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Forget Byron Bay, these coastal hotspots are tipped to boom in 2024

Posted on by Cerulean Estate

Forget Byron Bay, these coastal hotspots are tipped to boom in 2024!

Lisa Calautti, Property Journalist First published 23 Jan 2024, 2:47pm

Property experts have handpicked the best coastal suburbs in Australia for 2024, offering a mix of good growth prospects, amenities and infrastructure. The realestate.com.au Hot 100 - compiled by a panel of industry professionals – includes more than 30 coastal, beach or harbourside suburbs from across the country offering the best real estate prospects in 2024 and beyond.

The top coastal suburbs from the Hot 100

Reviewing the list, PropTrack economist Anne Flaherty noted many suburbs on the list were still relatively affordable.

“They’re not necessarily that premium beachside suburb but there are pockets where more people would be able to afford to buy a home,” she said.

“I think at the end of the day, coastal suburbs will always be attractive to people looking to buy and also to rent.

“We know that properties close to the water sell for a premium and buyers are definitely willing to pay extra to be close to the water, and in the same boat, tenants as well are willing to pay higher rates of rent in order to live in these locations.”

Coastal locations on the realestate.com.au Hot 100 for 2024

 

Reviewing the list, PropTrack economist Anne Flaherty noted many suburbs on the list were still relatively affordable.

“They’re not necessarily that premium beachside suburb but there are pockets where more people would be able to afford to buy a home,” she said.

“I think at the end of the day, coastal suburbs will always be attractive to people looking to buy and also to rent.

“We know that properties close to the water sell for a premium and buyers are definitely willing to pay extra to be close to the water, and in the same boat, tenants as well are willing to pay higher rates of rent in order to live in these locations.”

While the pandemic saw buyer demand for coastal and water locations increase, Ms Flaherty said with people spending more time at home via hybrid jobs, this demand has remained elevated.

“People are looking for that balance and they’re looking for that access to nature and COVID also reset a lot of how people think they want to live their life,” she said.

Here’s what the experts had to say about some of their top coastal picks on the list.

Queensland

The top QLD suburbs in the Hot 100

 

Brighton

Situated adjacent to Brisbane’s Moreton Bay, Brighton is a cheaper coastal alternative than its neighbouring suburbs, according to University of Adelaide property academic Peter Koulizos.

Tightly held suburb is being recognised by empty nesters for its lifestyle offerings, proximity to the train line and beach he added.

House prices in Brisbane’s Brighton have grown 53% in the past five years according to PropTrack. Picture: realestate.com.au

Local agent Kristy Kelly from Image Property Brisbane Northside said the number of days on market for properties in this area has been driven down by competition.

“It’s a tightly held suburb too and there is not a lot of opportunity to buy here so when an opportunity is created it’s why the demand is so high,” Ms Kelly said.

In the few days Ms Kelly has returned to work for 2024, she said she’s already sold four Brighton homes.

New South Wales

What suburbs have the best prospects in NSW?
 

Elizabeth Bay

With its array of apartments with Sydney Harbour views, ultra-exclusive Elizabeth Bay is buyer’s advocate and Propertybuyer chief executive Rich Harvey’s pick for its strong investment prospects.

“You are a skip away from Potts Point and it has that sort of inner city vibe, and you’re a stone’s throw from Double Bay and then Rose Bay, the more prestigious areas and suburbs,” he said.

Positioned in Sydney’s exclusive east, Elizabeth Bay also offers entry-level apartments, like 61/41-49 Roslyn Gardens which is scheduled for auction with a price guide of $600,000. Picture: realestate.com.au

Samuel Schumann from Raine & Horne Unlimited Potts Point said while the suburb’s high-end market was “going absolutely gangbusters,” the investor market in the $500,000 to $600,000 range was also strong.

“Even though it’s a small suburb it attracts a wide market, and we are just seeing it go from strength to strength,” he said.

Victoria

 

The hottest Victorian suburbs

 

Altona Meadows

Offering value for money and good proximity to the city are among the reasons why Altona Meadows in Melbourne’s west made buyer’s agent Cate Bakos’ realestate.com.au Hot 100 list.

“From a current price point for anyone with a price restriction in their budget, proximity to the city and what you get for your money is pretty unbeatable,” she said.

Views of the Melbourne CBD from parkland in Altona Meadows. Picture: realestate.com.au

“I just don’t think the prices will stay where they are for very long because a lot of people are discovering it.”

Located 21kms south west of the Melbourne CBD, beachside Mentone was another hot pick, with Ms Bakos describing it as an underrated, beautiful suburb on the beach.

“It’s got a bustling little shopping village, it’s got easy train access and it’s got some really good private schools too,” she said.

South Australia

Check out the hottest suburbs in South Australia

 

Seaford

Location and affordability were the factors behind Mr Koulizos choosing Seaford as his Hot 100 pick.

Originally developed in the 1970s, Seaford was once not considered as attractive as its neighbouring suburbs with their beach shacks and holiday feel, Mr Koulizos said.

Seaford offers an affordable coastal lifestyle just 45 minutes from the Adelaide CBD. Picture: realestate.com.au

 

However, now that Port Noarlunga South, Port Noarlunga and Noarlunga have become so expensive, he noted buyers are willing to live in a 1970s Seaford home to be by the beach.

With a median house price of around $640,000, the area is attracting younger homebuyers.

“It’s not uncommon, especially over the last three years, during and since COVID, that you advertise [a home] on realestate.com.au during the week, you have your open on the weekend and on Monday, you’ve got offers,” he said.

 

Western Australia

 

The top WA suburbs in the Hot 100

 

Busselton

The popular south west holiday town of Busselton, located some two and a half hours from Perth, was selected by Propertyology’s head of research Simon Pressley for its amenity, investment prospects and location.

He said during the last three years, and broadly across the last two decades, Busselton’s property market in Busselton has outperformed Perth.

Offering a coastal lifestyle, Busselton is also well-positioned to take advantage of the popular wineries found in the Margaret River region. Picture: realestate.com.au

Tommy McNeil, property partner at The Agency South West, said the area has attracted strong east coast investor interest, with many buying homes by viewing them via FaceTime or by inspecting house plans only.

Offering value for money and a laid-back lifestyle Mr McNeil said many FIFO operators buy and live in the area, even renting their homes out while they’re away.

Tasmania

The numbers behind Australia’s Hot 100 suburbs

 

Burnie

Solid investment prospects and affordability are behind Mr Pressley’s decision to nominate the port city of Burnie.

The second largest city on Tasmania’s north coast after Devonport, Burnie is set to become a hotspot for major renewable energy projects, especially for wind farms, he said.

“Legendary local business, Elphinstone, will progressively expand its workforce by several hundred to support two separate defence force contracts to manufacture components for Land 400 military vehicles and infantry fighting vehicles,” he said.

Picturesque Burnie is known for its port and industrial heartland, but is also home to a newly developed campus of the University of Tasmania, as well as several beaches and a penguin colony. Picture: realestate.com.au

Andrew de Bomford, property consultant at Harcourt has been selling property in Burnie for 23 years, and said the suburb boasts nice boardwalks, a progressive local council, good schools and infrastructure.

“I sell a lot of land…there has been a boom in the building,” he said.

“Burnie has a lot of ex-commission places and that tends to be your traditionally type of investment properties, your standard three bedroom, one bathroom are all ex-commission properties 40 to 50 years ago, that have all been privately owned they have turned into reasonable areas,” he said.

Conetnt Source: https://www.realestate.com.au/news/forget-byron-bay-these-coastal-hotspots-are-tipped-to-boom-in-2024/
 

Rockhampton Ring Road Fully Funded

Posted on by Cerulean Estate

Rockhampton Ring Road Fully Funded

Posted on January 30th, 2024

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese and Premier Steven Miles yesterday celebrated construction progress on the $1.73 billion Rockhampton Ring Road – a project that is now fully funded by both levels of government.

The commitment will deliver the full 17.4 km Rockhampton Ring Road, with an increased Australian Government commitment of $1.2 billion and an increased Queensland Government commitment to $530 million.

This transformative project for Central Queensland will increase connections to key precincts in the city and improve access, travel times to critical services including the hospital and emergency services, and road safety.

The ring road alignment opens up new travel routes to key leisure, retail, education and defence facilities.

The Rockhampton Ring Road project is a once in a lifetime opportunity to build capability within the regional workforce, with an extended pipeline of road infrastructure construction that provides opportunities for apprentices and trainees, engineers and technical services to be engaged on this significant infrastructure build.

Construction on the first $280 million package of works started in November 2023. Both contractor joint ventures mobilised to site in November to start construction at key work locations in Parkhurst and on Rockhampton-Ridgelands Road in West Rockhampton.

Construction on this phase of the Rockhampton Ring Road is expected to take up to two years to complete.

 

 

 

29 August 2023 – Rockhampton Ring Road project update – https://capricornenterprise.com.au/2023/08/rockhampton-ring-road-project-update/

2 August 2023 – Rockhampton Ring Road Industry Briefing held Monday 31st July – https://capricornenterprise.com.au/2023/08/rockhampton-ring-road-industry-briefing-held-monday-31st-july/

20 July 2023 – Rockhampton Ring Road Contractors awarded – https://capricornenterprise.com.au/2023/07/rockhampton-ring-road-contractors-awarded/

13 December 2023 – Billion dollar Rockhampton Ring Road construction to commence 2023 – https://capricornenterprise.com.au/2022/12/rockhampton-ring-road-construction-to-commence-2023/

13 December 2022 Queensland Government Media Statement – Rockhampton Ring Road agreement reached

16 November 2022 Rockhampton Ring Road forum a success

1 November 2022 Start Rockhampton Ring Road, stop the politics

27 October 2022 $800 Million Rockhampton Ring Road delayed exasperating local leaders and businesses

6 July 2022 – Rockhampton Ring Road: Engagement of contractors

31 August 2021 – Rockhampton Ring Road – Get ready to hit the road

Posted in Media Releases, News

The stunning seaside town you MUST visit!

Posted on by Cerulean Estate

Yeppoon… The stunning seaside town you MUST visit!

It’s that place, that moment…when happiness and contentment begin to swoon. Where you can discover absolute surprise and magic over the peak of every sand dune. It’s that sound of summer, and sub-tropical vibe smoothly echoing through a live local tune. Where home grown tucker is best discovered from your hands, not a spoon. A spot where exhilarating adventure flips you head-first into the wide-open sea of opportune. Where, with a cocktail and good company a sunset elegantly dances across your afternoon. It’s a cultural celebration of where the waters meet, the sandy toes and salty kisses that are felt in June. Where playgrounds, wildlife parks and street art, allude to the refreshing welcome of an iconic lagoon. It’s the comfort and feeling of being back home…as indulgent siestas meet the stroke of noon. Where paddock to plate, ocean to earth pave way to a rewarding catch from a nearby pontoon. When kilometres of endless shorelines at the days end wave warm and hearty welcome to the moon. It’s the people, the lifestyle, and awe-inspiring wonders. This is Yeppoon… See you soon!
Cheers
Jeremy Marou (Busby Marou)

Yeppoon is a town that is exciting, diverse, and breathtakingly beautiful. Alive and bustling with a cosmopolitan allure yet laced with a majestic sense of harmony and calmness. An untouched wonderland that invites you to embrace the sun, sea, sand and uncover a distinctive, unforgettable adventure that is perfect for you and your family.

Nestled within a system of 13 beaches across 95 kilometres of Capricorn coastline, Yeppoon boasts a shared latitude with Rio de Janeiro to the East and Mauritius to the West, celebrating sub-tropical climates and year-round swimming.

Easily accessible by road, rail, coach and air, Yeppoon is only an additional 30-minute drive from the beef capital of Australia, Rockhampton and only 600 kilometres from Queensland’s capital, Brisbane.

Surrounded by jaw-dropping and glittering shorelines, golden days, balmy moonlit evenings, sensational crimson sunsets and scents of the tropic, this unique paradise is your stepping-stone to the wonders of the Southern Great Barrier Reef or rainforests of Byfield National Park.

Yeppoon’s charming waterfront esplanade in the heart of town boasts a renowned public infinity edge lagoon and a state-of-the-art zero depth water play area, together with walking paths, playgrounds, BBQ and picnic areas.

As the Keppel Bay waters gently lap the sand of Yeppoon Main Beach, the enchanting, ‘close enough to touch’ vistas of the horizon will encourage your dream of snorkelling, diving, or sailing your way around pristine fringing coral reefs of Great Keppel and neighbouring islands, which are effortlessly accessible via a 30-minute ferry ride.

Turn your focus back to the mainland, and you will discover urban street art offering unpredictable surprises around the most unlikely of corners, determined to turn your days from good to great with a speckle of colour, humour and fun.

A magnitude of cafes and restaurants line the main streets, providing a diversity of cuisine from an array of cultures, while accommodation options to suit a range of requirements stand proudly throughout town, offering the finest panoramic ‘front deck’ viewpoints. 

A paddock to plate initiative, Taste Capricorn Coast, encompasses many restaurants and farmers within Yeppoon, as a plethora of fresh, local produce makes its’ mark across the destination.

From fourth generation pineapple farms to fifth generation award winning beef, together with fresh seafood, crocodile and numerous delicacies including locally made moringa pasta, the purest water and fine crafted beer, Yeppoon, together with the villages dotted along the coastline and inland rainforests have decades of stories to tell and are brimming with diverse flavours and mouth-watering adventures.

Unique and award-winning attractions such as the Capricorn Caves, Koorana Crocodile Farm, Cooberrie Park Wildlife Sanctuary, and the spectacular ANZAC Memorial at Emu Park are only a short journey from the town of Yeppoon, making it an ideal base for your daily experiences.

Yeppoon is a destination for all seasons, priding itself on sustainability and community development. With an active, innovative, and passionate leadership team of proud locals, the Capricorn Coast, encompassing the town of Yeppoon is continually advancing to diversify its offerings through enhanced infrastructure, a thriving calendar of events, contemporary entertainment, and family friendly activities.

Recognising the critical importance of arts and cultural activities reflecting national and local heritage and background, Yeppoon celebrates different identities and social multiplicity, reflected within the warm welcome provided by the people who call it home.

We invite you to come and discover a must-see destination that ticks all the boxes including sandy toes, salty kisses, eye-appealing scenery, and exciting tours and attractions, and start at the Capricorn Coast Visitor Information Centre to see where your adventure takes you.

Plan your visit

Download your 4-day Yeppoon itinerary here

Want more inspiration?

Download the Official Insider’s Guide here

Cerulean Estate engages esteemed local contractor JRT to continue delivering works on anticipated coastal development

Posted on by Cerulean Estate

Cerulean Estate engages esteemed local contractor JRT to continue delivering works on anticipated coastal development

With a solid plan to create a high-end lifestyle homebase perfectly positioned on the Capricorn Coast behind beautiful Lammermoor Beach, the developers of Cerulean Estate, Yeppoon are powering forward with the recent completion of bulk earthworks and with an emphasis on the community have further engaged esteemed local contractor JRT Group to complete civil works on this much anticipated project.

JRT Group Site Manager, Brenden Cooper, is overseeing the works and is pleased they have secured the contract to bring this boutique community to life.

 “JRT are looking forward to working closely with Andrew, Wayne, Amanda and the team to bring Cerulean Estate to the Capricorn community,” said Brendan.

“At this stage the works will progress over approximately 18 weeks and will keep roughly 15 employees busy on site during this time.”

“With its ideal location next to a school, an upcoming day care and close to town and the beach we wouldn’t expect the blocks to last long on the market.”

Cerulean Estate has been designed and will be delivered by Andrew Beaumont and Wayne Riddell, one of the region’s most experienced development partnerships and they have brought on Amanda Millers as the Development and Sales Manager for the project, who is thrilled with the Estate’s progress and positive market response to date.

“The developers of Cerulean are behind delivering over $200 million worth of residential projects across the region including Salt Yeppoon, Empire Apartment Hotel, The Gallery Apartments in Rockhampton, as well as development partners on many other notable projects. It’s a privilege to work with them to deliver a quality new project for the region,” Amanda said.

“We are excited to see the bulk earthworks stage nearing completion, and stage 1 civil works about to commence. The feedback from purchasers and builders alike has been very positive with the focus on easy to build level blocks, large frontages, and easement free backyards. Stage 1 prices represent great value in the current climate for such a desirable location. Having previously worked on other projects I know Cerulean is ticking a lot of boxes for buyers”.

“Cerulean Estate has been designed with ease of living in mind and we want land buyers to be proud to call this community home, while enjoying everything our beautiful and expansive region has to offer”. Amanda said.

With the first release ‘Seabright’ boasting 25 level allotments ranging from 714sqm – 916sqm expected to be registered and ready to build on in October, the boutique Estate will also feature a nature based childcare centre by Coastal Kids, supporting the need for increased childcare facilities on the Capricorn Coast.

“The childcare facility will exist harmoniously beside the Estate, set on over 1ha and with a nature buffer to be retained and an acoustic fence construction which will allow optimum privacy for adjoining residents. Mums and dads will have the opportunity to walk their little ones to care each day, and for the bigger kids, Taranganba School is just across the road,” Amanda said.

Capricorn Enterprise CEO, Mary Carroll is delighted to see this new development continuing to progress, as the Capricorn Coast powers ahead as a sought-after destination for both liveability and affordability.

“Cerulean Estate is a welcome addition to our existing land stock and will provide a strong solution to our thriving destination’s growing demand for residential living,” Mary said.

“Our destination continues to thrive as more and more people choose to live, learn, work, invest and visit,” Mary said.

Seabright at Cerulean is currently selling with prices ranging between $232,000- $242,000 and anyone interested in securing an allotment can get in touch with Amanda on 0400 933 078.

“With its desirable location and excellent design, Cerulean will be a very popular choice when choosing your family’s new home,” Amanda said.

Capricorn Coast sees steady, sustained population and property market growth post-COVID

Posted on by Cerulean Estate

Capricorn Coast sees steady, sustained population and property market growth post-COVID

When Brisbane couple Rosie Dodgson and Matthew Scott were looking for an affordable house to buy before starting a family, the Capricorn Coast seemed like the perfect option. 

 

Key points:

  • Livingstone Shire’s property values increased 7.3 per cent in the year to April 2023
  • A local real estate agent says the Capricorn Coast is still in the boom phase, despite interest rate hikes
  • A demographer says migration to coastal towns is influenced by people seeking lifestyle changes

 

“We would never be able to purchase our first home [in Brisbane] considering the cost of it, and also the competition,” Ms Dodgson said.

The couple is now settled in the central Queensland town of Yeppoon and “couldn’t be happier”.

“It’s a good size for us, it’s not really busy but it’s not a ghost town,” Ms Dodgson said.

They are part of a growing population looking for a sea change in a place where they can also afford to get on the property ladder, according to demographer Elin Charles-Edwards from the University of Queensland. 

Dr Charles-Edwards said coastal regions across Queensland were seeing a “spillover effect” of people locked out of markets on the Sunshine and Gold Coasts. 

“During COVID we saw a lot of people stay in the regions and also increasingly people attracted to the regional lifestyle, either looking for more space, cheaper housing, and in part facilitated by working from home,” she said.

 

‘Still in the boom’

Ms Dodgson said the Capricorn Coast was “perfect” for their young family, with a property market where they could afford a three-bedroom house with a large garden.

But it seemed others had the same idea. It took more than a year of the pair putting in offers before they snapped up their home in late 2021.

“There was pretty fierce competition up here,” Ms Dodgson said.

Yeppoon real estate agent Lindsay Lodwick, who has been selling houses on the coast for more than 20 years, was confident the town was “still in the boom cycle”.

And while Ms Dodgson and Mr Smith drove for more than eight hours for open homes during their search, Mr Lodwick said he had lost count of the number of properties he had sold sight unseen or with virtual viewings in the past three years.

“From 2001 to 2020, I had sold two houses sight unseen,” Mr Lodwick said. 

“People’s willingness to … make an offer without even looking at the property — that kind of behaviour has become the new norm, which really does blow me away.”

The Livingstone Shire, which includes Yeppoon, had one of the biggest growths in property values in the state for the year to April, according to data from property analyst company CoreLogic.

The area’s median house price jumped 7.3 per cent in the 12 months — to $632,830.

In comparison, the Sunshine Coast dropped 12.2 per cent to a median house price of $942,000 while Cairns was down 1.8 per cent to $557,797, and the Gold Coast dropped 9.3 per cent $975,000.

While previous population influxes in central Queensland had been mainly tied to the resources sector, Dr Charles-Edwards said there had been a shift in this recent wave.

She said it was particularly noticeable between Wide Bay and the Capricorn Coast, where migration was being driven more by lifestyle change.

 

While previous population influxes in central Queensland had been mainly tied to the resources sector, Dr Charles-Edwards said there had been a shift in this recent wave.

She said it was particularly noticeable between Wide Bay and the Capricorn Coast, where migration was being driven more by lifestyle change.

 

Growth creates challenges

Though population growth is positive, it is putting pressure on the local shire council.

The region experienced 4.3 per cent growth from 2020 to 2022, according to Bureau of Statistics figures, with a population of 40,952 as of June 2022.

For the same period, regional Queensland’s population growth was an average of 2.8 per cent.

Mayor Andy Ireland expected population growth to keep surpassing projections, forcing the council to “rethink a lot of our short, medium, and longer-term plans”.

“We’re looking at bringing forward a number of the water and sewerage projects,” he said. 

“We’ve also looked at our future strategic road network … so that we can start mapping now where the demand for future access is going to be.”

In a bid to increase social housing, the council also recently agreed to gift two lots of land to Anglicare, one in Yeppoon and one in Emu Park, so the organisation can build affordable family accommodation.

Yeppoon in top travel list

Posted on by Cerulean Estate

Yeppoon in top travel list

Dubbed as The Year of the no-normal, the latest traveller trends report finds there is no longer a ‘one-size-fits-all’ approach to travel, and that 2023 will bring us a year all about breaking routine and searching for experiences without compromises.

The findings were obtained from the company’s first-party data as well as custom research of thousands of travellers and industry professionals across 17 countries.

Rubbing shoulders with the diverse travel destinations of Bright and Wodonga in Victoria, Tamworth and Goulbourn in NSW, and Nietta in Tasmania, Yeppoon has cracked the list of 10, with the data showing that the demand for each of these hotspots has increased by 55 per cent or more.

President of Expedia Brands Jon Gieselman said when we look at Expedia, Wotif, and Stayz data together, we see a detailed and robust picture of travel into 2023.

“We’re seeing a surge in trips to culture capitals, streaming services inspiring travel, and a spike in demand for outdoor destinations beyond just beaches – not a new normal, but people branching out to unexpected trends in what we’re calling the “no-normal,” she said.

As the Capricorn Coast gears up for a very strong summer holiday period, Capricorn Enterprise CEO, Mary Carroll feels this latest published travel trend is in line with what we already know, as we come off the back of a record couple of years.

“While we know this data release is looking into a crystal ball towards the future, we know that the past remains a perfect indicator of what’s to come,” Mary said.

“Our destination has continued to sustain visitation across 2022, with our accommodation operators from across both the Capricorn Coast including Rockhampton experiencing 85 – 95 per cent occupancy consistently.

“We have no doubt this will continue as we head into 2023, and we look forward to continuing to see our beautiful seaside villages along the Coast and our easily accessible island paradises continue to thrive.”

The insights revealed that over 40 per cent of travellers were inspired by streamed movies and TV shows (Set-Jetters), while another 31 per cent were influenced by social media.

Travellers are also exploring charming locations from high alpine places to farm-style escapes, and the Capricorn Coast is among the destinations that have seen the highest demand increase for farm-style escapes.

“Not only are we proud to promote our stunning beaches and islands on the Capricorn Coast, but we are also fortunate to be in abundance of both country landscapes and national parks, providing visitors with a broad diversity of experiences,” Mary said.

View the full 2023 Travel Trends Report here – https://www.expedia.com/see/2023traveltrends-expedia

 

Premium land now up for grabs on the Capricorn Coast

Posted on by Cerulean Estate

Premium land now up for grabs on the Capricorn Coast

If 2023 is your year for sea change, you are in luck, with Cerulean Estate releasing the first stage of their boutique new community, perfectly positioned behind popular Lammermoor Beach, and ideally located between Yeppoon’s CBD and Keppel Bay Marina.

Seabright (Stage 1 and 1a) is the exclusive first release of the high-end residential development, boasting 25 premium lots ranging from 714sqm to 916sqm, featuring level allotments with generous frontages and easement free backyards, leaving you plenty of room for side access, sheds, pools, and pets.

These lots have been expertly designed with ease of living in mind, creating a blank canvas for buyers to create, grow and explore everything the Capricorn Coast has to offer.

For families a nature play-based child care facility will occupy over 1ha of the development, designed to maintain some of the existing vegetation and mature trees providing a unique childcare experience. Mums and dads will have the opportunity to walk their little ones to care each day, and for the bigger kids, Taranganba School is just across the road.

With works scheduled to begin onsite next month, Cerulean Development and Sales Manager, Amanda Millers is inviting anyone thinking about purchasing quality land on the Coast to stop hesitating and take the leap today.

“Location is everything, we believe buyers will love the prime positioning and close proximity Cerulean has to a great selection of local schools, childcare, parks, dining options, shopping and beautiful beaches all while feeling your part of an exclusive residential community,” Amanda said.

“These land purchases won’t just be about building a home but contributing to the construction of a fantastic lifestyle and a great home base for you and your family.”

“There are only 25 premium lots up for grabs which are competitively priced within the growing Yeppoon market, prices in this first release represent great value at $224,000 – $240,000, initial interest has been very strong and moving into the start of construction, we expect these blocks won’t last long,” Amanda said.

With population projections to 2041 painting a strong future across the region with the Queensland Statistician’s Office forecasting an average annual growth rate of 1.2%, Capricorn Enterprise CEO, Mary Carroll is looking forward to seeing this new development start to come to life over the coming months.

“The Capricorn Coast is certainly a thriving destination where people want to live, learn, work, invest and visit,” Mary said.

“Yeppoon is currently experiencing an annual growth rate of 1.4% which is the highest in the region, reflecting the growing demand for residential living.”

“Fast becoming one of the most sought-after destinations in Queensland for both liveability and affordability, this estate is a welcome addition to our existing land stock.”

Cerulean Estate is master planned, comprising of just 66 total allotments.

It’s time to live better at the beach.

Visit www.ceruleanestate.com.au for more information or call Amanda Millers on 0400 933 078.

20 best things to do in Yeppoon, Capricorn Coast

Posted on by Cerulean Estate

20 best things to do in Yeppoon, Capricorn Coast

If you’ve not been to the Capricorn Coast recently you might be surprised at the diversity of things to do in Yeppoon and the surrounding region.

Yeppoon is located on Queensland’s central coast, northeast of Rockhampton and just below the Tropic of Capricorn. It’s a 5-hour drive north of Hervey Bay, 8-hours from Brisbane and an essential stop on a road trip up the Queensland Coast towards Cairns.

Stay for a week or two and you’ll have time to discover the white-sand beaches, beautiful coral, tropical fish, native birds and wildlife, rainforests, geological formations dating back to prehistoric times, fun family attractions, National Parks, art, history and a fabulous food bowl region.

1. The Yeppoon Lagoon Pool

A key attraction on the Yeppoon waterfront is the fabulous infinity lagoon pool complex. This stunning spot is completely free to use, you can relax here for the day or stop by for a quick dip to cool off whenever you feel like it.

Most people just chill out, chat and have a refreshing soak while enjoying the view. You’re able to swim and play too but there’s no jumping or diving into the pool and there are lifeguards on duty to make sure everyone is playing safe. There is also a zero-depth area for toddlers with seating for parents on the edge.

There are large sun shelters positioned over the grass area so you can put down a blanket overlooking the pool and sun loungers to relax while you dry off. Directly behind the lagoon are more parklands, a skate park and a big picnic and BBQ area. In front of the pool is Main Beach providing the ‘infinity’ view out to the Keppel Islands.

The complex includes a ground floor juice bar and cafe with a restaurant and bar upstairs. There are immaculately clean changing areas, showers and toilets available, the only thing we really felt were missing are a few lockers, just somewhere to secure water-sensitive items like phones and keys would be great.



2. The Kraken water playground

If you are travelling with younger children they will love the Kraken water playground with the safe zero-depth water spouts. There are toilet and changing facilities nearby and plenty of seating and picnic spaces for the family to keep a close watch.

The Kraken of course is a giant sea monster depicted in Nordic folklore as something like a giant octopus. The Kraken playground is super cute and a popular hangout for families. The shaded seating around this area was one of our favourites for our morning coffee with stunning views out over the beach. Being elevated there’s a little bit of breeze there too on a hot day.

 

3. Hang out on the Yeppoon beaches

While Yeppoon has one long expanse of sand stretching further than the eye can see to the north, technically it’s only Yeppoon Main Beach near the town and turns to Farnborough Beach at these rocks near the campground. Farnborough beach then continues on to the north for around 17 km up to Sandy Point just below the Byfield National Park.

Walking this stretch of sand into ‘town’ each day was just beautiful and especially pretty like this with the warm glow on the horizon at dawn and dusk.

The main question we are asked, and kind of wondered ourselves when we arrived, is whether there are crocodiles around Yeppoon? The locals were swimming here and the surf life-saving club is active including nippers in the water each week so we were inclined to think the crocodile line was actually further north than we’d believed.

In reality yes they do get salties in the ocean along the Capricorn Coast, it’s rare but a couple of months before our visit a 3.5-4 metre croc was confirmed floating off this southern part of Farnborough beach. I love walking along the sand and spending time on the beach but we headed down to the lagoon pool whenever we wanted to take a dip.

4. Visit Great Keppell Island

The Keppel Islands are a group of 18 islands located around 15 km off the Capricorn Coast. Great Keppel, as the name would imply, is the largest and very easy to visit from the Keppel Bay Marina just south of Yeppoon.

Two companies run daily ferries out here, we went with Keppel Konnections on a day trip and got the ferret ticket that includes lunch at the bistro, you can also stay out here in the cabins that are dotted around. It is a rustic unspoilt paradise but keep in mind that means the accommodation and facilities are basic.

With 17 beaches and a range of walking tracks, you aren’t going to be bored out here. The waters are crystal clear and beautiful for swimming, being in the southern Great Barrier Reef snorkelling is also popular with tropical fish, coral and turtles to see.

You can hire snorkelling gear from the beach shack and hike to some of the better snorkelling spots like Monkey Beach or join one of the snorkelling trips that head out to Middle Island or the more sheltered beaches depending on the weather and tide. There are also kayaks to hire from the beach as another way to get around the rocky heads to different beaches.

You can see the hiking trails on this map, there are some signs and markers along the way but they are limited so make sure you are confident navigating before heading deeper inland or out onto the longer trails.

Even if you confine yourself to a snorkelling tour and the two beaches around the visitor precinct, Putney Beach and Fishermans Beach, or perhaps take the walk up to the lookout you are going to have more than enough to keep you busy for a day trip.

The waters are crystal clear and perfect for swimming. The long sweeps of sand and few people mean there’s plenty of space to spread out and the Bistro and bar are conveniently positioned to wander in off the sand for something to eat whenever you feel like it.

 

5. Koorana Crocodile Farm

Visiting the tropic of Capricorn means you are now in crocodile country and the more you know about these fascinating apex predators the better it is for them and you. Koorana Crocodile Farm is first and foremost a farm, not a wildlife park but its multi-faceted approach to the business means that they also provide crocodile handling training to wildlife staff, safety training to those who work in and around crocodile habitats, and tours for locals and visitors.

We joined their morning tour which involves meeting several of their breeding stock from a safe distance. These big boys and their girlfriends are impressive animals, seeing them fed during the tour you appreciate how invisible they become even in shallow water close to the bank and how fast they move getting clear of the water.

The tour focuses on the animals, not the nitty-gritty of farming them, there are around 3,000 crocodiles on the farm and we meet maybe a dozen of them on the tour, almost all are fully grown. The only exception is a young crocodile brought out at the end that we had the opportunity to hold and take a photo with.

An interesting insight for me was seeing what a crocodile nest looks like, it’s not something you see in a wildlife park. You could easily mistake it for a brush turkey nest if it wasn’t for the nearby wallow to collect fresh water and a slide into the waterway.

At the right time of year, you might also witness the egg collection process on the tour, every egg must be removed and incubated, a skilled and nailbiting job to be sure but while the fencing is substantial to keep the big crocs in, the hatchlings would have no issue walking through them and into local waterways. Not the way to stay on good terms with the neighbours.

After the tour we stayed on for lunch in the restaurant, you can read more about our experience dining here and our reviews on other local restaurants around Yeppoon in this article.

6. Explore Kemp Beach

Directly southeast of the Keppel Bay Marina is the gorgeous Kemp Beach. The 2 kilometres of sand are bracketed by the Capricorn Coast National Park. At the northern end is the Double Heads section with walkways to Pebble Beach, the Rosslyn Bay lookout and Fan Rock lookout. At the southern end is the Bluff Point scenic walk with more lookouts from the summit over Bluff Rock and the Keppel Islands in the distance.

It’s a great spot for a beach day with the sheltered bay having a shallow drop off and minimal waves. Soft white sand, a backdrop of the dunes and a walk into the national park make this one hard to beat.

There are two great restaurants nearby, Beaches is across the road with their menu based around fresh organic produce from the High Valley Dawn permaculture farm and Waterline is also within easy walking distance with great food, views out over the marina and live music on a Sunday afternoon.

If you are self-catering on your travels the Rosslyn Bay Fish Market is also located on the water’s edge here with an excellent range of local fish and seafood. They are open 7-days and in addition to running their own boats, they partner with local fishermen to ensure a consistent fresh supply.

7. Chill out over coffee or brunch

Yeppoon and the surrounding Capricorn Coast have some fantastic places to eat, we’ve shared our favourites cafes and restaurants in the region in an earlier article but it really does deserve a mention here. Not only is local produce and culinary creativity high but many of these spots really are beautifully positioned to take in the best views and casual relaxed vibe.

Do click through to the full article to get all the details but brunch spots like Whisk pictured above offer an extensive and delicious menu, baristas at spots like Lure Living are as good as you’ll find in any capital city but with a spectacular beachfront location and others like Waterline Restaurant overlooking Keppel Marina are great spots for everything from a romantic dinner to a chill Sunday afternoon of live music.

8. Watch the sunrise

We always find a walk on the beach is a great way to start the day, with the motorhome parked overlooking this gorgeous stretch of sand we took the opportunity to spend as much time on it as possible. Nothing quite beats the serenity of watching the sunrise on a new day over an unending expanse of ocean.

If you really can’t get up for the sunrise, it is early in Queensland especially in summer, you can get some very pretty pastel skies from the reflected sunset in the afternoon.

9. Enjoy a BBQ with a view

There are some great picnic and BBQ facilities across the Capricorn Coast, many of them with incredible views. This one was a favourite coffee spot at The Kraken overlooking Yeppoon Main Beach with a choice of sunny or shaded tables, BBQs, toilet facilities and a zero-depth water playground for the kids.

We also love the Yeppoon Lagoons and there’s a huge bank of BBQs and picnic tables in the park next door or bring a blanket and find a spot under a shady tree. Again there are toilets and changing facilities, a children’s playground and a skate park so it’s fun for the whole family.

Another worth a mention is the BBQ and picnic facilities at the Rotary Park on Farnborough Beach, there’s also a shaded and gated children’s play area and direct access to the beach at this one. Being slightly out of the main town area you can park directly next to it which is handy if you have someone who is less mobile or just a lot of BBQ gear. The picnic pavilions are a good size if your group is a bit larger too.

I’ll link a full list of the council provided BBQ facilities and we noted without exception during our stay that they were kept clean and the areas well maintained.

 

10. Lammermoor beach and native gardens

Lammermoor Beach is less than 4km from Yeppoon but again it offers something a bit different making it worth a stop. The beach itself is a 2.5 kilometre stretch of white sand with a backdrop of dunes covered in casuarina trees and views out to the Keppel Islands. It sits between Wreck Point and the Keppel Bay Marina.

The parking, BBQ and picnic area for this one are elevated above the beach giving great views and yet it’s a very easy walk back up from the sand. You can get to Lammermoor Beach by public bus and it’s only a few minutes from Yeppoon.

Across the road from the car park is the entrance to the Lammermore native gardens, this is a 14-hectare area of native coastal forest that is maintained by a group of local volunteers. If you follow it through to the end on that side of the road you come to traffic lights, cross there and head down towards the beach and you can rejoin the gardens on that side of the road or return along the beach.

The gardens feature over 120 plant species across foreshore dunes, mangroves, littoral rainforest, melaleuca swamp, and eucalyptus woodlands with native grasses. Wildflowers bloom at various times of year bringing in butterflies and a variety of insects and 95 bird species have been recorded.

There’s no cafe or restaurant on the beachfront but plenty of options to set up your own picnic and the adorable vintage coffee caravan ‘Gather 4703’ is usually parked here. In addition to good coffee, you’ll find delicious juices and treats like cookies, doughnuts and freshly baked croissants from Keppel Bakery.

11. Self drive the Capricorn Coast food trail

Discovering fresh, locally grown food as we travel is always a tasty treat and there are plenty of options for this as you explore the Capricorn Coast region. Many, like Brooks pineapples pictured below, are a simple cart and honesty box left by the side of the road or outside the farm gates. The fruit was sweet and delicious and you can find other produce like this using the farm gate trail on the Taste Capricorn website.

Not all growers and producers are affiliated and on the list, so keep your eyes open as you drive around, we found more delicious pineapples as we headed through Tanby on the way to Keppel Sands and huge beautiful pawpaws on our way up to the Capricorn Caves. Local stores like the IGA in Yeppoon, Keppel Ko-op and Drakes in Emu Park support local growers and small batch producers too.

12. Visit a working Permaculture Farm

Permaculture is a concept that many travelling foodies are interested in and we were no exception so we made sure to inlcude the High Valley Dawn permaculture farm on our itinerary. It’s owned by Ross and Judy who also run the Rosslyn Bay Resort and adjacent Beaches Restaurant in Kemp Beach.

The permaculture concept was established by two Australians, Bill Mollison and David Holmgren in the mid-70s but by the number and diversity of people who turned up on Sunday morning for the tour, it’s clear it’s now well and truly in the mainstream.

Permaculture is about more than principles of soil health, garden structure and plant selection although you will get a good introduction to that on the tour. There are 4 fundamentals that underpin the movement as practised here at High Valley Dawn – earth care, people care, fair share and community.

The tour runs for a couple of hours as you see behind the scenes on the farm, learn about the crops, understand what the 7 levels of a food forest look like in practice, meet some of the animals and get the low down on compost.

Tours run on a Sunday morning at 9, there is no fee but a donation is appreciated. Bookings are essential and can be made online.

13. Sundowner drinks on the beach

After a day out exploring in the fresh air, we enjoy watching the sun go down with a drink before dinner. There are some great bars and restaurants to do this in Yeppoon but overlooking the beach from your holiday apartment, or in this case the motorhome might be even better.

While the sun sets in the west and the beach, of course, faces east the reflected sunset is very pretty here in the early evening as it turns the sky to hues of pastel pink and purple.

14. Sunday live music at Waterline

One of our favourite restaurants in the Yeppoon area is Waterline, it’s right on the marina and perfect for alfresco dining out in the garden or in the shelter of the patio. During our dinner here we had so much trouble narrowing down the selction of starters and share plates that we knew it had to go onto the list for a return visit.

A chill Sunday afternoon with live music, a few plates of house made dumplings and an ice cold beverage sounded to me like the perfect way to fit in a return visit. It’s also very conveniently located adjacent to the Keppel Konnections ferry that goes out to Great Keppel daily, it could be a great breakfast or easy dinner option to combine with a day on the island.

15. Street art

We noticed a dozens of street art pieces around Yeppoon and the Capricorn Coast. We’d regularly stumble upon it adorning surf clubs, toilet blocks, car parking buildings, cafes and alleyways around town. If you are a fan of the art form you’re going to want to keep your eyes peeled for some of the better hidden pieces.

I loved this fun one of Busby Marou and unfortunately just missed seeing them perform down in Bundaberg later in our trip. If they are playing somewhere you’re headed this summer make sure to check them out too.

16. Emu Park

A 15 to 20 minute drive down the coast from Yeppoon is Emu Park and it’s an area we really love. They have a fabulous ANZAC memorial that follows a coastal walkway from ANZAC Court through an open sided interpretive centre overlooking the ocean and on towards the Singing Ship memorial.

There’s a boat ramp and jetty on Fishermans beach and there’s parking here too that’s ideal if you are stopping with a motorhome or larger vehicle. The surf life saving club and most popular swimming beach is around the point on Emu Park Main Beach. There’s a fabulous little coffee shop called the Honey Bee Collective under the surf club right on the beach, grab a coffee and pull up a mat and cushions under the palm trees, it became our go-to spot down this end of the coast.

The waterfront is made up of parklands all the way along with plenty of BBQ and picnic facilities, children’s playgrounds and lookouts. There’s also a campground in Emu Park right on Fishermans beach. The little town has a range of cafes, an excellent supermarket, bakeries and other shops that supply everything you are likely to need if you’re staying here. or for an impromptu picnic if you’re not.

17. Yeppoon Community Markets

On a Saturday morning the community markets are held at the Yeppoon Showground. These are great especially if you are self-catering during your stay in the area. The markets exclusively host growers and producers so you’re sure to find the best of what is grown locally and in season.

Be prepared for an early morning start, it’s open by 6.30 am and is all over by 10.30, perhaps a little earlier if stalls are sold out. There is street parking right outside the gate and a diverse range of fruit, vegetables, honey, flowers, baked goods. jams and chutneys.

18. Chill out at your beachfront accommodation

There were a couple of holiday apartment options that I narrowed it down to in Yeppoon that are perfectly positioned close to the beach, lagoon pool and town, plus they have great reviews. Echelon Apartments are across the road from the Yeppoon Kraken waterpark, they are self contained with a pool and recreation area on the roof. The other one is Salt Yeppoon situated opposite Main Beach. Again the apartments there are modern and self contained with 2 rooftop pools.

On this trip we were in a fully self contained motorhome so we were looking for a great place to park that for a couple of weeks. The Beachside Caravan Park on Farnborough Beach in Yeppoon turned out to be perfect for us. We got this great site backing onto the beach so each night we went to sleep looking up through the skylight at the stars and listening to the sound of the waves.

It’s about a kilometre down the beach to town and all the cafes, shops and services that offers. The campground itself has plenty of clean toilets and showers, a coin operated laundry, multiple camp kitchens and BBQ facilities. They also have a booking office for local tours, some with transfers and there is a bus stop right outside that goes into town..

19. Capricorn Caves

Dating back 390-million years the Capricorn Caves in Rockhampton are part of the diversity that the Capricorn Coast region is known for. Just a 40 minute drive from Yeppoon and you arrive at the distinctive dry rainforest and karst landscape.

The main tour here is a walking tour up through the dry cave system including the magnificent acoustics of the cathedral cave but for those with adventure in mind, you can don a helmet and headlamp and squeeze through the narrow gaps to the less accessible caverns.

If you choose to stay overnight in the campground or cabins during school holidays make sure to head out for a walk at dusk to get great viewing of the flocks of little bent wing bats and wallabies grazing around the grounds.

20. Mount Archer skywalk

The Mount Archer skywalk also called the Nurim Circuit is in Rockhampton, a 40-minute drive from Yeppoon. It offers some fantastic views over the range in one direction and over the city with the river snaking through from the other side.

The drive up is easy and there is plenty of parking at the top along with short walks, picnic and BBQ areas.

The walkway extends 25 metres off the side of Mount Archer and is great at any time of day although sunrise and sunset from here are especially popular.

There really is no shortage of things to do in and around Yeppoon on the Capricorn Coast but if we’ve missed one of your favourites please do share it in the comments below.

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