Family holidays can be a tricky affair. While adults visualise swaying hammocks, cool breezes and the soothing sounds of a lapping shoreline, kids want action. Queensland’s Capricorn region, which straddles the Tropic of Capricorn, ticks the boxes on everyone’s wish list.
The Capricorn region is one great big family playground. Its gateway is Rockhampton, home to the giant Brahman bull which sends a clear message to visitors that beef is a big part of this town. But that’s not all there is to “Rocky”. The tropical Botanic Gardens is a great place to start your Capricorn holiday. Take a good book to read under a palm tree while the kids run riot in the playground and explore the Gardens’ zoo.
Next stop should be the Capricorn Caves. These spectacular caves located north of Rockhampton are a unique system of above‐ground caves in a limestone ridge. While you have to book ahead for the two-hour Family Adventure Caving experience, it is worthwhile. The kids will love the little bats and other cave critters.
Grab a coffee then jump in the car and head to the coastal town of Yeppoon, just 40 minutes-drive east from Rockhampton. The village has become a popular residential option for families that work in Rockhampton and is the gateway to Great Keppel and the surrounding islands.
The Capricorn Resort Yeppoon is the best bet for a holiday experience that offers fun activities for all ages. The resort was developed by a Japanese entrepreneur, Mr Yohachiro Iwasaki, in the 1980s and it is set on 20 kilometres of coral reef coastline. The expansive resort is surrounded by 22,000 acres of teeming wetlands, a large slice of grazing land and two international golf courses.
The resort kid’s club has a daily chalk board itinerary packed with games and activities to keep the children safe and happy. There’s beach cricket, archery, soccer, football, mini golf, table tennis, volley ball, and the list goes on. And it’s all free.
Mum and Dad won’t get bored either. There’s lying by the pool with a book, lying by the pool with a cocktail and just plain snoozing by the pool. An active option is a stroll along the secluded beach that fronts the resort.
You can wind up the speedometer on horseback with a guided beach ride. There is a pony or horse to suit every member of the family and your guide will do a quick skills and personality match to make sure both steed and jockey are compatible.
Spend the final night of your stay at the resort’s elegant Japanese restaurant. It may not be standard children’s fare but it will introduce them to a different dining culture prepared and presented in very traditional way.
There is a load more family fun to be had on the Capricorn region – there’s islands to explore and gemfields to dig, but just being able to spend time with your kids and have a few laughs and relax without it costing the earth, guarantees a great getaway.
Getting there:
By air ‐ There are multiple daily flights to Rockhampton from Brisbane, and direct flights from
Sydney, Melbourne and Townsville. QantasLink, Virgin Blue and Qantas fly to
Rockhampton.
By road – The Capricorn region is 700 kilometres north of Brisbane and 530 kilometres south of the
Whitsundays.
More info: www.queensland.com; www.capricornholidays.com.au, www.capricornresort.com.au,
