Our Beaches
Livingstone Shire is home to many beautiful beaches which are popular amongst residents and visitors. Our beaches are a great place to enjoy time with friends and family or just to unwind on your own.
All abilities beach accesses are available for residents and visitors to use including; Emu Park Main Beach, Keppel Sands (KS1) and Yeppoon Main Beach. Council is currently planning to roll out more all abilities ramps across the Shire in future budgets.
-
-
Dogs can be off leash on all beaches before 8AM and after 4PM daily unless otherwise indicated, however it is important to remember it is the owner’s responsibility to monitor the behaviour of their dog and ensure it does not cause a nuisance or become aggressive to other people or dogs.
Beaches in Livingstone Shire are not four-wheel drive accessible unless otherwise signed. Please remember to take all rubbish with you when you leave the beach to keep Livingstone’s coast beautiful!
For more information about taking care of our beaches, head to our Living on the Coast page.
-
Livingstone Shire is home to several stunning coastal National Parks including Capricorn Coast National Park, Byfield State Forest and Byfield National Park (including Five Rocks and Nine Mile Beaches), and sections of the Great Barrier Reef marine Park. Head to the Department of Environment and Science to find out more about these parks.
-
Vehicle access to beaches in the Livingstone Shire is a privilege that we all can enjoy. Vehicles accessing boat ramps on beaches are limited to travel only 50 metres on each side of the ramp and permitted on the beaches only for the launch or retrieval of boats. On-the-spot fines do apply so please be considerate and use designated beaches appropriately.
Farnborough Beach (01 Nov 2022 - 31 January 2023)
Commencing 1 November 2022, and to help mitigate the negative impact on the environment and residents, a ‘temporary road closure’ will be effective from 8:00pm to 4:00am (7) seven days a week for a three (3) month trial. Once the trial is completed formal stakeholder and community consultation will occur to help provide intel into community thoughts regarding the continuance or permanency of the trial. The road closure applies to motorised vehicular traffic only, pedestrians and non-motorised traffic will continue to have full access to Farnborough Beach, all hours. More information can be found at getinvolved.qld.gov.au
Further information can be obtained by reading the Subordinate Local Law No.4 Local Government Controlled Areas, Facilities and Roads from our website.
For more information about taking care of our beaches, head to our Living on the Coast page.
-
Keppel Sands Main Beach can be accessed via Schofield Parade (a one-way street). There is parking, toilets, and barbeque facilities at both the northern and southern end of Schofield Parade. There are a number of beach accesses along Schofield Parade. Be sure to plan your trip as most of the beach is not accessible at high tide. While in Keppel Sands, enjoy a walk around Musa Head, stop for lunch at a café, and enjoy the relaxed coastal atmosphere of Keppel Sands.
-
The communities of Zilzie and Emu Park are home to several stunning beaches, including:
-
Muskers Beach, which is accessible via Sophie’s Way, Sandy Lane, and Kennedy Street. There is parking and a boat ramp at the Kennedy Street entrance.
-
Zilzie Beach, which can be accessed via the Esplanade. Parking and toilets are available at the northern end, and picnic tables can be used at Hock Park at the southern end of the beach.
-
Emu Park Main Beach is a popular beach which is patrolled by the Emu Park Surf Life Saving Club on Saturday afternoons and Sundays from mid-September to Labour Day. There is a car park, playground, barbecues, picnic tables, toilets and showers at the beach, which can be accessed by Keppel Street. A number of shops and cafes are within easy walking distance from Emu Park Main Beach. The Singing Ship and Centenary of Anzac Memorial Walk are also nearby and are must-see attractions while in Emu Park.
-
Fisherman’s Beach lies seaward of Bell Park and is another popular beach in Emu Park. Fisherman’s Beach can be accessed from the eastern end of Hill Street, where a boat ramp is located, or via footpaths within Bell Park. Parking and toilets are available in Bell Park. A playground, barbecues, and picnic tables are also available for public use within Bell Park, and the Emu Park Library is easily accessible from there. Dogs can be walked off leash at all times on Fisherman’s Beach from the beach access 150 metres north of Bell Park to Tanby Point with access via Hill Street excluding weekends and public holidays.
-
Tanby Point Beach is a quieter retreat in Emu Park and can be accessed via Haven Road where a car park and picnic table are available.
-
-
The stretch of coast between Emu Park and Yeppoon includes magnificent sandy beaches, including:
-
Kinka Beach, which runs from the mouth of Shoalwater Creek to the outlet of the Causeway Lake and is accessible from Scenic Highway or Coolwaters Esplanade. Public toilets are available at the western side of Scenic Highway at the Causeway Lake. A walk on the beach followed by fish and chips or a coffee at the Causeway is a great way to spend a day in Livingstone Shire. Kayaks, stand up paddleboards, paddleboats and more can be hired at the Causeway Lake.
-
Mulambin Beach runs parallel to Scenic Highway and can be accessed at several points on this road. There are several car parking areas and toilets are available at the Causeway Lake. Picnic tables and barbeques are also available for public use at several points adjacent to Mulambin Beach.
-
Kemp Beach runs from Capricorn Coast National Park in the south to Rosslyn Bay in the north and can be accessed via Scenic Highway or Vin E Jones Memorial Drive. Toilets are available at the southern end, which is also where Capricorn Coast National Park (Bluff Point section) is accessed. A 2.3km circuit provides stunning views of Mulambin and Kemp Beach and turtles, dolphins, and other animals can often be seen from the multiple lookouts along the track. There are also several walking tracks at Rosslyn Bay at the northern end of Kemp Beach – these can be accessed from the parking lot at the top of Shoreline Close.
-
-
Great Keppel Island is home to several spectacular beaches. The island can be reached via boats which depart from Rosslyn Bay Marina. Fisherman’s Beach and Putney Beach can be easily reached from the arrival area, but most other beaches require either a lengthy walk or private boat. The condition of walking tracks is variable and they are not generally recommended for inexperienced walkers. Visitors to the island should come prepared: there is limited accommodation, few supplies, and restricted telecommunications capabilities on Great Keppel Island. Information about walking tracks and things to see and do on the island can be found at the here.
-
Stanage Bay includes several outstanding beaches. These beaches are all accessible via Stanage Bay Road. Presently this road is only recommended for four-wheel drive vehicles and all visitors should come well prepared – there is limited accommodation, few supplies, and restricted telecommunications capabilities in Stanage. The drive from the Bruce Highway turn-off onto Stanage Bay Road is approximately 95km and takes between 1.5 and 2 hours.
-
Closer to the heart of Yeppoon, the beaches of Lammermoor and Cooee Bay provide excellent facilities and are ideal for picnics, walking, and relaxing. These beaches include:
-
Lammermoor Beach can be accessed from multiple points along Scenic Highway. Public toilets, parking, showers, barbecues, and picnic tables are available for use at Lioness Park (approximately halfway along Lammermoor Beach and accessible via Scenic Highway). While visiting Lammermoor Beach, check out the Lammermoor Native Gardens – a 14ha reserve to the west and east side of Scenic Highway which showcases stunning native vegetation and a variety of wildlife.
-
Cooee Bay Beach can be accessed via Matthew Flinders Drive and parking is available at Daniel Park and adjacent to the beach access. Public toilets, barbecues, picnic tables, and a playground are also available at Daniel Park.
-
-
The centre of Yeppoon and suburbs to the north provide access to several superb beaches, including:
-
Yeppoon Main Beach can be accessed from many points along Lagoon Place and Anzac Parade in central Yeppoon. Public toilets are located at the Yeppoon Lagoon, Appleton Park, by the stage area, and at the Yeppoon Surf Life Saving Club. The beach is patrolled by the Yeppoon Surf Life Saving Club from September until April Saturday 1PM – 5PM and Sunday 9AM – 5PM as well as public holidays. Make the most of the free Yeppoon Lagoon and Keppel Kraken, or enjoy the variety of cafes, shops, and restaurants within easy walking distance from Yeppoon Main Beach. Keep an eye on our events calendar to catch the next event at the foreshore.
-
Farnborough Beach (south) is approximately 400m north of central Yeppoon and includes foreshore parks, creeks and rivulets, and a range of plant and animal species. The beach can be accessed from several points along Farnborough Road. Public toilets are available near access #9 and further south at Rotary Park. Barbeques, picnic tables, and a playground are also available for use at Rotary Park. From Barwell’s Creek (north of access #14) to the Bangalee Beach Boat Ramp, dogs can be off-leash at all times.
-
Farnborough Beach (Bangalee beach access) is accessed via Hinz Avenue, there is limited parking and no other facilities available. This access is popular with 4WD vehicles as it provides direct access onto the beach for traveling to the north only.
-