Capricorn Coast - Geography

Geography

The Capricorn Coast features long sweeping beaches with shallow seas, dotted with rocky outcrops, the remnants of long-extinct volcanoes. The soil inland is red which is well suited to the many fruit crops growing in the area, while pockets of darker soils and clays are more suitable for grazing. In the north, the hills rise to form the Byfield Range which is home to stands of virgin rainforest.

Yeppoon is by far the largest town on the Capricorn Coast, having a population of 16,374 people in 2006. Approximately 20 kilometres south is the next largest town Emu Park with a population of 2,788 in 2006. Yeppoon and Emu Park are joined by the Scenic Highway which hugs a coastline dotted with coves and beaches and headlands. These headlands are the remnants of volcanic trachyte plugs and have allowed the formation of shallow beaches. The two towns are also linked by the Western Yeppoon-Emu Park Road (also called Tanby Road South), which is a newer inland route developed to keep up with the Capricorn Coast's rapid growth.

Further south, separated by the broad mouth of Coorooman Creek, lies Keppel Sands. While the township is small having a population of 318 in 2006, its relative isolation makes Keppel Sands a significant community centre for people living in the surrounding rural areas of Joskeleigh, Coowonga, Tungamull, and Cawarral.

Directly offshore and visible from most seaside towns on the Capricorn Coast is the popular tourist destination, Great Keppel Island. Dozens of smaller islands and atolls also dot the coastline.