Yeppoon wave pool tourism improvement would flip Surf Lakes web site into ‘the last word surf getaway’

Perfect waves, diving and luxury accommodations all year round; It’s a local’s visa for Yeppoon that he hopes will change the surfing culture in central Queensland.

Important points:

• Surf Lakes submitted a development proposal to create “the ultimate surfing vacation”.
• The development includes accommodations, a plunge pool, and other recreational centers and is expected to bring $ 39 million to the area each year
• A local tourism and development group says the expansion could bring a new wave of tourists to the area

Aaron Trevis’s Surf Lakes site has already caught the attention of Mark Occhilupo for its wave generation technology.

The company’s latest development application extends that vision of transforming the site with boutique accommodations, a plunge pool, aquapark, and campsites to create “the ultimate surfing vacation”.

Economic projections predict the finished product will gross the region $ 39.4 million each year.

Local tourism and development group Capricorn Enterprise said the development would fill a void in the regional market.

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Bed, breakfast and surf breaks

As part of the development application, 52 cabins, 100 caravan or camping sites, a boutique hotel with 75 beds and a café would be added to the existing wave pool.

A master plan for a new development to turn the Surf Lakes site into an international surf vacation. (

Delivered: Surf Lakes

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A plunge pool, a skate park, a mountain bike pumping track as well as an overflow lake, a village square and a solar park are also part of the site.

Surf Lake’s proposal divides the development into two phases, with the first focusing on the commercial opening of the wave pool, enabling short-term housing, and the solar family.

Campsites and accommodation would be added gradually, with the hotel, aquapark, village square and other important developments being part of the second stage.

Redefine surfing culture

An avid surfer, born and raised in Yeppoon, Mr Trevis said he learned to surf at Farnborough Beach in Yeppoon but reached a stage in his life where local breaks just couldn’t have made it.

The overall master plan of a development application to expand the Surf Lakes location in Yeppoon. (

Delivered: Surf Lakes

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“There are a lot of waves there but they just aren’t very aggressive waves so they are easy to learn,” he said.

“It’s typical of wind effects and a bit smaller than Agnes (Waters) and further south.”

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Mr Trevis said the region has a large existing surfing community that he wanted to tap into.

“On a good day at Farnborough Beach there are 200 four-wheel drives on the beach,” he said.

“It would be amazingly satisfying to build on the surf culture.

“We’re very interested in getting school groups and school camps, disabled surfers and even elderly care groups to learn to surf because it’s just so exciting and a really healthy, healthy sport.”

The Surf Lakes wave pool creates five wave levels that range from beginners to professionals.

A machine moves up and down the lake to create waves that fan out and react with an artificial reef. (

ABC News: Rachel McGhee

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Seq Q Boardriders President and local surfer Mark Korotcoff said the group was excited about the proposal.

“We always like to surf in the ocean, but as we know, the ocean doesn’t always cooperate,” he said.

“Having a wave pool and having regular access to it will definitely help young surfers improve and keep everyone else happy when there aren’t any waves in the ocean.”

Tourism potential

Mr Trevis said Surf Lakes also has an international market in mind and is packaging travel deals for surfers going overseas.

“You could raise the family too … everyone gets waves of their skills,” he said.

“It means you can have a real family surf vacation where everyone wins.

“The studies show it could be the biggest in tourism for the Capricorn Coast.”

The pool is designed to generate a series of breaks that vary in speed and size for all skills. (

Delivered: Surf Lakes

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Economic modeling suggests that the first phase will generate $ 22.4 million each year through 2026.

In phase two, this production is to be increased to USD 39.4 million and 229 jobs will be created by 2031.

Capricorn Enterprise’s chief executive officer, Mary Carroll, said if approved, the development could attract a new group of tourists to the Capricorn Coast.

“Wave pools around the world have attracted a new clientele or visitor market,” she said.

“This is absolutely what would happen in this destination, with this wave pool attracting visitors not only domestically but internationally as well.

“When we get out of COVID and international borders reopen such a product in a small destination like Yeppoon and Capricorn Coast, it will be a real asset for us.”