La Bougainville

Learn about Central Queensland’s indigenous cultures with a visit to the heritage-listed Sandhills Historical South Sea Islander Cemetery, right across the road from the campground. Less than 10 minutes’ walk away, you’ll come across the Joskeleigh South Sea Islander Museum, a compact museum with displays highlighting the importance of native workers to the local sugar-cane industry. Begin your exploration of the geography of the region on wetland hiking and cycling trails through Keppel Sands Conservation Park (five minutes’ drive). You can organise sea-fishing charters at low-key Keppel Sands township (10 minutes), where there’s also a beach backed with grills for barbecues overlooking the Coral Sea. On family-friendly days out, you have a triumvirate of animal attractions to try: visit Koorana Crocodile Farm (10 minutes) to see crocs being fed, or head to Cooberrie Park Wildlife Sanctuary (40 minutes) for encounters with rescued kangaroos and koalas. For an introduction to more endemic animals, there are wombats, dingoes and endangered cassowary birds in spacious enclosures at Rockhampton Botanic Gardens and Zoo (also 40 minutes).