The Great Keppel Island Boardwalks project is an integral part of the Great Keppel Island Concept Master Plan, aimed at improving accessibility and connectivity across key areas of the island.
The project includes the investigation and design development of three distinct boardwalk sites, providing visitors with safe, environmentally sensitive pathways to explore the island’s unique coastal landscapes.
The three proposed boardwalk sites under investigation for design are:
- Extension Along Fisherman’s Beach: Enhancing the existing pathway to improve connectivity and accessibility for visitors arriving at the Island and exploring the main beach area (approximately 600 metres).
- Fisherman’s Beach to Shelving Beach Headland: A new boardwalk that offers a scenic route along the coastline, providing opportunities to enjoy the island's natural beauty while connecting key locations (approximately 500 metres).
- Shelving Beach to Monkey Beach Headland: A boardwalk designed to link two popular beaches, enabling visitors to navigate the island safely and with minimal environmental impact along the nearby reefs (approximately 800 metres).
Image 1 of 6
Key features of the boardwalks include:
- Environmentally Sustainable Design: Use of durable, eco-friendly materials that harmonize with the island's natural surroundings.
- Improved Accessibility: Inclusive design to ensure safe and easy access for all visitors, including those with mobility challenges.
- Enhanced Visitor Experience: Integration of shaded rest areas, seating, and viewing platforms to provide spaces for relaxation and appreciation of the island's scenic views.
By creating these boardwalks, the project aims to improve the visitor experience while protecting the island’s delicate environment and promoting sustainable tourism. No commitment for construction has been made yet towards the boardwalks. An appropriate investment decision will be made at the conclusion of public engagement and design.
The contract for the Great Keppel Island Boardwalks project has been awarded to NewScape Design, an experienced landscape architecture studio specialising in natural area designs in remote locations.
Project update
On 18 March 2025, Livingstone Shire Councillors voted to continue with the detailed design phase of this project on their preferred route option. Please note, this is not a decision for construction, or for staging of works.
The preferred route option the Councillors have voted to proceed with is a trail (not a boardwalk structure) along Fisherman’s Beach as far as practical from property boundaries whilst minimising environmental impacts on the dunes, then a Class 1 boardwalk from Fisherman’s Beach headland to Shelving Beach headland, and then finally a Class 3 boardwalk from Shelving Beach to Monkey Beach headland. This reflects the wider feedback Council received from Island residents, tourists, tourism operators and mainland residents.
The next round of consultation will occur once a draft detail design has been completed. Council will then make the decision around what can feasibly be constructed and what will have to be done in a further stage if more funding becomes available.
Thank you to everyone who provided feedback about the Great Keppel Island (Woppa) Boardwalks project.
