundantly, walk along the beautiful rock formations at low tide or simply sit around the bonfire under stars sharing stories.

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:

  • Swimming and Beach Lounging
    A safe, sandy beach on the western side of the island is perfect for swimming and beach lounging and also the location of the activities hut with kayaks, stand up paddle boards and life jackets.
 
  • Snorkeling & Scuba Diving
    The island affords great off-beach snorkeling given the gently sloping beach bottom, clear water, and abundance of colourful fish, sea creatures, and plant-life close to the beach; also perfect for inexperienced or young snorkelers. Snorkelling gear available for guests to use.
  • Scuba diving the Keppels is possible with two great operators called Keppel Dive and Barry's Dive.
  • To contact Keppel Dive visit their website, Facebook page or call. Prices for our guests for a double dive with full gear hire comes to $220 per person (minimum 2 people)
  •  To contact Barry's Dive call 0467 097 420 or email Barry directly to organise your dive trip. Visit their Facebook page Barry's Dive.
 
  • Fishing
    A wide variety of fishing experiences are available around the island – both shoreline and deep-sea fishing – given the diverse coral reefs, rocky headlands, sheltered bays, and open seas. Refer to our Nature Calendar for details on what species of fish you are most likely to catch during your visit. A couple of fishing charters operate out of Keppel Bay Marina depending on the weather & availability. Visit Keppel Bay Marina and Hooked Fishing Charters for more info.
 
  • Marine Animal Watching
    Dolphins, turtles, and whale sightings are to be expected in season. Refer to our Nature Calendar for details on what to expect during your visit.

  • Wilderness Walking & Bird watching
    Walk along the island & Little Pumpkin (joins main Pumpkin during a low-tide)  to various look out points. Spot the Nankeen Kestrel hunting lizards, the Ospreys diving for their lunch, Sooty and Pied Oyster Catchers walking along the oyster rocks and resident Beach Stone Curlews hiding away in the daytime.

  • Explore North Keppel Island
    Three walks on nearby North Keppel Island, with optional return segments, allow you to discover the island's diverse plant communities, wildlife and spectacular views of Keppel Bay and surrounding islands. Walks depart from the Mazie Bay. Tracks are posted with directional and information signs. Speak to the island staff for more information.
 
  • Explore Great Keppel Island                                                                                                                    Feel like visiting Great Keppel Island for a day? Jump onboard Keppel Charters and they can take you to one of the most beautiful islands in the Great Barrier Reef. You can be dropped off on GKI to explore the island at your own pace and it's beautiful surrounding coral reefs. Cost is from $130pp for the day. This activity will be weather dependent.
 
  • Glass bottom Kayaking and Stand Up Paddle Boards                                                                      Paddle around the island or view unique coral from the kayaks or SUP boards, provided to all guests free of charge.            
                                                  
  • Kite-Surfing or Windsurfing
    Wind surfing and kite surfing can be done from the main beach area on the western side of the island. Guest would need to bring their own equipment.

  • Library & Board Games Corner
    Books and board games are available in the Sunset Lounge for guests to enjoy during their stay.

    To ensure that you get the most out of your visit, be sure to check out Pumpkin Island’s Nature Calendar, so that you can time your holiday to suit your interests – from sea turtle sightings, large-catch fishing, to bird-watching.

    Off the island: If you have a few days to spare in Yeppoon, just across the water on the 'Big Island', you are a short drive away from Australia's best amenities: unrivalled coastal scenery, walking, climbing, horse riding, fishing, sailing, beaches, golf courses, bird watching, whale watching, kayaking, and canoeing. Yeppoon, Emu Park, Byfields and Rockhampton boast golf courses, day spa’s, sailing clubs,  as well as award-winning restaurants and pubs. Visit the Capricorn Tourism website for further information on our amazing area.