Freedom Fast Cats
Highlights
- Explore the crystal-clear waters of Great Keppel Island, perfect for swimming and snorkelling adventures.
- Savour diverse experiences like boom-netting and scenic cruises, catering to families and thrill-seekers alike.
- Discover 17 stunning beaches and hiking trails across 1,454 hectares, ideal for outdoor enthusiasts.
- Enjoy eco-certified tours led by expert guides, providing unique insights into the Southern Great Barrier Reef.
Freedom Fast Cats, located on Queensland’s Capricorn Coast, provides daily ferry transfers and eco-certified tours to Great Keppel Island, a Southern Great Barrier Reef destination famed for crystal-clear waters and pristine white sands. In just 30 minutes from Rosslyn Bay Harbour, visitors step directly onto the beach and begin their island adventure in this true “Barefoot Paradise.”
Freedom Fast Cats have a diverse range of experiences designed for every traveller. Families, couples, and groups can enjoy laid-back scenic cruises, thrilling boom-netting, snorkelling tours, or glass-bottom boat experiences showcasing coral gardens and marine life below. With Eco Certification and the expertise of a Master Reef Guide and Marine Biologist, guests gain unique insights into the reef’s natural wonders and cultural heritage.
Great Keppel Island offers 17 beaches, hiking trails across 1,454 hectares, and snorkelling straight from the shore. Visitors can also hire snorkelling gear and kayaks, making it easy to explore the island’s bays and reefs at their own pace. Village amenities provide food, drinks, and essentials, making both day trips and overnight stays enjoyable.
As a family-owned business with reef history dating back to the 1950s, Freedom Fast Cats blends generations of local knowledge with a commitment to sustainability and accessibility, ensuring every guest feels welcome. Freedom Fast Cats invites travellers to uncover the magic of Great Keppel Island and create lasting memories.
Images and Video
Tour/s
Great Keppel Island Coral Lunch Tour
The Coral Lunch Tour by Freedom Fast Cats is the perfect way to experience the beauty of Great Keppel Island and the Southern Great Barrier Reef. Just 30 minutes from Rosslyn Bay Harbour, this relaxing tour blends reef discovery with island leisure.
Your day begins with morning tea before stepping aboard a glass-bottom boat for a guided coral viewing cruise. Led by our Marine Biologist and Master Reef Guide, you’ll gain fascinating insights into coral gardens, tropical fish, and turtles—all without even getting wet.
Back on board, enjoy a fresh buffet-style lunch featuring salads, cold meats, and seasonal fruit, with tea, coffee, cordial, and water included. In the afternoon, choose your own pace: swim in the turquoise waters, wander the island village, browse the shops, or simply sink your toes into pristine white sand.
Perfect for couples, families, and nature lovers, the Coral Lunch Tour combines comfort, education, and adventure in one unforgettable day.
Book your Coral Lunch Tour today and discover why Great Keppel Island is known as Queensland’s barefoot paradise.
Ferry Transfers to Great Keppel Island
Return Ferry Transfers are available seven days, all year round!
A short 30 minute ferry ride from Rosslyn Bay Harbour on their spacious, airconditioned and licenced catamarans and you’ll be discovering one of the best island getaways that the Southern Great Barrier Reef has to offer. Great Keppel Island is located 18km off the Capricorn Coast which makes it ideal for a day trip or extend your stay for a night or two and enjoy the sunset from under the paperbark trees on Putney Beach.
Uncover Great Keppel Island’s 17 pristine, white, sandy beaches by hiking the fabulous array of bush tracks and discover the beautiful vistas and historical homestead. Hikes on Keppel range from a leisurely stroll to difficult and challenging treks.
Snorkel directly off the beach and swim amidst the turtles, starfish, coral gardens and the amazing varieties of tropical fish and other marine life. Maybe you’ll be lucky enough to encounter a Dugong.
Watersports have you covered with your aquatic activities from snorkelling equipment, kayaks, paddle-boards and more and when hunger strikes, walk along the beachfront track to choose from 3 licensed venues.
Once you discover this spectacular island paradise you will never want to leave.
Great Keppel Island Glass Bottom Boat Cruise
Freedom Fast Cats’ glass-bottom boat tour is a quiet, relaxed alternative for those wishing to view the wonders of the reef and spectacular marine life without even getting their feet wet.
This cruise includes a glass bottom boat coral viewing tour, along with insight into the history of Great Keppel Island. The Glass Bottom Boat Tour is a great way to get up close with the coral gardens, fish and turtles that call Great Keppel Island home.
The remainder of the day is spent on Great Keppel Island. Swim in Keppel’s crystal clear waters, snorkel straight off the beach, browse the village area, enjoy lunch at one of the three licensed venues, or simply laze on the white sands soaking up the sun. Aquatic activities and the many walking tracks to discover on Great Keppel Island will keep you busy!
Great Keppel Island Adventure Tour
Pack your day full of fun and exciting activities on Freedom Fast Cats’ Adventure Tour. This is your chance to go boomnetting and snorkelling.
The day starts cruising to Great Keppel Island where upon arrival you enjoy some morning tea before heading out on the glass bottom boat. Their expert crew provides commentary as you get up close with the coral gardens, fish and turtles that call GKI home.
Time to explore GKI and discover nearby trails and beaches, the village area and swim in crystal clear waters on Fisherman’s Beach.
An Australian style BBQ lunch is served: steak, sausages, salads, bread, fruit along with a few other trimmings. Take pleasure in purchasing a wine or beer from the bar to enjoy with lunch.
Next…Keen to explore the underwater world up close and personal? Dive into the vibrant marine world as our expert crew selects the best spot. Then hold on tight for the ride of your life with our thrilling boomnetting adventure (aka the ocean spa), or simply relax on the boat as you cruise through the magnificent island bays.
Finish the day off with afternoon tea and then a cruisy ride back to the harbour.
Great Keppel Island Combo Cruise
Freedom Fast Cats’ Combo Cruise is their Monday & Tuesday special, perfect for those who are interested in viewing coral and marine life up close and personal.
This cruise includes a glass bottom boat tour where you will spend an hour drifting over reefs witnessing abundant sealife accompanied with informative commentary along with insight into the history of Great Keppel Island.
Next, snorkelling with all the equipment supplied and freedom to explore the underwater world full of fish, rays and corals. Their crew stay nearby on a dingy to answer questions and make you feel safe.
Enjoy an Aussie style sausage sizzle lunch including beef or vegetarian/vegan sausage, served on sliced bread with grilled onions and various condiments. Wash it down with a beverage from the bar or with complimentary tea, coffee, water or cordial.
Have time to explore GKI and discover nearby trails and beaches, walk around the village area or swim in crystal clear waters on Fisherman’s Beach. Tired? Relax and soak up sunshine on pristine white sands.
End the day with a cruisy trip back to the mainland.
They do have a 9am departure in addition to the 10.30am. Just means you have more time on GKI!
Disabled access available, contact operator for details.
Accreditations
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ECO Certified (Ecotourism) by Ecotourism Australia
Memberships
- Regional Tourist/Tourism Association/Organisation
- Visitor Information Centre
- QLD – Capricorn Tourism