Emu Park: Beaches, History and the Sound of the Singing Ship

Emu Park combines beach experiences with insights into local history and a distinctive sound sculpture. From here, the view stretches across the Keppel Bay islands, including Great Keppel Island. At the Singing Ship, history can be seen and heard: its design represents the billowing sails, mast and rigging of Cook’s ship, the Endeavour. Hidden organ pipes produce musical sounds in the sea breeze.

Beaches with different access options

Emu Park Main Beach offers beach access with few barriers, suitable for people of all abilities. Shops and cafés are an easy walk away. To visit Fisherman’s Beach, you can reach it from the eastern end of Hill Street or via walking paths through Bell Park. The Festival of the Wind is a family kite festival featuring kite flying at Fisherman’s Beach. To visit Tanby Point Beach, follow Haven Road; there is a car park and a picnic table at the beach.

The Emu Park Picnic Markets are also held in Bell Park, on the third Sunday of each month. Beach destinations and a visit to the markets are therefore separate activities to consider when planning your stay. When choosing holiday accommodation, you can decide whether to focus your days more on the beaches or on the town’s history and experiences.

Local history and maritime collections

The Emu Park Museum on Hill Street features exhibitions on local history. Its Maritime Museum includes ship models ranging from early vessels to the Endeavour and Victory, as well as models of modern warships and merchant ships. The museum also provides information brochures and leaflets, and offers research assistance on former residents and historical events in and around Emu Park.

In town, the Emu Park Memorial Cenotaph commemorates the soldiers from Emu Park who served in the First World War: the white-painted obelisk was erected in 1921 and displays their honour rolls. Those interested in further aspects of local history can follow the Emu Park Historical Trail. QR codes at Eric the Emu and his family of 20 guide visitors on a walk through the town. A brochure with a map of the stops is available at the Emu Park Museum.

Memorial walk, views and waterfront discoveries

The Singing Ship commemorates the historic explorations of Captain James Cook. A lookout platform and a timber walkway below the Singing Ship are part of the Centenary of ANZAC Memorial Walk. The ANZAC precinct also includes the self-guided Gatehouse Interpretation Centre, a memorial walk and a timber walkway to the adjacent headland escarpment. This means that, alongside museum visits, paths and memorial sites are also central to the town’s history.

For families, the Kerr Park playground is a specific place to visit: it is located on the Emu Park foreshore. Together with the markets, beaches and historical trail, it offers a range of options for different interests, without limiting a stay to just one kind of outing. When looking for holiday accommodation, you can first decide which experiences are most important for your trip.

More destinations

Discover more destinations here: Mount Walker, Heron Island, Blacks Beach, Julia Creek, Rathdowney, The Gemfields, Kenilworth and Redgate.

For the overview of the wider region: Queensland.